News and media centre

The Court is pleased to announce following a successful pilot in the Parramatta, Townsville and Rockhampton registries, that from 31 August 2026 all divorce hearings that require the parties to attend a hearing before a Deputy Registrar will take place using Webex via an audio and video enabled link. The link to attend the Webex hearing will appear on the Commonwealth Courts Portal and the daily court list the day prior to the scheduled hearing time. 

From Monday, 22 June 2026, all requests for transcript of proceedings heard in the Courts must be made by completing the transcript order form.

The fees payable in the Federal Circuit and Family Court are changing from 1 July

The fees payable in the Federal Circuit and Family Court are changing from 1 July

It is with great sadness that I advise of the passing of our dear friend and colleague, Her Honour Judge Amanda Coulthard.

Update on recording and transcription services within the Courts.

Public statement in response to the 60 Minutes report – “The Point of No Return” regarding the International Hague Convention

The Chief Justice has today issued a new Practice Direction on the use of artificial intelligence (AI).

The Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2) (the Court) officially opened a new purpose‑built Migration Hub at its Parramatta Registry, marking a significant step toward improving access to justice for court users in Western Sydney.

Litigants and practitioners in migration proceedings in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2) can now file applications and other related materials at Garfield Barwick Commonwealth Law Courts Building, 1-3 George Street, Parramatta, and Terrace Tower Group Building, Level 10, 80 William Street, Woolloomooloo.

The Commonwealth Government announced the provision of funds in recognition of the unprecedent growth in migration filings in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2) (the Court). The funding totals $34.2 million over three years, designed to add capacity to the Court’s migration jurisdiction and to support vulnerable applicants. The measure includes funding for additional Registrars and support staff, together with capital funding for hearing rooms and registry facilities.

The Courts are pleased to announce the launch of a pilot program for divorce hearings to be conducted by video for matters in the Parramatta, Townsville and Rockhampton registries.

The Commonwealth Workplace Protection Orders Act 2025 (Cth) (CWPO Act) commences on 5 May 2026. From that date, the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2), exercising its General Federal Law jurisdiction, has jurisdiction to hear and determine applications for Commonwealth workplace protection orders.

The Courts have updated the following family law forms: Response to Initiating Application, Undertaking, Third Party Debt Notice, Enforcement Warrant, Affidavit: Translation of Marriage Certificate, Notice of Address for Service

The Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 1) and (Division 2) (the Courts) convened more than 70 national leaders from government, the judiciary, legal aid, specialist family violence sectors and others at its 2026 Family Violence Symposium in Sydney. The Symposium focused on three key reform priorities: Addressing systems abuse within family law proceedings, Strengthening the Courts’ responses to family violence risk and safety, Enhancing equitable access to justice for priority populations