Stansfeld and Stansfeld (Child support)

This matter concerned an appeal by the father, Mr Stansfeld, against a departure determination made by the Registrar of the Child Support Agency. The Registrar had determined that the mother, Ms Stansfeld, was entitled to receive child support from the father, and that a departure from the usual assessment was justified. The dispute centred on the Registrar's decision to depart from the standard assessment.

The primary legal issue before the court was whether the Registrar had erred in making the departure determination. Specifically, the court was required to consider whether the grounds for departure, as outlined in the *Child Support (Registration and Collection) Act 1988* (Cth), were established, and whether the Registrar's decision to depart was justified in all the circumstances.

The court reviewed the evidence presented regarding the income, property, and financial resources of both parties. It applied the principles established in child support legislation and relevant case law concerning departure determinations. The court found that the Registrar had correctly identified grounds for departure and that the decision to depart was soundly based on the evidence before her. The court affirmed the Registrar's decision, finding no error in her assessment or conclusion.