Family Court
The Family Court of Australia is a federal (Commonwealth) court established under the Family Law Act 1975.
It deals with a range of matters arising out of relationship breakdowns, including divorce, property settlement and the care of children and young people.
The court's jurisdiction in relation to children includes the power to make decisions about:- Residence Orders - the person with whom a child or young person is to live
- Contact Orders - the contact between a child or young person and another person
- Specific Issues Orders - parental responsibility for making daily and long-term decisions about a child or young person's care, welfare and development
- Child Maintenance Orders - child support.
The court also has a broad welfare jurisdiction to deal with special matters such as consent to medical treatment and certain powers under international conventions.
Role of the Family Court
The role of the Family Court is to determine disputes between separated parents and other persons concerned with the child or young person's welfare or care.
In making its decisions, the Family Court's paramount consideration is the best interests of the child or young person.
This means that matters relating to a child's protection and care needs must be considered by the Family Court when making decisions.
Research indicates that a significant proportion of children's matters before the Family Court involve child protection issues.
- Last updated
- 3 August 2007