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).
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.
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’.
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.
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)
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).
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.
Missing children
There are occasions when a child involved in family law proceedings cannot be located, which may result in a party, usually a parent or guardian, from being unable to have (court-ordered) contact with the child because their whereabouts is unknown.
A party involved in the proceedings can make an application to the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (the FCFCOA) to seek a recovery order.
Applications may also be made to the FCFCOA seeking a publication order. In general terms, publication orders allow photographs and certain details of a party and case to be published, with the aim of locating the missing child. Without a publication order, section 114Q of the Family Law Act 1975 prevents the publication of details of a case that would lead to the identification of a party or witness involved in the family law proceedings.
View current missing children.
Publication orders
The publishing of names and other identifying information of people and witnesses involved in family law proceedings is subject to restrictions that are set out in Part XIVB of the Family Law Act 1975. It is an offence to publish details of proceedings or images that may identify the people involved in cases under the Family Law Act.
In limited circumstances, a publication order or another Part XIVB exemption may be made by the FCFCOA, that lift some of those restrictions, to allow media outlets to publicise certain details of a case.
Publication orders are issued by a judicial officer, and are generally only made if an application has been made to the FCFCOA seeking such orders. An application seeking a publication order is generally done by a parent or guardian who is seeking public assistance to help locate their child.
Publication orders vary from case to case, but usually set out:
- what the media can report regarding a missing child and the person they are presumed to be with
- photographs and interviews that are permitted to be published
- Court approval requirements prior to publication, and
- what can be reported when the child is found.
What can the media report about missing children?
The media can only report information and publish photos as set out in the publication order and/or in any official court media release, and in addition, orders often require FCFCOA approval of the report prior to publication. Refer to more information on reporting on family law matters or for general information about what can be reported, contact the Court’s Director - Media and Public Affairs.
Please note that court staff, including the Director - Media and Public Affairs, cannot provide legal advice. They can only provide guidance in relation to publication orders.
Lighthouse information sheet for practitioners
Information for practitioners about the Lighthouse risk screening and case management
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.
