Shahadi and Lardon (Child support)

This matter concerned an application by the father, Mr Shahadi, for a departure determination under the *Child Support (Registration and Collection) Act 1988* (Cth) to vary the child support payable to the mother, Ms Lardon. The application was heard by the Child Support Registrar and subsequently reviewed by the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT).

The primary legal issue before the Tribunal was whether any of the grounds for departure, as set out in section 117 of the Act, were met. Specifically, the Tribunal considered whether the costs associated with the child's special needs and the costs of child care significantly affected the costs of maintaining the child, and whether the financial resources of both parents were fairly represented in the administrative assessment.

The Tribunal found that the costs of the child's special needs did not significantly affect the costs of maintaining the child, nor did the costs of child care. Furthermore, the Tribunal was satisfied that the financial resources of both parents were fairly represented in the administrative assessment. Consequently, the Tribunal concluded that no ground for departure under section 117 of the Act was established.

The Tribunal set aside the decision under review and substituted its own decision, refusing the father's application to depart from the administrative assessment.