Rencher and Adlard (Child support)

This matter concerned a dispute between Rencher and Adlard regarding child support payments. The father, Rencher, had notified the Child Support Registrar of changes to the percentage of care he provided for the children. The mother, Adlard, objected to these notifications, disputing both the percentages of care claimed and the dates from which these changes were to take effect. The decision under review was made by the Child Support Registrar.

The primary legal issues before the court were whether the father had provided sufficient evidence to establish a change in the percentage of care for the children, and if so, from what date such a change should be recognised. The court was required to consider the nature and quality of the care provided, as well as any variability in the arrangements and temporary disruptions that may have occurred. A key question was whether the father's notifications were made within the statutory timeframe for changes to be recognised.

Member F Petrone affirmed the decision of the Child Support Registrar. The court found that the father's notifications of changes in care were made more than 28 days after the relevant days on which the changes allegedly occurred. Under the relevant legislation, changes notified outside this timeframe cannot be recognised for the purpose of calculating child support. Therefore, the Registrar's decision to not recognise the father's claimed changes in the percentage of care was upheld.