Preventing child abduction
If you are concerned that your child may be removed from Australia you can take steps to prevent wrongful removal in the future:
- Obtain a court order prohibiting the removal of the child from Australia
- If you have a court order for the residence or contact of a child, or an order prohibiting the removal of a child from Australia, the police can put the child’s name on the airport watch list. In an emergency, the police can also act if you have applied for such an order. Contact the Australian Federal Police in your nearest capital city
- If you do not have a court order, contact a solicitor, community legal centre or legal aid body for advice on obtaining an order. All registries of the Family Court have an after hours emergency phone service. Check your local area telephone directory for the number
- The details of an order prohibiting the removal of the child from Australia, which is entered on the Airport Watch List, is effective for an indefinite period. The details of a residence or contact order entered on the Airport Watch List must be renewed every six months to remain effective in preventing a child’s departure
- You may be able to prevent the issue of an Australian passport for the child. Contact the Passports Office (Telephone 13 12 32), and
- You may be able to prevent the issue of a foreign passport for the child by contacting the relevant consular office in the relevant Australian State.