Cowell and Child Support Registrar (Child support)

The Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) considered the dispute between Cowell and the Child Support Registrar concerning the percentage of care arrangements for a child. The Registrar had made new determinations revoking existing percentage of care determinations and making new ones, which Cowell sought to have reviewed.

The primary legal issue before the Tribunal was whether there had been a change to the likely pattern of care for the child that would warrant the revocation and making of new percentage of care determinations. The Tribunal also had to consider whether the Registrar had properly exercised their discretion in revoking the existing determinations and making new ones.

The Tribunal reasoned that while the cost percentages had not changed, the Registrar was empowered to revoke existing percentage of care determinations and make new ones if satisfied that there had been a change in the likely pattern of care. The Tribunal affirmed the Registrar's decision, finding that the Registrar had acted within their powers and that the new determinations were appropriate based on the evidence before them.