News and media centre

This update provides important information about Applications for Review filed after close of filing on Wednesday, 10 December 2025.

Some of Australia’s most influential leaders are stepping up to tackle one of the nation’s most urgent challenges — domestic and family violence. More than 100 leaders from sport, business, education, government and media will unite at a landmark Family Violence Prevention Forum to drive cultural change and champion evidence-based strategies that prevent violence before it starts.

The Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia is thrilled to welcome Bonnie - the first Facility Dog to serve in a federal jurisdiction in South Australia.

The Courts are pleased to announce the commencement of the Interpreter Practice Direction, which takes effect from 1 December 2025.

Darwin Registry reopening Monday 24 November

The Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 1 and Division 2) (‘the Courts’) announce the launch of ‘

Registry opening hours from 25 December 2025 to 7 January 2026 for all Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia registries and contact information during this time.

Coinciding with National Children’s Week, the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 1) and (Division 2) (the Courts/FCFCOA) have proudly launched the Courts’ Children’s Charter and Kids’ Corner — two new initiatives designed to support children whose parents are separating and are involved in family law proceedings.

From 31 October 2025 additional documents will be required when filing an Application for Consent Orders on the Commonwealth Courts Portal

The Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2) is pleased to welcome 6 new judicial appointments announced by the Attorney-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, the Honourable Michelle Rowland MP.

The Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2) (General Federal Law) Rules 2025 (new GFL Rules) commence on 1 September 2025. In addition to the new GFL Rules there will also be changes to the general federal law and migration Practice Directions and court forms.

The Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2) (General Federal Law) Rules 2025 (New GFL Rules) have been made by the Court, and will commence on 1 September 2025.

The Courts are grateful to have received a copy of the Report following the statutory review of the operation of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia Act 2021 (Cth) from the Attorney-General, the Hon Michelle Rowland MP.

The Hon Deputy Chief Justice Robert McClelland AO and Ms Hayley Foster, Director – Family Violence and Access, Equity and Inclusion from the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 1) and (Division 2) (the Courts), today joined Mr David Mandel of the Safe & Together Institute to address the Ending Coercive Control & Family Violence conference, held in Sydney.

The Hon William Alstergren AO, Chief Justice of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 1) and (Division 2) (the Courts), gave the opening address for the 9th World Congress on Family Law & Children's Rights in the United Kingdom, highlighting the Courts' innovative and comprehensive approaches to addressing family violence in Australia.
Speaking to an international audience of judges, lawyers, psychologists, and other experts working in family law, Chief Justice Alstergren's presentation, titled "It's time for change - innovative approaches to deal with family violence," detailed the significant advancements made by the Courts in managing family violence within family law proceedings.