Darwin and Ledger (Child support)

This matter concerned an application for a departure determination under the *Child Support (Registration and Collection) Act 1988* (Cth). The applicant, Darwin, sought to depart from the assessed child support amount payable by Ledger, the respondent, on the grounds of Ledger's income, property, and financial resources. The decision reviewed was made by the Registrar.

The primary legal issue before the Tribunal was whether the Registrar's decision to depart from the assessment was justified. This required the Tribunal to consider whether the grounds for departure were established and, if so, whether the departure decision itself was appropriate in all the circumstances.

The Tribunal found that the grounds for departure were established, specifically in relation to Ledger's income, property, and financial resources. The Tribunal then reviewed the Registrar's decision to depart and, finding it to be erroneous, set aside the original decision. The Tribunal substituted its own decision, departing from the assessment.