Scott and Child Support Registrar (Child support)

The Administrative Appeals Tribunal considered the dispute between Scott and the Child Support Registrar concerning the percentage of care attributed to Scott for his child. The core of the disagreement revolved around determining the likely pattern of care from the commencement of the administrative assessment, particularly in circumstances where the parents were living under the same roof.

The Tribunal was required to determine whether the initial assessment of the percentage of care was correct, specifically whether a shared care arrangement was appropriate given the living situation of the parents. This involved assessing the factual circumstances to ascertain the actual or likely pattern of care provided to the child.

The Tribunal affirmed the decision under review, finding that a shared care arrangement was indeed appropriate. This conclusion was based on the assessment of the likely pattern of care from the start of the administrative assessment, taking into account the parents' cohabitation. The Tribunal applied the principles governing the determination of care percentages under the relevant legislation, considering the practical realities of the child's living arrangements.