Trippler and Souttar (Child support)

This matter concerned an appeal to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) by Mr Trippler against a decision made by the Child Support Registrar. The dispute centred on the percentage of care for the parties' child, with Mr Trippler seeking to establish a change to the likely pattern of care.

The Tribunal was required to determine whether the Registrar's decision, which affirmed the existing percentage of care, was correct. Specifically, the Tribunal had to consider whether there had been a material change in the child's living arrangements that would justify altering the assessed percentage of care, and whether the child had been in the care of a third party.

The Tribunal affirmed the Registrar's decision, finding that the evidence did not establish a change to the likely pattern of care that would warrant a reassessment. The Tribunal applied the principles governing the assessment of care percentages under the *Child Support (Registration and Collection) Act 1988*, focusing on whether the proposed change was likely to be substantial and enduring. The Tribunal concluded that the circumstances presented did not meet the threshold for a change in the assessed percentage of care.