Auberton and Child Support Registrar (Child support)

This matter concerned an appeal by Auberton against a decision of the Child Support Registrar. The dispute centred on the Registrar's assessment of Auberton's child support liability, specifically concerning the treatment of certain payments made by Auberton.

The primary legal issue before the court was whether payments made by Auberton to his former partner, which were designated as being for the benefit of their child, should be credited against his assessed child support liability. Auberton contended that these payments, made outside the formal child support scheme, should be recognised and offset against his obligations.

The court considered the provisions of the *Child Support (Registration and Collection) Act 1988* (Cth) and relevant case law. It was held that the Act establishes a comprehensive scheme for the assessment and collection of child support, and that payments made directly to a payee, outside of this scheme, generally do not discharge a payer's statutory liability. The court reasoned that to allow such offsets would undermine the integrity and predictability of the child support system. The Registrar's decision was therefore upheld.