CHILD SUPPORT - application for extension of time - failure to attend Tribunal hearing - dismissal confirmed - extension of time refused

Names used in all published decisions are pseudonyms. Any references appearing in square brackets indicate that information has been omitted from this decision and replaced with generic information pursuant to subsection 16(2AB) of the Child Support (Registration and Collection) Act 1988.

1. On 31 March 2025 an objections officer decided to refuse Mr Piacenza's departure application which was lodged with Services Australia - Child Support on 11 September 2024. Mr Piacenza was electronically notified of that decision via a letter dated 31 March 2025. He had a right to apply to the Tribunal for review of the decision. To do so in time, he needed to do so within 28 days of being notified of the decision: section 18 of the Administrative Review Tribunal Act 2024 ("the ART Act")
2. On 22 May 2025, Mr Piacenza belatedly applied to the Tribunal for review. He also applied for an extension of time in which to apply for review: section 19 of the ART Act.
3. On 24 July 2025 the Tribunal Registry sent a letter to Mr Piacenza by email informing him that the matter would be heard at 4:00 pm on 4 August 2025, and the Tribunal would phone him at that time. The Registry sent reminder text messages to Mr Piacenza on 30 July 2025, 31 July 2025 and 1 August 2025.
4. I phoned Mr Piacenza at 4:00 pm on 4 August 2025. The call went to voicemail. I left a message reminding him of the hearing, informing him that I would phone again and if I was unable to contact him I would consider dismissing his application for review, and asking him to wait by the phone. I phoned him three more times at five-minute intervals. Each call went to voicemail.
5. I am satisfied that Mr Piacenza received appropriate notice of the date, time and place of the hearing and he failed to appear at the hearing. A discretion arises under section 99 of the ART Act to dismiss his application for review and it is appropriate to exercise that discretion in this case.

Mr Piacenza's application for an extension of time in which to apply for review of a decision to refuse his departure application dated 11 September 2024 is refused.