Which act introduced a formula for calculating child support owed, using an administrative rather than judicial procedure?

• A. Child Support (Registration and Collection) Act 1988
• B. Family Law Act 1975 (Cth)
• C. Adoption Act 2000 (NSW)
• D. Child Support (Assessment) Act 1989

Answer: (D)

A formula-based administrative approach to determining child support is what this question is about. The act that introduced a standard calculation method and moved the process from the courts to an administrative pathway is the one that established the formal child support formula and the assessment process carried out by the child support agency. This means the amount payable is determined using a preset formula rather than being decided case-by-case by a judge, making the process more uniform and streamlined.

The broader framework for child support and family law remains under the Family Law Act, but the actual calculation and administrative assessment come from the Child Support (Assessment) Act. The other options don’t fit because one focuses on registration and collection, not the formula; another is about adoption (NSW) and isn’t involved in child support; and the remaining act provides the overarching framework rather than the specific formula and administrative mechanism.