Wiltshire and Child Support Registrar (Child support)

The Administrative Appeals Tribunal considered the dispute between Wiltshire and the Child Support Registrar concerning a child support assessment. The core of the disagreement related to the percentage of care arrangements for the child and the date from which any changes to those arrangements should be effective.

The Tribunal was required to determine whether there had been a change to the likely pattern of care for the child, and if so, from what date such a change should be recognised for the purposes of child support assessments. Further, the Tribunal had to consider whether there were any special circumstances that prevented the objection from being lodged within the prescribed time limits.

In its reasoning, the Tribunal applied the principles of the *Child Support (Registration and Collection) Act 1988* (Cth) regarding changes to care arrangements and the notification thereof. The Tribunal found that while there had been a change in the pattern of care, the notification of this change was not made in a timely manner. Consequently, the Tribunal determined that there were no special circumstances that justified an extension of time for lodging the objection. The existing percentage of care determinations were revoked, and new determinations were made, with the decision under review being set aside and substituted accordingly.