Schreider and Wolfwood (Child support)

This matter concerned an appeal by the liable parent, Mr Schreider, against a child support administrative assessment made by the Registrar. The dispute centred on the income figure used in the assessment, with Mr Schreider contending that his estimated income was not accepted. The appeal was heard by the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia, specifically by Senior Member Dordevic.

The primary legal issue before the court was whether the Registrar erred in not accepting the liable parent's estimate of income for the purposes of the child support assessment. This involved determining whether Mr Schreider had made a valid election to provide a new income estimate and, if so, whether that estimate should have been adopted by the Registrar.

Senior Member Dordevic affirmed the decision under review. The reasoning was that the liable parent had not made a valid election to provide a new income estimate as required by the relevant legislation. Consequently, the Registrar was entitled to proceed with the assessment based on the information available, which did not include a new, accepted income estimate from Mr Schreider. The court applied the principles governing the provision and acceptance of income estimates in child support assessments.