Burchet and Gooche (Child support)

This matter concerned an appeal by Burchet (the applicant) against a decision of the Child Support Registrar concerning the percentage of care for the parties' child. The dispute centred on whether there had been a change to the likely pattern of care for the child, which would justify revoking existing percentage of care determinations and making new ones. The applicant sought to have the existing determinations revoked and new determinations made, arguing that the pattern of care had changed.

The primary legal issue before the court was whether the Registrar had erred in revoking the existing percentage of care determinations and making new ones without applying an interim period. The court was required to consider the relevant provisions of the *Child Support (Registration and Collection) Act 1988* (Cth) and the *Child Support (Assessment) Act 1989* (Cth) concerning changes to the pattern of care and the application of interim periods.

The court affirmed the Registrar's decision, finding that the Registrar had correctly determined that there had been a change to the likely pattern of care. The court reasoned that the legislative framework did not mandate the application of an interim period in circumstances where a change to the likely pattern of care was established. The Registrar was entitled to revoke the existing determinations and make new ones based on the changed pattern of care. The court found no error in the Registrar's assessment.