Dunsford and Dunsford (Child support)

This matter concerned an appeal by the liable parent, Mr Dunsford, against a departure determination made by the Registrar of Child Support. The dispute centred on the Registrar's assessment of Mr Dunsford's income and financial resources, specifically in relation to benefits derived from his business and income from a family trust, for the purpose of calculating child support liability. The appeal was heard by the Child Support Registrar.

The primary legal issue before the Registrar was whether the Registrar had erred in making the departure determination, and if so, whether the determination should be set aside and substituted with a new one. This required the Registrar to consider the extent to which Mr Dunsford's income, property, and financial resources, including those derived from his business and the family trust, should be taken into account when assessing his child support obligations.

The Registrar reviewed the evidence and the Registrar's previous decision. The Registrar found that the previous decision had failed to adequately consider the benefits Mr Dunsford derived from his business and the income from the family trust. Applying the principles of the *Child Support (Registration and Collection) Act 1988*, the Registrar determined that these resources were relevant to Mr Dunsford's capacity to pay child support. Consequently, the Registrar set aside the original departure determination and substituted it with a new determination that reflected a more accurate assessment of Mr Dunsford's financial position.