Seaver and Corey (Child support)

This matter concerned an appeal by the liable parent, Mr Corey, against a departure determination made by the Registrar of the Child Support Agency. The dispute centred on whether the Registrar had correctly considered the income, property, and financial resources of Mr Corey when making the determination. The appeal was heard by the Child Support Registrar.

The primary legal issue before the Registrar was whether the Registrar had erred in law in making the departure determination, specifically concerning the assessment of Mr Corey's financial position and whether this warranted a departure from the standard child support assessment.

The Registrar reviewed the evidence and the Registrar's previous decision. The Registrar found that the initial assessment had not adequately taken into account certain financial resources available to Mr Corey. Applying the principles of the *Child Support (Registration and Collection) Act 1988*, the Registrar determined that the previous decision was not soundly based.

Consequently, the Registrar set aside the original departure determination and substituted a new determination, reflecting a revised assessment of Mr Corey's financial circumstances.