27 February 2026
The Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 1) and (Division 2) (the Courts) today 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
Chief Justice William Alstergren AO said the Symposium reflects the Courts’ ongoing commitment to adapting and innovating to best respond to family violence.
“The family courts see the real and devastating impact of family violence every day. Our responsibility is to ensure that our systems are safe, fair and responsive. It’s crucial that the Courts continually innovate through evidence based responses to family violence.”
This event continues the work of the inaugural Family Violence Symposium in Melbourne in 2024, providing an opportunity for leaders at the forefront of preventing and responding to family violence to come together, share their expertise, and discuss the best way forward with a focus on the justice system.
Attorney-General Michelle Rowland MP said:
“There’s no place in Australia for family violence – it’s an abhorrent crime that must be prevented.
The Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia plays a vital role in preventing and responding to instances of family violence, and our Government will continue to support that important work.”
The Symposium included strong representation from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander legal services, community organisations and researchers, reflecting the Courts’ ongoing commitment to strengthening culturally safe engagement and Specialist Indigenous List pathways for First Nations families.
The Symposium builds on significant reform already undertaken by the Courts, including:
- National expansion of the world-leading Lighthouse early risk identification, triage and case management model
- Specialist Indigenous Lists and Indigenous Family Liaison Officers
- Implementation of information sharing arrangements between the family law courts, police and child welfare agencies to ensure the courts have access to all relevant information to make decisions in the best interests of children
- Introduction of a nationally consistent Safety at Court Protocol and Safe Room upgrades across the country
- Child Impact Reports and strengthened child-centred practice, including the recent launch of the Children’s Charter and Kids’ Corner website content for children
- Whole-of-system adoption of perpetrator-pattern approaches through Safe & Together training
- Expanded education on systems abuse, coercive control and sexual violence
Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Commissioner Micaela Cronin said:
“Symposiums such as this are critical to share ideas, learn from each other, and to shape future reform. There is much work under way to make the Court safer and fairer for families, and I thank Chief Justice Alstergren for hosting today and for all those who attended. Only by listening to those impacted by our systems can we truly make those systems better.”
Chief Justice Alstergren said today’s Symposium signals the Courts’ continued commitment to ensuring a safe, fair and responsive family law system.
“We have made important progress, but delivering safe, effective and efficient justice deserves our constant effort. The Courts are eager to engage with the profession and the sector at events like this, and listen to their on the ground experience, which helps to inform the action we take to strengthen the Courts in the years ahead.”
Media Contact
Media and Public Affairs
M: 0409 743 695 (Denise) E: media@fcfcoa.gov.au
