Contents

Part I--Preliminary                                                                                                                 1

1............ Short title [see Note 1] ....................................................................... 1

2............ Commencement [see Note 1] .............................................................. 1

3............ Repeal and saving ............................................................................... 1

4............ Interpretation ...................................................................................... 2

4A......... Third party proceedings to set aside financial agreement ................. 23

5............ Debtor subject to a personal insolvency agreement ......................... 24

6............ Polygamous marriages ...................................................................... 24

7............ Extension of Act to certain Territories ............................................. 24

7A......... Application of the Criminal Code .................................................... 25

8............ Supersession of existing laws ........................................................... 25

9............ Transitional ....................................................................................... 25

Part IA--Protection of names                                                                                         29

9A......... Use of protected names and symbols ............................................... 29

Part II--Non‑court based family services                                                               31

Division 1--Accreditation of family counsellors, family dispute resolution practitioners and other family service providers                                                                                 31

10A....... Accreditation Rules .......................................................................... 31

Division 2--Family counselling                                                                              33

10B....... Definition of family counselling ........................................................ 33

10C....... Definition of family counsellor ......................................................... 33

10D....... Confidentiality of communications in family counselling ................ 34

10E........ Admissibility of communications in family counselling and in referrals from family counselling            35

Division 3--Family dispute resolution                                                               37

10F........ Definition of family dispute resolution ............................................. 37

10G....... Definition of family dispute resolution practitioner .......................... 37

10H....... Confidentiality of communications in family dispute resolution ..... 37

10J........ Admissibility of communications in family dispute resolution and in referrals from family dispute resolution     39

10K....... Family dispute resolution practitioners must comply with regulations   40

Division 4--Arbitration                                                                                              41

10L........ Definition of arbitration ................................................................... 41

10M...... Definition of arbitrator .................................................................... 41

10N....... Arbitrators may charge fees for their services .................................. 41

10P........ Immunity of arbitrators .................................................................... 42

Part III--Family consultants                                                                                           43

Division 1--About family consultants                                                                 43

11A....... Functions of family consultants ....................................................... 43

11B....... Definition of family consultant ......................................................... 43

11C....... Admissibility of communications with family consultants and referrals from family consultants          44

11D....... Immunity of family consultants ....................................................... 44

Division 2--Courts' use of family consultants                                               45

11E........ Courts to consider seeking advice from family consultants ............. 45

11F........ Court may order parties to attend appointments with a family consultant             45

11G....... Consequences of failure to comply with order under section 11F ... 46

Part IIIA--Obligations to inform people about non‑court based family services and about court's processes and services                                                                                                           47

Division 1--Introduction                                                                                           47

12A....... Objects of this Part ........................................................................... 47

Division 2--Kind of information to be provided                                           48

12B....... Prescribed information about non‑court based family services and court's processes and services        48

12C....... Prescribed information about reconciliation ..................................... 48

12D....... Prescribed information about Part VII proceedings .......................... 48

Division 3--Who must provide information, and when                             49

12E........ Obligations on legal practitioners ..................................................... 49

12F........ Obligations on principal executive officers of courts ....................... 49

12G....... Obligations on family counsellors, family dispute resolution practitioners and arbitrators     50

Part IIIB--Court's powers in relation to court and non‑court based family services           51

Division 1--Introduction                                                                                           51

13A....... Objects of this Part ........................................................................... 51

Division 2--Help with reconciliation                                                                   52

13B....... Court to accommodate possible reconciliations ............................... 52

Division 3--Referrals to family counselling, family dispute resolution and other family services           53

13C....... Court may refer parties to family counselling, family dispute resolution and other family services       53

13D....... Consequences of failure to comply with order under section 13C ... 54

Division 4--Court's role in relation to arbitration of disputes              55

13E........ Court may refer Part VIII proceedings to arbitration ....................... 55

13F........ Court may make orders to facilitate arbitration of certain disputes . 55

13G....... Family Court and Federal Magistrates Court may determine questions of law referred by arbitrator    55

