Rainforth and Child Support Registrar (Child support)

This matter concerned an appeal to the Full Federal Court of Australia by the applicant, Rainforth, against a decision of the Child Support Registrar. The dispute centred on the percentage of care arrangements for the parties' child, with the Registrar having revoked existing percentage of care determinations and made new ones.

The primary legal issue before the Full Court was whether the Registrar had erred in revoking the existing percentage of care determinations and making new ones, specifically concerning whether there had been a change to the likely pattern of care. The court was required to consider the evidence presented regarding the actual and likely future care arrangements for the child.

The Full Court affirmed the Registrar's decision, finding that the evidence supported a conclusion that there had been a change to the likely pattern of care. The court applied the principles governing the assessment of percentage of care under the *Child Support (Registration and Collection) Act 1988*, including the consideration of both past and future care arrangements. The court was satisfied that the Registrar had properly exercised their discretion based on the material before them.