This fact sheet provides information about the role of Indigenous Family Liaison Officers (IFLOs) in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (the Courts).
The Courts
The Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 1 and Division 2) help families work out problems they may have when families have separated. They are not criminal courts, they are civil courts that are here to help families with a focus on keeping children safe.
When you and your ex-partner or other family members can’t agree on things like who the children will live with, how much time the children will spend with each parent, grandparent, carers or other family members, you can ask the Courts to help you decide. The Courts can also help you work out financial or property matters connected to your separation.
The Courts have services available to assist Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Indigenous Family Liaison Officers
Indigenous Family Liaison Officers (IFLOs) work for the Courts and are located in many locations across Australia.
IFLOs are there to help and support families to understand and engage with the Court process. They can also help people who are involved in a family law issue by connecting them to legal and other support services.
IFLOs are impartial which means IFLOs can help all sides of the family coming to Court – IFLOs do not take sides.
Some ways that an IFLO may assist
IFLOs are essential links between the community and the Courts and are available to assist at any time during the process.
IFLOs can:
- attend court hearings or other court events to provide support and explain the process
- assist with accessing court information and filing documents
- connect you to legal and other community based services
- assist with connecting you with Court Ordered programs
- talk to community about family law and the Court process
- explain practical reasons that may affect you doing what the Court has asked, and
- visit services, legal profession and community to talk about the Courts and the IFLO role.
It is important to know that there are some things an IFLO cannot do for legal reasons. Most importantly, IFLOs cannot give legal advice, represent or argue for you and IFLOs do not have any power to make or change decisions of the Court.
Specialist Indigenous List
The Courts run Specialist Indigenous Lists to focus support that helps Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and the people who are seeking Court Orders regarding the care and living arrangements for a child(ren), and may include non-Indigenous parents or carers.
Indigenous Lists are different from other court lists:
- they are less formal
- offer specialised support services, and
- allow the Judge to close the courtroom to the public (if needed).
If you would like to be included in the Specialist Indigenous List, please see the Courts’ website for more information.
IFLO locations
The Courts registries are located in major centres. The Courts also circuit to rural and regional areas across Australia.
IFLOs are based in many locations and service broad areas as outlined in the below map.
Contacting the Courts (family law)
Phone: 1300 352 000
Int: +61 2 8833 7412
8.30am to 5.00pm (AEST), Monday-Friday
Visit: www.fcfcoa.gov.au/contact-us
Indigenous Family Liaison Officers
If you would like the support of an Indigenous Family Liaison Officer please contact the IFLOs in your area, 8.30am to 5.00pm (AEST), Monday – Friday:
|
Region |
Contact number |
|---|---|
| Darwin | 0447 061 851 |
| Townsville | 0499 567 790 |
| Brisbane | 0492 142 858 or 0418 658 480 |
| Lismore | 0455 124 174 |
| Newcastle | 0499 806 535 |
| Parramatta | 0461 573 293 |
| Melbourne | 0407 882 077 or 0459 358 920 |
| Launceston | 0474 469 933 |
| Adelaide | 0427 897 672 |
Support services
13YARN
Crisis support
13 92 76
Family Relationship Advice Line
1800 050 321 | www.fral.org.au
Family Advocacy & Support Service
Legal advice – domestic & family violence
1800 737 732 | familyviolencelaw.gov.au/fass
Indigenous Legal Aid Services
ACT/New South Wales
Aboriginal Legal Service
1800 733 233 or (02) 8836 3444
Victoria
Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service
1800 064 865
Queensland
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Service
1800 012 255
South Australia
Aboriginal Legal Rights Movement
1800 643 222
Tasmania
Tasmanian Aboriginal Legal Service
1800 595 162
Northern Territory
North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency
1800 898 251
Central Australian Aboriginal Legal Aid Service
1800 636 079
Family Violence Prevention Legal Services
New South Wales
Thiyama-li Family Violence Service Inc.
02 6752 1188
Warra-Warra Family Violence Prevention Legal Service
08 8087 6766
Binaal Billa Family Violence Prevention Legal Service
1800 700 218
Many Rivers Family Violence Prevention Legal Service
02 6562 5856
Victoria
Djirra
1800 105 303
Queensland
Aboriginal Family Legal Service Queensland
07 4614 7116
Queensland Indigenous Family Violence Legal Service
07 4045 7500
South Australia
Family Violence Legal Service Aboriginal Corporation
1800 309 912
Tasmania
SiS Tasmania
1800 747 827
Northern Territory
North Australian Aboriginal Family Legal Service
08 8923 8200
Central Australian Aboriginal Family Legal Unit
1800 088 884
Ngaanyatjarra Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Women’s Council Domestic and Family Violence Service
1800 180 840
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