These Guidelines have been issued to provide guidance to the Independent Children’s Lawyer (ICL) on fulfilling their unique role and responsibilities, as the independent lawyer appointed to represent and promote the best interests of a child in family law proceedings.
This Special Measures Information Notice was revoked 19 December 2024. See Family Law Practice Direction: Electronic subpoena inspection
This Information Notice was revoked 3 May 2024.
This information notice establishes the manner in which files in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia may be constituted.
This Practice Direction was revoked 4 November 2022.
The Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia has developed new rules of court for all proceedings in the Court with effect from 1 September 2021. Various new Practice Directions and Information Notices have been issued to accompany the new rules. This Practice Direction formally revokes a number of outdated or superseded Practice Directions and Information Notices issued by the Family Court of Australia or Federal Circuit Court of Australia prior to the commencement of the operation of the Court on 1 September 2021.
The Court does not set the fees payable in the court. Fees are set by Federal Government Regulations - Family Law (Fees) Regulations 2022. The current fees are contained within the gazetted Annual federal courts and tribunals fee increases from 1 July 2025.
GST does not apply to court fees.
| Filing Fees | |
|---|---|
| Application for divorce | $1,125 |
| Application for divorce – reduced fee^ | $375 |
| Application for consent orders | $205 |
| Application as to validity of Marriage, Divorce, Annulment | $1,595 |
| Application for decree as to nullity | $1,595 |
| Application for decree as to nullity - reduced fee^ | $530 |
| Initiating Application (Parenting OR Financial, Final only) | $435 |
| Initiating Application (Parenting OR Financial, Final AND Interim) | $585* |
| Initiating Application (Parenting AND Financial, Final only) | $710 |
| Initiating Application (Parenting AND Financial, Final AND Interim) | $860* |
| Response to initiating application (Final) | $435 |
| Notice of appeal or an application for leave to appeal | $1,705 |
| Interim order application/Application in a proceeding (Parenting AND/OR Financial) | $150 |
| Issue subpoena | $65 |
| Application under the Trans Tasman Proceedings Act 2010 | $150 |
| Filing an application to register a New Zealand judgment | $135 |
| Court Event Fees | |
|---|---|
| Setting down for hearing fee (defended matter) (This fee is not refundable) | $790 (Div2) $1,070 (Div1) |
| Daily hearing fee (for each hearing day, excluding the first hearing day) | $790 (Div2) $1,070 (Div1) |
| Conciliation conference | $490 (both) |
* Initiating applications that seek interim AND final orders also attract the interim order fee. Example:
If you hold certain Government concession cards or you can demonstrate financial hardship, you may be eligible for:
^ a reduced fee for an application for divorce (both parties must be eligible if filing a joint application) or decree of nullity.
See the Guidelines for reduced fee - divorce and decree of nullity application
For all other applications you may be eligible for an exemption of fees.
See the Guidelines for exemption of court fees
Filing fees can be paid online when eFiling using the Commonwealth Courts Portal www.comcourts.gov.au
Court event fees can also be paid online (once you have received a statement with your PID number) via eservices.comcourts.gov.au
Payment for filing and court event fees can be made in registries via:
or by mail using:
NOTE: If you DO NOT have a credit/debit card you can buy a pre-paid debit card from various retail outlets for a nominal fee.
You may need this form when making a payment.
This form must be included with any mailed application or request. Please do not fax this form unless you have been directly requested to do so by the Court.
The Credit card payment form is available on the forms page.
These fees apply from 1 July 2025 and are set by Federal Government regulations Family Law (Fees) Regulations 2022.
The Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (the Court) is the nation’s largest court dealing with both family law and general federal law matters. The Court’s rules and procedures are generally less formal, making the Court accessible to the community. The Court’s procedures provide for cases to be completed in a timely and cost efficient manner.
This fact sheet provides information for people who allege a parenting or other child-related order has been contravened (breached). It explains some of the options available. When a parenting or other child-related order is made, each person affected by the order must comply with (follow) the order.
This fact sheet is for people who are representing themselves in court. It covers some of the things you can do to prepare for your court hearing, as well as what you should and should not do inside the courtroom.
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.
