Siefer and Child Support Registrar (Child support)

The Administrative Appeals Tribunal considered the appeal of Siefer against a decision of the Child Support Registrar concerning the percentage of care for a child. The central dispute revolved around whether there had been a change to the likely pattern of care for the child, which would necessitate a review and potential alteration of existing percentage of care determinations.

The Tribunal was required to determine whether the Registrar’s decision to revoke existing percentage of care determinations and make new ones was justified. Specifically, the Tribunal had to assess if the evidence presented demonstrated a significant and likely change in the pattern of care that warranted the Registrar’s intervention.

In its reasoning, the Tribunal applied the principles of the *Child Support (Registration and Collection) Act 1988* (Cth) regarding changes to the likely pattern of care. The Tribunal found that the evidence supported a conclusion that the pattern of care had indeed changed, justifying the Registrar's decision. Consequently, the Tribunal affirmed the Registrar's decision, upholding the new percentage of care determinations.