Wellington and Child Support Registrar (Child support)

The Administrative Appeals Tribunal considered a dispute between Wellington and the Child Support Registrar concerning the percentage of care for a child. Wellington sought a review of the Registrar's decision to revoke existing care percentage determinations and make new ones, which effectively altered the child support arrangements.

The Tribunal was required to determine whether it had jurisdiction to consider Wellington's late application for review, given that it was filed outside the prescribed time limits. Specifically, the Tribunal had to assess whether there were "special circumstances" that would justify accepting the late application, as required by the relevant legislation.

In its reasoning, the Tribunal applied the principles governing the acceptance of late applications for review. It found that the applicant had not demonstrated any special circumstances that would warrant an extension of time. The Tribunal noted that the applicant's own actions and lack of diligence in pursuing the review were the primary reasons for the delay. Consequently, the Tribunal concluded that it lacked the jurisdiction to entertain the application due to the failure to meet the statutory requirements for a late filing.

The Tribunal therefore refused to make a determination on the merits of the application, upholding the Registrar's decision to refuse the late review.