Going to court

You may need to go to court to deal with your family law matter.

You will need to go to court if you want to get a divorce, formalise a parenting or financial arrangement (known as getting ‘consent orders’), or the issue is urgent.

For most property and parenting arrangements, there are alternatives to court if you can reach agreement with your former partner.

You will need to go to court if you can’t reach an agreement with your former partner.

Which court you attend, and the process you will go through, will depend on your individual circumstances.

You can seek legal advice and have a lawyer represent you, or you can represent yourself (known as being a ‘self-represented litigant’).

The family law court websites have information, fact sheets and application kits to guide you through the court process.

Making a parenting agreement
The court process
Family law courts
Contacting the family law courts
Fees
Related links
Next steps

Making a parenting agreement

It is often better for everyone involved if you are able to make a parenting agreement without going to court. Going to court can be expensive and time consuming. It also puts a lot of stress on everyone. There is information and support available to help you make a parenting agreement without going to court.

The court process

You must be able to show that you have tried to resolve your matter before going to court.

If you cannot agree on arrangements for the care of your children, in most cases you will need to attend Family Dispute Resolution before going to court.

If the matter is urgent or if family violence has occurred, you may not need to attend Family Dispute Resolution. You may wish to seek legal advice if you think you do not need to attend.

If you only need to make arrangements about your property, you will not need to attend Family Dispute Resolution. However, you will need to attend some form of mediation before applying to court.

Going to court is expensive, time consuming and you may not end up with a result you agree with. Applying to the court for orders should be a last resort.

If you are applying for a divorce or consent orders, you will be able to apply to court without attending Family Dispute Resolution.

The Australian Government has published Model Parenting Orders Handbook, Parenting orders: what you need to know. The Handbook is a resource for separating parents to help prepare clear and practical parenting orders that focus on the best interests of the children.

Family law courts

The family law courts in Australia are:

The Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia
The Family Court of Western Australia

The Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia

On 1 September 2021, the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia was established, bringing together the Family Court of Australia and the Federal Circuit Court of Australia.

Further information is available from the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia website.

The Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia deals with all types of family law matters. There are two divisions within the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia: Division 1 and Division 2.

Judges and registrars work together to allocate cases to the most appropriate judge in the most appropriate division.

The Family Court of Western Australia

If you live in Western Australia, you will need to apply to the Family Court of Western Australia.

Contacting the family law courts

You can contact the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia directly for all enquiries on family law matters.

If you are in Western Australia, you can contact the Family Court of Western Australia.

Fees

There are fees for applying to court, which you will be responsible for. Information about current fees, including information about fee reductions or exemptions, can be found at the family law courts’ websites:

Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia fees

Family Court of Western Australia fees

As well as court filing fees, you will also be responsible for legal practitioner’s fees unless you are self-represented. Seek advice from your legal adviser about costs of going to court.

Case Study 1: Going to court for a divorce

An and Linh are married and do not have any children. They have decided to divorce. Linh finds that the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia website has lots of information about the process. After being separated for 12 months An and Linh decide that they want to make a joint application for their divorce. They are able to do this online.

An and Linh have also been able to work out between themselves how they would like their property divided. An uses the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia website which guides him through the process of applying for consent orders to formalise their agreement.

Case Study 2: Making an application to court about children

Jessica and Matthew are living together and have three children. Their relationship breaks down and they want to make arrangements for the care of their children. Jessica and Matthew arrange Family Dispute Resolution and try to come to an agreement. Unfortunately, Family Dispute Resolution is not successful. Their Family Dispute Resolution practitioner provides them with a certificate to say that they have attempted to resolve their matter.

Jessica wants to make an application to the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia for parenting orders. She finds that the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia website has information to guide her through this process. She is able to file an application and start the court process.