Home | Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia

Expansion of Lighthouse and Evatt List

The expansion of Lighthouse means that risk screening, triage and differentiated case management, including the Evatt List, is now available in 15 family law registries and offered to any party filing parenting only, and parenting and financial orders.

Watch the informative webinar about this important family violence and safety initiative.

Use dispute resolution to reduce costs and emotional stress

Court proceedings should be a last resort. The Court expects people to make genuine attempts to engage in dispute resolution, to avoid the time, cost and stress associated with litigation.

You can separate smarter

Where it is safe to do so, you can take ownership of your dispute. Whether you agree, partially agree or don’t agree at all. You can mediate at any stage, as many times as you need. It is time we started thinking differently about family law disputes.

A court responsive to family violence and risk to children

The Court places children, litigants and their safety at the heart of the process.
For some families, it may be unsafe to resolve their disputes without the help of the Court process and Court orders. Remember, there are people who can help you.

Expertise and resources to deliver initiatives

For those matters that need to proceed to trial parties can be confident in the process which has integrity, the expertise of judges, judicial registrars, court child experts and staff, delivering a world-leading federal law system.

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Family law

Divorce, separation, children, property and other family law matters.

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Migration law

The Court can review some decisions made under the Migration Act 1958.

Migration  law

General federal law

Bankruptcy, fair work, human rights, consumer, admiralty, administrative and IP.

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Attending court

Etiquette and tips

Information about the etiquette required in court as well as tips and other important information on how to prepare for coming to court.

Read about court etiquette and tips

Electronic hearings

Information about attending an electronic court hearing via video link or telephone.

Read about electronic hearings

Representing myself

Information about the things you need to consider if you are representing yourself in court.

Read about representing yourself

Safety at court

Information about what to do and how the Court can assist you if you have any safety concerns when attending court.

Read about safety at court

Court support

Information about the range of support services that are available and what you need to do if you have special circumstances.

Read about court support

Hearing types

Information about the types of court events that are held.

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Helpful videos

You can separate smarter

Did you know, you don’t need to argue? If it is safe to do so, there is a better way to separate. You can take ownership of your dispute. This video provides tips on how to separate smarter - whether you agree or partially agree, perhaps you can’t agree at all.

3:45 min

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Latest news Media releases Missing children Updates to the profession

01 June, 2023

Media Release: International recognition for the Court’s world-leading Lighthouse initiative

The internationally respected Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (AFCC) has selected Lighthouse as this year’s recipient of the Irwin Cantor Innovative Program Award. The award was presented at a ceremony held in Los Angeles, USA on 31 May 2023.

01 June, 2023

Media Release: Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia committed to continuing the Burnie circuit

The Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2) (‘the Court’) acknowledges the challenges for litigants in North West Tasmania as a result of the absence of suitable premises to conduct the Burnie circuit. The Court is doing all it can to work with the local, state and Commonwealth governments to solve this issue and is thankful for the assistance it has received to date, including from the state Attorney-General and the Department of Justice. All parties are working hard to find a solution for the litigants of North West Tasmania.

10 May, 2023

Media release: 2023-24 Commonwealth Budget provides support to the Courts to tackle financial-related family violence and child abduction cases

As part of the 2023-24 Federal Government Budget released last night, the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 1) and the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2) (the Courts) have been provided funding for two key measures: the national expansion of the highly successful pilot dealing with financial disputes between parents with smaller amounts of assets of under $500,000 (known as the Priority Property Pools under $500,000 or PPP500), and; to employ mediators and Court Child Experts to provide dispute resolution services for Hague Child Abduction Convention cases.

03 April, 2023

Media release: Opening of new Launceston court facilities to better service the local community and the legal profession

On Monday 3 April 2023, the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 1 and Division 2) will host an event to officially open new court facilities in Launceston.

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