• Family Law Practice Direction: Defaulters' List

    The purpose of the List is to ensure compliance with the relevant Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Family Law) Rules 2021 (Family Law Rules) and any case management orders and directions made by a Registrar in family law or child support proceedings, in accordance with the overarching purpose of family law practice and procedure. The Defaulters’ List will initially be piloted in the Sydney Registry of the Courts with a view to expansion if successful.

  • Media release: Family Court marks 50 years since its historic commencement

    The Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 1) will mark a significant national milestone in 2026, celebrating 50 years since the establishment of the Family Court of Australia. The Family Court commenced operations on 5 January 1976, following the introduction of the transformative Family Law Act 1975 by the Whitlam Government. It was Australia’s first federal court dedicated solely to helping families resolve their family law disputes. This was both innovative and highly…

  • Admiralty: I want to apply

    This page explains how to apply to the Court under the Admiralty Act.

  • Media release: Chief Justice Alstergren AO shines light on family violence at National Family Law Conference, Adelaide

    The Chief Justice (Division 1) and Chief Judge (Division 2) of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia, the Hon Will Alstergren AO, together with the Commonwealth Attorney-General the Hon Mark Dreyfus, will deliver the State of the National address at the opening of the 19th National Family Law Conference in Adelaide on Monday 15 August.

  • Lighthouse information sheet for non-parent parties – risk screening

    A non-parent party to the proceedings may include but is not limited to grandparents, aunts/uncles, elder siblings or kinship carers of the child/ren.

  • Reflections on my journey to becoming the first female Chief Justice in Malaysia: challenges and champions

    Delivered by The RT. Hon. The Chief Justice of Malaysia Tun Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat On the occasion of The Australia Indonesia Partnership for Justice (AIPJ 2) Webinar 15 April 2021

  • Applications for Review in family law – Frequently Asked Questions

    What types of decisions can be reviewed? You can apply for a review of an order or decision made by a Senior Judicial Registrar or Judicial Registrar in the exercise of a power referred to in the table in clause 2 of Schedule 4 of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Family Law) Rules 2021. How long do I have to file an Application for Review? You have 21 days from the date the Registrar made the decision to submit an Application for Review.

  • Changing parenting arrangements

    This page provides information about how you can change or vary existing parenting arrangements, including applying to the Court.

  • Appendix 4 - Freedom of Information

    The Freedom of Information Act 1982 does not apply to any request for access to documents of the Court unless the document relates to matters of an administrative nature. While there is no definition within this Act or the Privacy Act of the term ‘matters of an administrative nature’, the High Court decision in Kline v Official Secretary to the Governor-General and Another [2013] HCA 52 in their joint judgment considering this term pointed out:

  • Media release: New judicial appointments to the Adelaide, Melbourne, Parramatta and Sydney registries of the FCFCOA

    The Attorney-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, the Honourable Mark Dreyfus KC MP announced on 7 March 2025 a number of appointments to the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia.
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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.