Hendry and Pooke (Child support)

This matter concerned an appeal to the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia regarding child support assessments. The parties, identified as Hendry and Pooke, disputed the percentage of care arrangements for their child. The primary issue was whether there had been a change to the likely pattern of care that would warrant a revocation of existing percentage of care determinations and the making of new ones.

The court was required to determine whether the Registrar of the Child Support Agency had erred in revoking the existing percentage of care determinations and making new ones, despite the absence of a formal care arrangement. Specifically, the court had to consider if the evidence supported a finding that the likely pattern of care had changed to such an extent that the existing determinations were no longer accurate.

Justice Longo M affirmed the decision under review, finding that the Registrar had correctly determined that there had been a change to the likely pattern of care. The court applied the principles of the *Child Support (Registration and Collection) Act 1988*, focusing on the assessment of the actual and likely future care arrangements for the child. The absence of a formal agreement did not preclude the Registrar from making a determination based on the observed and anticipated care patterns.