Marris and Child Support Registrar (Child support)

This matter concerned an appeal to the Federal Circuit Court of Australia regarding a decision of the Child Support Registrar. The appeal was brought by the father, Mr Marris, against the Registrar's determination of the percentage of care for the parties' child. The Registrar had revoked existing percentage of care determinations and made new ones, which the father sought to have set aside.

The primary legal issue before the Court was whether there had been a change to the likely pattern of care for the child, which would justify the revocation of existing percentage of care determinations and the making of new ones. The Court was required to consider the evidence presented regarding the actual care arrangements and the likely future care arrangements for the child.

In reaching its decision, the Court analysed the evidence concerning the day-to-day care of the child, including the periods of residence with each parent and the practicalities of the proposed care arrangements. The Court applied the principles of the *Child Support (Registration and Collection) Act 1988* (Cth) concerning changes to the pattern of care, considering whether the evidence demonstrated a significant and ongoing shift in the child's living arrangements. The Court found that the evidence supported a change in the likely pattern of care.

The Court ordered that the appeal be allowed, the decision under review be set aside, and substituted with a new determination of the percentage of care.