• Family Law Practice Direction: National Contravention List

    This Practice Direction establishes a National Contravention List which applies to any Application – Contravention filed either pursuant to Part VII Division 13A or Part XIIIA of the Family Law Act 1975 in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia from 1 September 2021.

  • Practice and procedure update: Family Law Rules

    Today the Courts are providing an update in relation to amendments to the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Family Law) Rules 2021 (Family Law Rules). The Family Law Rules have been amended by the passage of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Family Law) Amendment (2024 Measures No.1) Rules 2024 which has been approved by a majority of Judges. The amendments take effect from 6 May 2024. The full instrument is available to download above.

  • Family Law Practice Direction: Trans-Tasman Proceedings Act proceedings

    This Practice Direction applies to family law proceedings under the Trans-Tasman Proceedings Act 2010 filed in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia. The Trans-Tasman Proceedings Act 2010 does not apply to family law proceedings in respect of an application made under the Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction signed at The Hague on 25 October 1980; and relating to the status or property of a person who is not fully able to manage his or her own affairs.

  • Increase to family law fees - 1 July 2025

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

  • Human rights: I have been served

    This page explains what to do if you have been served with an Originating Application – Human Rights and how to file a Response – Human Rights.

  • Lighthouse expansion - Update to the profession August 2023

    The Courts continue to see a high uptake in parties completing the risk screen, with 50% of parties completing the risk screen within 48 hours of receiving the invitation to do so. This impressive response rate means that the Courts’ specialised Lighthouse team are able to provide early service information and support after the filing of a party’s Initiating Application or Response.

  • Consumer law: I have been served

    This page explains what to do if you have been served with a consumer law application.

  • Family Law Practice Direction: Parenting proceedings

    This Practice Direction sets out the procedure for all family law proceedings seeking parenting orders or any other order under Part VII of the Family Law Act 1975, save and except for surrogacy proceedings, passport proceedings, medical procedure proceedings or child maintenance proceedings.

  • 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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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.