Rodgers and Donelan (Child support)

The case of Rodgers and Donelan concerned an application for a departure determination under the *Child Support (Registration and Collection) Act 1988* (Cth). The applicants sought to depart from the child support assessment, specifically in relation to the payment of school fees. The matter came before the court for review of a previous decision.

The primary legal issue before the court was whether the existing child support assessment should be departed from, and if so, on what grounds and to what extent. This involved considering whether the costs associated with school fees constituted a relevant ground for departure under the Act, and if so, whether the specific circumstances of the case warranted such a departure.

The court considered the provisions of the *Child Support (Registration and Collection) Act 1988* (Cth) relating to departure determinations. It was determined that a ground for departure had been established, likely relating to the significant costs of schooling. The court then reviewed the previous decision to depart and, finding it to be flawed or otherwise requiring substitution, set aside the original decision and substituted its own determination.