Keller and Keller (Child support)

This matter concerned an appeal by the father, Mr Keller, against a decision of the Child Support Registrar concerning the percentage of care for the parties' child. The dispute centred on whether there had been a change to the likely pattern of care for the child that would warrant a reassessment of the existing care percentages.

The primary legal issue before the court was whether the Registrar had erred in affirming the existing percentage of care, which had been determined based on the previous assessment. Specifically, the court had to consider whether the evidence presented demonstrated a significant and ongoing change in the child's living arrangements that would justify a departure from the established care pattern.

The court affirmed the Registrar's decision, finding that the evidence did not establish a change to the likely pattern of care. The legal principle applied was that a reassessment of care percentages under the *Child Support (Registration and Collection) Act 1988* requires proof of a change in the *likely* future pattern of care, not merely a temporary or isolated deviation from the established routine. The court was satisfied that the existing pattern of care remained the likely one, and therefore no alteration was warranted.