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

A powerful video featuring messages from prominent Australian men speaking against family violence will be played in the half-time break at the State of Origin Game II between the New South Wales 'Blues' and Queensland 'Maroons' on Wednesday, 18 June 2025, at Optus Stadium, Perth.

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.

On 11 June 2025, the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Divisions 1 and 2) (‘the Courts’) will launch their 2025–2027 ‘Innovate’ Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) which reflects the Courts’ continuing commitment to providing access to justice for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Peoples. The launch, to be held in Brisbane, will feature an address from Aunty Betty McGrady, a Gunggari elder from Southwest Queensland, as well as Deputy Chief Justice Robert McClelland AO.

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 Friday 30 May 2025, a powerful video featuring messages from prominent Australian men speaking against family violence will be played to a packed audience at the Melbourne Football Ground (MCG) during the game between Collingwood and Hawthorn.

As a result of the Family Law Amendment Act 2024 (Cth) commencing on 10 June 2025, there will be changes to some family law court forms. Some changes are substantive, for example if new questions have been added to forms. A number of forms have minor changes only, where sections of the Act have changed and references need to be updated.

On 4 May 2025 the Brisbane Lions hosted their annual 'Domestic and Family Violence prevention Round' at the Gabba, where they took on the Gold Coast Suns. The Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia's Chief Justice Will Alstergren AO attended the game to amplify his call for early prevention measures to stop family violence.

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.

The following Regulations commenced on 1 April 2025: The Family Law Regulations 2024 replace the 1984 Regulations; The Family Law (Superannuation) Regulations 2025 replace the 2001 Regulations; The Family Law (Family Dispute Resolution Practitioners) Regulations 2025 replace the 2008 Regulations. As a result, there will be changes to the following family law court forms which are to be used from 1 April 2025. Please note that the changes are largely updating section references where the Regulations have been renumbered.

The FCFCOA’s Director – Family Violence, Access, Equity and Inclusion, Hayley Foster, chaired a session at the ‘Engaging Men & Boys to End the Cycle of Violence’ conference in Sydney this week.

The Brisbane and Lismore Registries will be open as normal on Tuesday 11 March 2025.