Resources

The Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia has developed new rules of court for all proceedings in the Court with effect from 1 September 2021. Various new Practice Directions and Information Notices have been issued to accompany the new rules. This Practice Direction formally revokes a number of outdated or superseded Practice Directions and Information Notices issued by the Family Court of Australia or Federal Circuit Court of Australia prior to the commencement of the operation of the Court on 1 September 2021.

This Practice Direction was revoked 4 November 2022.

This information notice establishes the manner in which files in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia may be constituted.

This Information Notice was revoked 3 May 2024.

This Special Measures Information Notice sets out arrangements for the continued operation of subpoena inspections in the Dandenong, Dubbo, Melbourne, Newcastle, Parramatta, Sydney and Wollongong registries during the COVID-19 pandemic.

These Guidelines have been issued to provide guidance to the Independent Children’s Lawyer (ICL) on fulfilling their unique role and responsibilities, as the independent lawyer appointed to represent and promote the best interests of a child in family law proceedings.

The Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (the Court) deals with a wide range of matters, sharing jurisdiction with the Federal Court of Australia and, in some cases, state courts. The Court’s rules and procedures are simpler and less formal, and aim to reduce the cost and number of court appearances for clients.

In general federal law proceedings, the Court normally awards costs to a successful party. They are intended to reimburse a party (usually the successful one) for their legal costs. The costs awarded are normally only part of the costs incurred. These are referred to as party-party costs. Costs may be awarded before a final hearing; for example if a party has not complied with a timetable and the other party brings the matter back to court for further directions.

Checklist for creditor's petition in bankruptcy proceedings

This information sheet sets out general information on the options available to a debtor who is served with a Creditor's Petition to make them a bankrupt. This includes general information on how to oppose a petition where valid legal grounds exist and asking for more time to pay the debt or get legal or financial advice.

This guide will be published shortly.

This brochure answers frequently asked questions about enforcement hearings in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (the Court). An enforcement hearing allows a person who is owed money (the payee) to get information about the financial situation of the person who owes the money (the payer).

This brochure is for people who have been served with: A subpoena, and who are required to comply with the subpoena (named person), or; A copy of a subpoena as a party or interested person, and who may want to object to the inspecting or copying of a document/s to be produced in compliance with the subpoena. It provides information about the use of, and compliance with, subpoenas in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (the Court).

This form is used to respond to an Application in a Proceeding if you oppose the orders sought or you are asking the Court to make other orders.   

For law firms to arrange for funds to be debited from an account by the Federal Court of Australia

Translated versions of the Family DOORS Triage risk screening and case management – Information sheet for parties

Information about the eligibility requirements to be exempt from paying court fees.

Information about eligibility to apply for a reduction of divorce fee - general

This fact sheet provides information for parents about the ways high levels of parental conflict can affect children, both in families who live together and in families who have separated.

A person owed money by another person under an order of a court or child support liability can enforce payment of the debt in the Court. One of the methods of enforcement is a Third Party Debt Notice. Under this Notice, the Court directs a third party to pay money that the third party owes to the respondent to the payee instead of the respondent. This brochure must be served on the third party named in a Third Party Debt Notice at the same time as the Notice.