Osborn and Child Support Registrar (Child support)

The matter of *Osborn and Child Support Registrar* concerned an appeal to the Federal Circuit Court of Australia regarding a decision made by the Child Support Registrar. The appellant, Mr Osborn, sought to challenge the Registrar's assessment of child support payable for his two children.

The primary legal issue before the Court was whether the Registrar had erred in refusing to accept Mr Osborn's objection to the child support assessment. Specifically, the Court was required to determine if Mr Osborn had established a departure from the child support formula, as provided for under the *Child Support (Registration and Collection) Act 1988* (Cth), that would justify a departure from the assessed amount.

Judge Jensen M found that Mr Osborn had failed to demonstrate that the child support formula did not make proper or adequate provision for the children. The Court applied the principles established in the *Child Support (Registration and Collection) Act 1988* (Cth), which require a party seeking a departure from the formula to prove that the formula's outcome is unjust or inequitable in the circumstances. As Mr Osborn did not present sufficient evidence to satisfy this threshold, his objection was not upheld.

Consequently, the Court dismissed Mr Osborn's appeal and affirmed the decision of the Child Support Registrar.