Phelps and Phelps (Child support)

The matter of *Phelps and Phelps* concerned an appeal to the Child Support Registrar regarding an administrative assessment of child support. The appellant, Mr Phelps, sought to challenge the Registrar's decision to estimate his income for the purposes of the child support assessment.

The primary legal issue before the Registrar was whether the estimate of Mr Phelps' income was reasonable and should have been made, or if it should have been refused. This involved considering the evidence available regarding Mr Phelps' income and the circumstances under which an estimate is permissible under the *Child Support (Registration and Collection) Act 1988*.

The Registrar's reasoning focused on the provisions of the *Child Support (Registration and Collection) Act 1988* that permit the estimation of a liable parent's income when sufficient information is not provided. The Registrar found that Mr Phelps had failed to provide adequate documentation to substantiate his claimed income, thereby justifying the use of an estimated figure. The decision under review was set aside and substituted with a new assessment based on the estimated income.