13H....... Awards made in arbitration may be registered in court .................... 56

13J........ Family Court or Federal Magistrates Court can review registered awards               56

13K....... Family Court and Federal Magistrates Court may set aside registered awards        57

Part IV--The Family Court of Australia                                                                   58

Division 1--Interpretation                                                                                        58

20.......... Interpretation .................................................................................... 58

Division 2--The Family Court of Australia                                                      59

21.......... Creation of Court .............................................................................. 59

21A....... Divisions of Court ............................................................................ 59

21B....... Arrangement of business of Court .................................................... 59

Division 3--Judges                                                                                                       61

22.......... Appointment, removal and resignation of Judges ............................ 61

23.......... Seniority ........................................................................................... 62

24.......... Absence or illness of Chief Judge ..................................................... 64

25.......... Salary and Allowances ...................................................................... 64

26.......... Oath or affirmation of allegiance and office ...................................... 65

Division 4--Judicial Registrars                                                                             66

26A....... Judicial Registrars ............................................................................. 66

26B....... Powers of Judicial Registrars ............................................................ 66

26C....... Review of decisions of Judicial Registrars ........................................ 67

26D....... Exercise of delegated powers by Court ............................................ 68

26E........ Application of the Legislative Instruments Act 2003 to rules of court 68

26F........ Independence of Judicial Registrars .................................................. 69

26G....... Judicial Registrars hold office on full time or part time basis ........... 69

26H....... Qualifications for appointment etc. .................................................. 69

26I......... Term of office ................................................................................... 69

26J........ Remuneration and allowances ........................................................... 69

26JA..... Leave of absence ............................................................................... 70

26K....... Resignation ....................................................................................... 70

26L........ Termination of appointment ............................................................ 70

26M...... Oath or affirmation of office ............................................................. 70

26N....... Terms and conditions of appointment not provided for by Act ...... 71

Division 5--Jurisdiction and exercise of jurisdiction                                 72

27.......... Place of sitting .................................................................................. 72

27A....... Change of venue ................................................................................ 72

28.......... Exercise of jurisdiction ...................................................................... 72

30.......... Court divided in opinion ................................................................... 73

31.......... Original jurisdiction of Family Court ............................................... 74

33.......... Jurisdiction in associated matters ..................................................... 74

33A....... Proceedings not to be instituted in the Family Court if an associated matter is before the Federal Magistrates Court .......................................................................................................... 75

33B....... Discretionary transfer of proceedings to the Federal Magistrates Court                 75

33C....... Mandatory transfer of proceedings to the Federal Magistrates Court 77

34.......... Issue of certain writs etc. .................................................................. 78

35.......... Contempt of court ............................................................................ 78

Division 6--Registries and officers                                                                     79

36.......... Registries .......................................................................................... 79

37.......... Officers of Court .............................................................................. 79

37A....... Delegation of powers to Registrars .................................................. 79

37B....... Independence of Registrars ............................................................... 83

37C....... Oath or affirmation of office ............................................................. 84

Division 7--Practice and procedure                                                                    85

38.......... Practice and procedure ...................................................................... 85

Part IVA--Management of the Court                                                                        86

Division 1--Management responsibilities of the Chief Judge and the Chief Executive Officer              86

38A....... Management of administrative affairs of Court ................................ 86

38B....... Chief Executive Officer ..................................................................... 86

Division 1A--Administration of Court's family services                         87

38BA.... Chief Executive Officer has functions of family consultants ........... 87

38BB..... Chief Executive Officer may delegate powers and functions that relate to family consultants                87

38BC..... Chief Executive Officer may give directions that relate to family services functions               87

38BD.... Chief Executive Officer may authorise officer or staff member to act as family counsellor or family dispute resolution practitioner ....................................................................................... 88

Division 2--Appointment, powers etc. of Chief Executive Officer    89

38C....... Appointment of Chief Executive Officer ......................................... 89

38D....... Powers of Chief Executive Officer ................................................... 89

38E........ Remuneration of Chief Executive Officer ......................................... 89

