• Practice and procedure update: Family law form updates

    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.

  • Notice of child abuse, family violence or risk

    This is a mandatory form that must be filed with any Initiating Application, Response to Initiating Application or Application for Consent Orders seeking parenting orders. This form is not to be filed if the orders sought relate to property or financial matters only.

  • How the Court considers safety and risk

    This page outlines how to notify the Court about family violence and provides information about how allegations of family violence and risk are considered at different stages of the Court process.

  • Update to the profession: Commonwealth Courts Portal document list

    The Courts have responded to feedback and family law judgments and Court Children’s Services reports released from 11 December 2023 will be accessible from the Commonwealth Courts Portal (CCP). This will improve the accessibility of these documents and security of distribution.

  • Lighthouse Project - Update to the Profession April 2022

    The Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia welcomed the announcement of $63.8 million of additional resources (over the four years to 2025-26) to enhance the ability of the Courts to respond to family violence and other risks to vulnerable parties and children. This forms part of the Federal Government’s 2022-23 Budget and the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children. The funding provides for the national expansion of the Lighthouse Project to address family violence and…

  • Practice and procedure update: Practice directions

    With today’s commencement of the Family Law Amendment Act 2023 and the Family Law (Information Sharing) Act 2023, amendments have taken effect to four practice directions: Central Practice Direction: Family Law Case Management, Family Law Practice Direction: Parenting Proceedings, Family Law Practice Direction: Financial Proceedings and Family Law Practice Direction: Critical Incident List. In addition, the COVID-19 List Practice Direction has been revoked.

  • Lighthouse expansion – General fact sheet

    New court process focused on the safety of children and their families by identifying and addressing issues of family violence and other risks.

  • Appendix 6 - Committees

    Table A6.1: Federal Circuit Court Committees, 30 June 2021 Overarching Committees Title Members Terms of reference National Practice Area Committee
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