Dyer and Dyer (Child support)

This matter concerned an appeal by the applicant, Dyer, against a decision of the Child Support Registrar. The dispute centred on the percentage of care attributed to each party for their child, with the Registrar having revoked existing percentage of care determinations and made new ones. The applicant sought to introduce further evidence and submissions after the hearing had concluded.

The primary legal issues before the court were whether the Registrar erred in revoking the existing percentage of care determinations and making new ones, and whether the Registrar was correct in refusing the applicant leave to provide post-hearing submissions and evidence. The court was required to consider the relevant provisions of the *Child Support (Registration and Collection) Act 1988* (Cth) concerning changes to the likely pattern of care.

The court affirmed the Registrar's decision, finding that there had been a change to the likely pattern of care that justified the revocation of existing determinations and the making of new ones. The court also found that the Registrar had not erred in refusing the applicant leave to provide post-hearing submissions and evidence, as the applicant had not demonstrated exceptional circumstances to warrant such a departure from usual procedure. The principles applied related to the court's power to review administrative decisions and the criteria for varying percentage of care assessments.