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The Chief Justice has today issued a new Practice Direction on the use of artificial intelligence (AI).

Litigants and practitioners in migration proceedings in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2) can now file applications and other related materials at Garfield Barwick Commonwealth Law Courts Building, 1-3 George Street, Parramatta, and Terrace Tower Group Building, Level 10, 80 William Street, Woolloomooloo.

The Courts are pleased to announce the launch of a pilot program for divorce hearings to be conducted by video for matters in the Parramatta, Townsville and Rockhampton registries.

The Commonwealth Workplace Protection Orders Act 2025 (Cth) (CWPO Act) commences on 5 May 2026. From that date, the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2), exercising its General Federal Law jurisdiction, has jurisdiction to hear and determine applications for Commonwealth workplace protection orders.

The Courts have updated the following family law forms: Response to Initiating Application, Undertaking, Third Party Debt Notice, Enforcement Warrant, Affidavit: Translation of Marriage Certificate, Notice of Address for Service

Several Court forms have had updates made to them and reissued

The Courts are pleased to announce the commencement of the Interpreter Practice Direction, which takes effect from 1 December 2025.

From 31 October 2025 additional documents will be required when filing an Application for Consent Orders on the Commonwealth Courts Portal

The Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2) (General Federal Law) Rules 2025 (new GFL Rules) commence on 1 September 2025. In addition to the new GFL Rules there will also be changes to the general federal law and migration Practice Directions and court forms.

The Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2) (General Federal Law) Rules 2025 (New GFL Rules) have been made by the Court, and will commence on 1 September 2025.

This update is to inform the public and profession of a change to the title of private practitioners who prepare 62G family reports, pursuant to an appointment under the Family Law Regulations.

The Family Law Amendment Act 2024 (the Amendment Act) commences on 10 June 2025. As a result, the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Family Law) Rules 2021 (the Rules) have been amended.

As a result of the Family Law Amendment Act 2024 (Cth) changes commencing on 10 June 2025, and consequential changes to the Family Law Rules, there will be minor amendments to several family law Practice Directions. The new Practice Directions will be published on 10 June 2025.

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.

On 10 May 2025, the Courts will automatically end legal practitioners’ access to family law files on the Commonwealth Courts Portal (CCP) 60 days after all applications on the file are finalised.