Families and Marriage Publications

Annual Report of the Family Law Council for the period of 1 July 2023 to 30 June 2024.

In response to terms of reference endorsed by the Attorney-General, the Council considered how family violence is taken into account by the Australian family court takes family violence into account, in cases brought under the Family Law (Child Abduction Convention) Regulations 1986. These regulations implement the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction) (the ‘Hague Convention’).

Minutes from the Family Law Council’s meeting held on 7-8 March 2024 in Canberra.

Minutes from the Family Law Council’s meeting held on 6-7 June 2024 in Sydney.

This fact sheet has practical information on the 1980 Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction to support legal practitioners in international child abduction matters.

What to consider when making a parenting plan, including who can make a parenting plan, what it can include, and the need to prioritise the best interests of the child.

Young people have unique experiences of coercive control and these fact sheets are designed to assist them to identify coercive control and know where to seek help if needed.

Young people have unique experiences of coercive control and these fact sheets are designed to assist them to identify coercive control and know where to seek help if needed.

In June 2024, Mr Andrew Metcalfe AO completed the final report of the review of the Family Relationships Services Program (FRSP).

This FAQ document provides parents with information on the 2024 changes to the Family Law Act. It outlines key changes that you should be aware of when agreeing to arrangements for your child or when asking the court to make parenting orders under the new laws.

This statement certifies that the Abuse of Older People Awareness Campaign complies with the Australian Government Guidelines on Information and Advertising Campaigns by non-corporate Commonwealth entities.

This submission responds to the Family Law Amendment (No.2) Bill 2023 consultation run by the Attorney-General's Department. It mainly focuses on those areas that overlap with the Family Law Council's terms of reference. The Family Law Council made the submission on 10 November 2023.

This submission responds to the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee inquiry into the Family Law Amendment Bill 2023. The Family Law Council made this submission on 22 June 2023.

This submission responds to the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee inquiry into the Family Law Amendment (Information Sharing) Bill 2023. The Family Law Council made this submission on 31 May 2023.

Minutes from the Family Law Council's meeting held on 27-28 November 2023 in Adelaide.

Minutes from the Family Law Council’s meeting held on 28-29 August 2023 in Brisbane.

This family law – parenting arrangements for children after separation fact sheet explains parenting concepts in Australian family law, including parenting arrangements, parenting plans, parenting orders and consent orders. If you want to know what the law says about parenting children after separation or divorce, and what parenting arrangements to make for children after separation or divorce and how to go about it, this parenting fact sheet will help.

The fact sheet for professionals provides a detailed explanation on the changes to the Family Law Act made by the Family Law Amendment (Information Sharing) Act 2023 (Information Sharing Act), including in relation to the: repeal of section 69ZW; creation of two new information sharing orders in child-related proceedings for particulars, documents and information relating to family violence, neglect and risk from prescribed information sharing agencies (police, child protection, and firearm agencies) to family law courts; disclosure of protected material into evidence; information sharing safeguards; and the restriction on subpoenas.

The fact sheet for parents provides an overview on the changes to the Family Law Act made by the Family Law Amendment (Information Sharing) Act 2023 (Information Sharing Act), including the creation of two new information sharing orders in child-related proceedings for particulars, documents and information relating to family violence, neglect and risk from police, child protection, and firearm agencies to family law courts.

Coercive control can happen in intimate partner relationships, even after they’ve ended. It can also happen in family relationships. For example, a person can use coercive control against a family member they are caring for.