Summerfield and Vickers (Child support)

The Administrative Appeals Tribunal considered an appeal by the father, Mr Summerfield, against a child support assessment made by the Child Support Registrar. The father sought a review of the assessment, which had been made on the basis of his estimated income, as he had failed to attend a hearing before the Registrar. The father contended that his income had significantly reduced since the assessment was made.

The Tribunal was required to determine whether the Registrar had erred in refusing to accept the father's estimate of his income and whether the Registrar had correctly exercised her discretion in proceeding with the assessment based on estimated income. The Tribunal also had to consider whether the father had demonstrated a change of circumstances that warranted a departure from the initial assessment.

Member J Nalpantidis reasoned that the Registrar was entitled to proceed with an estimated income assessment when the father failed to attend the hearing and provide necessary information. The Tribunal found that the father had not provided sufficient evidence to demonstrate a significant change in his circumstances that would justify a departure from the assessment. Consequently, the Tribunal affirmed the decision of the Child Support Registrar.