Gardner and Child Support Registrar (Child support)

This matter concerned an appeal by Gardner against a decision of the Child Support Registrar regarding the percentage of care for the parties' child. The dispute centred on whether there had been a change to the likely pattern of care and, if so, the date from which that change should take effect. The appeal was heard by P Jensen M.

The primary legal issue before the court was to determine whether the Registrar's decision, which affirmed a previous assessment, was correct in light of the evidence presented regarding the child's care arrangements. Specifically, the court had to consider the impact of a change in the pattern of care and the consequences of neither parent notifying the Registrar of this change within the prescribed 28-day period.

The court affirmed the Registrar's decision, finding that the evidence did not establish a change to the likely pattern of care that would warrant an alteration to the existing assessment. The court applied the principles of the *Child Support (Registration and Collection) Act 1988* concerning the notification of changes in care. It was held that the failure of either parent to notify the Registrar of any change in care within 28 days of its occurrence meant that the existing assessment remained in effect.