Home | Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia

Family Law changes from 6 May

Changes to the Family Law Act due to the commencement of the Family Law Amendment Act 2023 and Family Law Amendment (Information Sharing) Act 2023 commenced on 6 May 2024. This included changes to how the Courts will make parenting orders in the best interests of the child. Some court processes and forms changed.

Expansion of Lighthouse and Evatt List

The expansion of Lighthouse means that risk screening, triage and differentiated case management, including the Evatt List, is now available in 15 family law registries and offered to any party filing parenting only, and parenting and financial orders.

Watch the informative webinar about this important family violence and safety initiative.

Use dispute resolution to reduce costs and emotional stress

Court proceedings should be a last resort. The Courts expect people to make genuine attempts to engage in dispute resolution, to avoid the time, cost and stress associated with litigation.

You can separate smarter

Where it is safe to do so, you can take ownership of your dispute. Whether you agree, partially agree or don’t agree at all. You can mediate at any stage, as many times as you need. It is time we started thinking differently about family law disputes.

Courts responsive to family violence and risk to children

The Courts place children, litigants and their safety at the heart of the process.
For some families, it may be unsafe to resolve their disputes without the help of the Courts process and Court orders. Remember, there are people who can help you.

Expertise and resources to deliver initiatives

For those matters that need to proceed to trial parties can be confident in the process which has integrity, the expertise of judges, judicial registrars, court child experts and staff, delivering a world-leading federal law system.

QUICK LINKS

Family law

Divorce, separation, children, property and other family law matters.

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Migration law

The Court can review some decisions made under the Migration Act 1958.

Migration  law

General federal law

Bankruptcy, fair work, human rights, consumer, admiralty, administrative and IP.

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Attending court

Etiquette and tips

Information about the etiquette required in court as well as tips and other important information on how to prepare for coming to court.

Read about court etiquette and tips

Electronic hearings

Information about attending an electronic court hearing via video link or telephone.

Read about electronic hearings

Representing myself

Information about the things you need to consider if you are representing yourself in court.

Read about representing yourself

Safety at court

Information about what to do and how the Court can assist you if you have any safety concerns when attending court.

Read about safety at court

Court support

Information about the range of support services that are available and what you need to do if you have special circumstances.

Read about court support

Hearing types

Information about the types of court events that are held.

Read about hearing types

Helpful videos

What is an Indigenous Family Liaison Officer?

This video is for families that need help and support to resolve issues relating to the care and living arrangements of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander children. The video features Indigenous Family Liaison Officers from the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia, who talk about the role and how they can provide support to families.

3:30 min

What is family violence?

Family violence is a serious problem in our community. The Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Court) deals with families and relationships and a significant proportion of matters before the Court involve allegations of family violence. The focus of this video is on family violence and what it means.

4:03 MIN

How the voice of the child is heard?

The court process is designed to balance the need to protect children from conflict with the child’s right to have a voice in decisions being made about them. This video is about how a child’s voice is considered in a family law case in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia.

3:56 MIN

How the Court process works for parenting cases

Every case is different and may be handled differently depending on the needs of your family. This video explains the usual process of a family law case involving children and provides an overview of what can be expected in most cases in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia.

7:00 MIN

You can separate smarter

Did you know, you don’t need to argue? If it is safe to do so, there is a better way to separate. You can take ownership of your dispute. This video provides tips on how to separate smarter - whether you agree or partially agree, perhaps you can’t agree at all.

3:45 min

Attending court

Helpful videos

News and media
centre

Media Release: Chief Justice Alstergren joins call to action at No to Violence National Conference

Media Release: New judicial appointments to the Sydney and Parramatta registries of the FCFCOA (Division 2)

Media Release: Nine judicial appointments to help deal with migration cases in FCFCOA (Division 2)

Media Release: Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia presents at GARMA following successful First Nations Forum

Attending court

Helpful videos

News and media centre

News and media
centre