On 27 October 2025, the Annual Report of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 1) and (Division 2) (‘the Courts’) was tabled in Parliament. The report marks a year in which the Courts’ made significant strides towards improving safety, accessibility and inclusivity for court users in Australia.
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
13 October 2025
On 8 September, the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2) (‘the Court’) celebrated 6 judicial appointments, made by the Attorney-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, the Honourable Michelle Rowland MP. Of those 6 appointments, 5 were sitting as Senior Judicial Registrars of the Court.
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.
JCAC welcomes submissions from interested parties on changes to the quantum of costs allowable to legal practitioners under each court’s scale of costs.
The Courts are thrilled to announce the introduction of three new facility dogs to the National Court Dog Program. The purchase of the dogs has been funded by the Law Society of New South Wales, and the dogs were expertly trained and supplied by Guide Dogs Australia. Media are invited to attend the swearing in events in Parramatta and Newcastle.
Since the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2) (then known as the Federal Magistrates Court of Australia) was established 25 years ago, it has experienced significant change and immense growth in workload, judicial numbers and jurisdiction, to become the nation’s largest federal court. On Monday 23 June 2025, the Court marks the 25-year milestone at a ceremonial sitting with approximately 76 Judges sitting on the bench in Courtroom 1, Queens Square Law Courts Building, Sydney.
The Courts acknowledge the traditional owners and custodians of country throughout Australia and acknowledges their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to the people, the cultures and the elders, past, present and emerging.
