Court Child Experts - FAQ
Information about what Court Child Experts are and their work in the Court
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01 April, 2025 -
01 September, 2021 Preparing an affidavit
This fact sheet explains what an affidavit is and when you need to file one in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (the Court). It also gives basic information about what you can and cannot include in an affidavit.
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01 September, 2021 Preparing documents for eFiling
This information relates to proceedings in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (the Court) and has been provided to assist court users to prepare documents for eFiling via the Commonwealth Courts Portal (CCP). Documents must be prepared to meet the requirements of the applicable court rules.
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01 September, 2021 Recovery orders
This fact sheet explains what a recovery order is and who can apply for a recovery order. It also includes information about what you can do when a child has been taken from Australia without consent, or has not been returned to Australia.
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01 September, 2021 Separation and stress
It has been acknowledged that separation and divorce are one of the most stressful life events a person can experience. Regardless of the terms in which a relationship ended, there are a number of emotional, practical and legal matters that may need to be addressed, all of which contribute to heightened stress.
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22 August, 2023 Family Violence Best Practice Principles
This is the fifth edition of the Family Violence Best Practice Principles. The first edition was published in March 2009. These Family Violence Best Practice Principles are designed to provide practical guidance to court users, legal practitioners, litigants and service providers regarding the way in which matters involving issues of family violence are managed in the Courts. They also set out the Courts’ expectations as to the knowledge and understanding decision makers and practitioners appearing before the Courts should have regarding the complexities of family violence. The Family Violence Best Practice Principles are to be read in conjunction with the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth), the Rules of the Courts and relevant Practice Directions.
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10 June, 2025 Lighthouse - Triage Counsellors
Lighthouse is an innovative approach taken by the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia to screen for risk, with a primary focus on improving outcomes for families.
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10 June, 2025 Lighthouse information sheet for parties - risk screening
Lighthouse is an innovative approach taken by the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia to screen for risk, with a primary focus on improving outcomes for families.
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10 June, 2025 Lighthouse information sheet for practitioners
Information for practitioners about the Lighthouse risk screening and case management
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06 May, 2024 The Courts and your privacy
In most circumstances, courts and their decisions are accessible to members of the public. This policy of 'open justice' is reflected in section 97 of the Family Law Act 1975, which provides that all proceedings should be heard in open unless a court decides otherwise. The principle of open justice is fundamental to ensuring that courts remain transparent and accountable for their decisions.
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30 October, 2023 Priority Property Pool Cases – Preparing for the first court date
The Court has a streamlined case management pathway for cases which meet the criteria set out in this document. They are called Priority Property Pool Cases (PPP Cases).
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30 October, 2023 Priority Property Pool Cases – Short-form expedited hearings
This brochure provides information about the option for a short-form expedited hearing in the
Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia for Priority Property Pool Cases (PPP Cases) -
01 September, 2021 Children and international travel after family separation
This fact sheet provides information for people who want to: apply for an Australian passport for a child, but one of the signatories can not or will not sign the application form; prevent a child they have parental responsibility for from leaving Australia.
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01 September, 2021 Natural disasters
If you are concerned about the status of your family law proceedings while you or your former partner are managing immediate issues following a natural disaster you can consult the Court to enquire about the assistance we can offer you.
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01 September, 2021 Applying for a decree of nullity
This fact sheet is for people who need information about applying to the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (the Court) for an order that a marriage is a nullity, described in the Family Law Act 1975 as a ‘decree of nullity’.
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01 September, 2025 Applicant's genuine steps statement – Rule 8.02
Before starting an application, see the Central Practice Direction – General Federal Law proceedi
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01 September, 2025 Respondent's genuine steps statement
This genuine steps statement is required by section 7 of the Civil Dispute Resolution Act 2011.
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01 September, 2021 Australian subpoenas served in NZ
This prescribed notice and information sheet must be attached to and served with a Subpoena issued under the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Family Law) Rules 2021 to be served in New Zealand.
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10 June, 2025 Child Support Applications
This brochure explains what type of child support applications and appeals can be filed in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (the Court).
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01 April, 2025 Family Consultant FAQs
Information about what a family consultant is and the work they do in the Court
