Venteman and Venteman (Child support)

This matter concerned an appeal by the father, Mr Venteman, against a decision of the Child Support Registrar concerning the percentage of care for the parties' two children. The Registrar had previously revoked existing percentage of care determinations and made new determinations, which the father sought to have set aside.

The primary legal issue before the court was whether there had been a change in the likely pattern of care for the children, such that the Registrar was justified in revoking the existing percentage of care determinations and making new ones. The court was required to consider the evidence presented regarding the actual care arrangements and the likely future arrangements for the children.

The court affirmed the Registrar's decision, finding that there had been a significant and ongoing change in the likely pattern of care for the children. The evidence demonstrated that the mother had assumed a substantially greater proportion of care for the children than was reflected in the previous determinations. The court applied the principles of the *Child Support (Registration and Collection) Act 1988* (Cth), which permit the revocation and redetermination of care percentages where there is a change in the likely pattern of care. The father's appeal was therefore dismissed.