News and media centre

Registry opening hours from 25 December 2025 to 7 January 2026 for all Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia registries and contact information during this time.

Coinciding with National Children’s Week, the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 1) and (Division 2) (the Courts/FCFCOA) have proudly launched the Courts’ Children’s Charter and Kids’ Corner — two new initiatives designed to support children whose parents are separating and are involved in family law proceedings.

From 31 October 2025 additional documents will be required when filing an Application for Consent Orders on the Commonwealth Courts Portal

The Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2) is pleased to welcome 6 new judicial appointments announced by the Attorney-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, the Honourable Michelle Rowland MP.

The Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2) (General Federal Law) Rules 2025 (new GFL Rules) commence on 1 September 2025. In addition to the new GFL Rules there will also be changes to the general federal law and migration Practice Directions and court forms.

The Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2) (General Federal Law) Rules 2025 (New GFL Rules) have been made by the Court, and will commence on 1 September 2025.

The Courts are grateful to have received a copy of the Report following the statutory review of the operation of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia Act 2021 (Cth) from the Attorney-General, the Hon Michelle Rowland MP.

The Hon Deputy Chief Justice Robert McClelland AO and Ms Hayley Foster, Director – Family Violence and Access, Equity and Inclusion from the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 1) and (Division 2) (the Courts), today joined Mr David Mandel of the Safe & Together Institute to address the Ending Coercive Control & Family Violence conference, held in Sydney.

The Hon William Alstergren AO, Chief Justice of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 1) and (Division 2) (the Courts), gave the opening address for the 9th World Congress on Family Law & Children's Rights in the United Kingdom, highlighting the Courts' innovative and comprehensive approaches to addressing family violence in Australia.
Speaking to an international audience of judges, lawyers, psychologists, and other experts working in family law, Chief Justice Alstergren's presentation, titled "It's time for change - innovative approaches to deal with family violence," detailed the significant advancements made by the Courts in managing family violence within family law proceedings.

This update is to inform the public and profession of a change to the title of private practitioners who prepare 62G family reports, pursuant to an appointment under the Family Law Regulations.

The Family Law Amendment Act 2024 (the Amendment Act) commences on 10 June 2025. As a result, the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Family Law) Rules 2021 (the Rules) have been amended.

As a result of the Family Law Amendment Act 2024 (Cth) changes commencing on 10 June 2025, and consequential changes to the Family Law Rules, there will be minor amendments to several family law Practice Directions. The new Practice Directions will be published on 10 June 2025.

On 10 May 2025, the Courts will automatically end legal practitioners’ access to family law files on the Commonwealth Courts Portal (CCP) 60 days after all applications on the file are finalised.

The Chief Justice of the FCFCOA (Division 1 and Division 2) introduced a screening of the powerful documentary created by Safe Steps, Unanswered Calls, which highlights the need for systemic improvement to ensure the voices of children and young people impacted by family violence are heard and help is provided.

From 22 April 2025, changes will be introduced to how urgent Initiating Applications and Family Law (Airport) Watchlist applications are managed in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 1) and (Division 2). These changes aim to improve the efficient review and prioritisation of urgent applications.