Goodridge and Goodridge (Child support)

This matter concerned an appeal to the Child Support Special Powers Division of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia regarding a departure determination. The applicants, Mr Goodridge and Mrs Goodridge, sought to challenge a decision made by the Registrar concerning child support payments.

The central legal issue before the court was whether the Registrar had erred in their assessment of the income and financial resources of the parties, particularly in relation to business income, when making the departure determination. The court was required to consider the appropriate period for which the departure determination should apply.

The court reviewed the evidence presented regarding the parties' financial circumstances, including the income derived from their respective businesses. It applied the principles of the *Child Support (Registration and Collection) Act 1988* concerning the assessment of income for child support purposes, paying close attention to the specific provisions relating to business income and the circumstances under which a departure from the standard assessment is warranted. The court found that the Registrar's decision contained errors in the assessment of income and the period of the departure.

Consequently, the court set aside the Registrar's decision and substituted its own determination, adjusting the child support assessment to reflect the corrected financial circumstances and a revised period of departure.