Ingham and Child Support Registrar (Child support)

The Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) considered the dispute between Ingham and the Child Support Registrar concerning a review of a decision made by the Registrar regarding the percentage of care for a child. The core of the disagreement centred on whether there had been a change to the likely pattern of care, which had led to the revocation of existing percentage of care determinations and the making of new ones.

The Tribunal was required to determine whether the Registrar's decision to revoke the existing percentage of care determinations and make new ones was justified. Specifically, the Tribunal had to assess whether the evidence supported a finding that there had been a change to the likely pattern of care, and whether the Registrar had correctly applied the relevant provisions of the *Child Support (Registration and Collection) Act 1988* (Cth) in making the new determinations. The Tribunal also considered whether an interim period should apply and whether the applicant had taken reasonable action.

The Tribunal affirmed the Registrar's decision, finding that the evidence demonstrated a change in the likely pattern of care. The Tribunal was satisfied that the applicant had not taken reasonable action to maintain the previous care arrangements. Consequently, the Tribunal concluded that the revocation of the existing determinations and the making of new ones were appropriate under the Act. The Tribunal's decision was to affirm the decision under review.