Skeete and Skeete (Child support)

This matter concerned an appeal by the father, Mr Skeete, against a decision of the Child Support Registrar regarding the percentage of care for the parties' child. The dispute centred on whether there had been a change to the likely pattern of care and, if so, whether this change would cause a change to the cost percentage. The father sought to have the existing percentage of care determinations revoked.

The primary legal issues before the court were whether the Registrar erred in refusing to revoke the existing percentage of care determinations, and whether there were special circumstances that prevented the father from applying for a review within the prescribed 28-day period. The court was required to consider the provisions of the *Child Support (Registration and Collection) Act 1988* (Cth) concerning changes to care arrangements and the criteria for revoking existing determinations.

The court found that the Registrar had erred in their assessment of the evidence regarding the change in the pattern of care. It was determined that a significant change had occurred in the likely pattern of care for the child, which would consequently alter the cost percentage. The court also found that special circumstances existed which justified the father's delay in lodging his application for review. Consequently, the Registrar's decision was set aside and substituted with a new determination.