Teller and Child Support Registrar (Child support)

This matter concerned an appeal to the Federal Circuit Court of Australia regarding a decision of the Child Support Registrar. The appeal was brought by the father, identified as Teller, against the Registrar's determination of the percentage of care for the parties' child. The core of the dispute revolved around whether the likely pattern of care had changed, leading to the revocation of an existing percentage of care and the making of a new determination.

The primary legal issues before the Court were whether the Registrar erred in revoking the existing percentage of care and in making a new determination of the percentage of care. Additionally, the Court was required to consider the date of effect of the tribunal's care percentage decision, particularly in circumstances where an application for review was made late and whether special circumstances existed that would permit the late application.

Her Honour Judge Webb M found that the Registrar had correctly determined that the likely pattern of care had changed. The Court applied the principles of the *Child Support (Registration and Collection) Act 1988* concerning the assessment of the percentage of care, focusing on the likely future pattern of care rather than past arrangements. The Court also determined that special circumstances did not exist to prevent the application for review being made on time, and therefore, the date of effect of the tribunal's decision was the date of lodgement of the application for review. The appeal was dismissed.