Sheppard and Sheppard (Child support)

This matter concerned an appeal to the Federal Circuit Court of Australia regarding a decision made by the Child Support Registrar. The appeal was brought by the father, Mr. Sheppard, against the mother, Ms. Sheppard, concerning the assessment of child support payable for their two children. The core of the dispute revolved around the percentage of care attributed to each parent.

The primary legal issue before the Court was whether there had been a change to the likely pattern of care of the children since the last assessment, which would warrant a reassessment of the child support payable. Specifically, the Court had to determine if the father's asserted increase in care constituted a "change of circumstances" as contemplated by the relevant legislation.

The Court affirmed the Registrar's decision, finding that the evidence did not establish a sufficient change in the pattern of care to justify a reassessment. The Registrar had applied the principles of the *Child Support (Registration and Collection) Act 1988* (Cth), considering the established care arrangements and the threshold for demonstrating a material alteration in the children's living arrangements. The Court found no error in the Registrar's assessment that the father had not met the onus of proving a significant and ongoing shift in the care provided to the children.