MSQT and Child Support Registrar

The Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) considered the jurisdiction of the Social Security and Child Support Division (SSCD) in the matter of MSQT and the Child Support Registrar. The applicant, MSQT, sought to challenge a decision made by the Child Support Registrar to refuse an extension of time for MSQT to lodge an objection.

The central legal issue before the AAT was whether the SSCD possessed the jurisdiction to review a decision by the Child Support Registrar that refused an application for an extension of time to lodge an objection.

The AAT determined that it did not have jurisdiction to review the Registrar's decision. The AAT reasoned that the relevant legislation, specifically section 104 of the *Child Support (Registration and Collection) Act 1988* (Cth), did not confer jurisdiction on the SSCD to review decisions made by the Registrar concerning extensions of time for lodging objections. Such decisions were considered administrative in nature and not subject to merits review by the Tribunal.

Consequently, the application before the AAT was dismissed for want of jurisdiction.