Faaborg and Taffet (Child support)

The matter of *Faaborg and Taffet* concerned an application to review a departure determination made by the Child Support Registrar. The applicant, Faaborg, sought to set aside the Registrar's decision, which had been made in response to an application by Taffet. The dispute centred on the assessment of child support obligations.

The primary legal issues before the court were whether the Registrar had erred in making the departure determination, and if so, whether the court should substitute its own decision. Specifically, the court was required to consider the grounds for departure under the *Child Support (Registration and Collection) Act 1988* (Cth), including the high costs associated with enabling a parent to spend time with a child and high childcare costs in relation to the child. The court also had to assess the income, property, and financial resources of both parents, and whether there had been a failure to fully and frankly disclose financial circumstances.

The court found that the Registrar's decision was affected by an error, particularly in relation to the assessment of the parties' financial circumstances and the failure of one party to provide full and frank disclosure. Applying the principles of the *Child Support (Registration and Collection) Act 1988* (Cth), the court determined that the circumstances warranted a departure from the standard assessment. The court considered the specific costs and financial positions of both Faaborg and Taffet in reaching its conclusion.

The court set aside the departure determination made by the Child Support Registrar and substituted its own decision regarding child support.