Children’s Contact Services

Children's Contact Services (CCSs) assist children of separated parents to have contact with parents and family members. Many of the families who use CCS have been referred by the courts or a family law professional.

CCSs have a unique role in the family law system. They deliver a service that provides a safe environment for children to maintain contact with parents and family members they do not live with, while supporting separating families to transition to self-managed parenting arrangements (where it is safe to do so).

There are 2 types of providers in the CCS sector: government-funded services and private operators. Government-funded services exist in every state and territory.

Government-funded services are subject to the requirements of the Guiding Principles Framework for Good Practice.

Find a government-funded CCS near you.

Responding to the 2019 Inquiry into the Family Law System

In 2019, the Australian Law Reform Commission (ALRC) handed down the report on its review into the family law system. Read a copy of the Family Law for the Future – An Inquiry into the Family Law System (final report).

The ALRC recommended accreditation of the CCS sector. In 2021 and 2022, we consulted with the sector on this issue. Find out more about Children’s Contact Services Reform.

Evaluation of Children’s Contact Services grant activity

We have engaged the Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS) to undertake an evaluation of the Children’s Contact Services grant activity.

The evaluation will consider the history of CCSs and the current context in which government-funded CCSs operate. In particular, it will look at how well:

• the program operates in accordance with, and achieves the objectives of, the relevant guiding documents (including the Grant Opportunity Guidelines and the Guiding Principles Framework for Good Practice)
• the program is culturally appropriate for culturally and linguistically diverse communities and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
• the program supports families experiencing family and domestic violence
• the current number and locations of CCSs meet existing demand for the service.

Visit the Australian Institute of Family Studies website to find out more.