Sadler and Child Support Registrar (Child support)

This matter concerned an appeal to the Federal Circuit Court of Australia regarding a decision by the Child Support Registrar concerning the percentage of care for a child. The appellant, Sadler, sought to challenge the Registrar's determination of the likely pattern of care, which had been made under the *Child Support (Registration and Collection) Act 1988* (Cth).

The central legal issue before the Court was whether the Registrar had erred in determining the likely pattern of care for the child, specifically in relation to whether there had been a change in the established pattern of care. The appellant contended that the Registrar's decision did not adequately consider the existing care arrangements and the likelihood of their continuation.

The Court affirmed the Registrar's decision, finding that the evidence did not support the appellant's assertion of a change in the pattern of care. The Court applied the principles governing the determination of the likely pattern of care, which requires an assessment of the factual circumstances and the reasonable expectation of future care arrangements. In this instance, the Court was satisfied that the Registrar had correctly applied these principles and that the existing pattern of care was likely to continue.