38F........ Terms and conditions of appointment of Chief Executive Officer ... 89

38G....... Leave of absence ............................................................................... 90

38H....... Resignation ....................................................................................... 90

38J........ Outside employment of Chief Executive Officer ............................. 90

38K....... Termination of appointment ............................................................ 90

38L........ Disclosure of interests by Chief Executive Officer .......................... 92

38M...... Acting Chief Executive Officer ......................................................... 92

Division 3--Other officers and staff of Registries                                       93

38N....... Personnel other than the Chief Executive Officer ............................. 93

38P........ Marshal ............................................................................................. 94

38Q....... Statutory Agency etc. for purposes of Public Service Act .............. 94

38R....... Engagement of consultants etc. ......................................................... 94

Division 4--Miscellaneous administrative matters                                    96

38S........ Annual report ................................................................................... 96

38W...... Delegation of administrative powers of Chief Judge ........................ 96

38X....... Proceedings arising out of administration of Court .......................... 96

Part V--Jurisdiction in matrimonial causes                                                            97

39.......... Jurisdiction in matrimonial causes .................................................... 97

40.......... Jurisdiction of Family Court .......................................................... 100

40A....... Exercise of jurisdiction of Federal Magistrates Court in certain States and Territories            102

41.......... Establishment of State Family Courts ............................................ 102

42.......... Law to be applied ........................................................................... 104

43.......... Principles to be applied by courts .................................................. 104

44.......... Institution of proceedings ............................................................... 104

44A....... Proceedings for divorce order ......................................................... 108

45.......... Stay and transfer of proceedings .................................................... 108

46.......... Transfer of proceedings from court of summary jurisdiction in certain cases          109

47.......... Courts to act in aid of each other .................................................... 111

Part VI--Divorce and nullity of marriage                                                              112

48.......... Divorce ........................................................................................... 112

49.......... Meaning of separation .................................................................... 112

50.......... Effect of resumption of cohabitation .............................................. 112

51.......... Nullity of marriage .......................................................................... 113

52.......... Court not to make divorce order where application for decree of nullity before it 113

53.......... Circumstances occurring before commencement of Act or outside Australia           113

55.......... When divorce order takes effect ..................................................... 113

55A....... Divorce order where children .......................................................... 115

56.......... Certificate as to divorce order ......................................................... 115

57.......... Rescission of divorce order where parties reconciled ..................... 116

58.......... Rescission of divorce order on ground of miscarriage of justice ..... 116

59.......... Re‑marriage ..................................................................................... 116

Part VII--Children                                                                                                              117

Division 1--Introductory                                                                                         117

Subdivision A--What this Division does                                                             117

60A....... What this Division does ................................................................. 117

Subdivision B--Object, principles and outline                                                   117

60B....... Objects of Part and principles underlying it ................................... 117

60C....... Outline of Part ................................................................................ 118

Subdivision BA--Best interests of the child                                                       122

60CA.... Child's best interests paramount consideration in making a parenting order           122

60CB..... Proceedings to which Subdivision applies ...................................... 122

60CC..... How a court determines what is in a child's best interests ............ 122

60CD.... How the views of a child are expressed .......................................... 125

60CE..... Children not required to express views .......................................... 126

60CF..... Informing court of relevant family violence orders ......................... 126

60CG.... Court to consider risk of family violence ....................................... 126

Subdivision C--Interpretation and application of Part                                      126

60E........ Application of Part to void marriages ............................................ 126

Subdivision D--Interpretation--how this Act applies to certain children    127

60F........ Certain children are children of marriage etc. .................................. 127

60G....... Family Court may grant leave for adoption proceedings by prescribed adopting parent        128

60H....... Children born as a result of artificial conception procedures ......... 128

Subdivision E--Family dispute resolution                                                           129

60I......... Attending family dispute resolution before applying for Part VII order 129

60J........ Family dispute resolution not attended because of child abuse or family violence 133

60K....... Court to take prompt action in relation to allegations of child abuse or family violence         134

Division 2--Parental responsibility                                                                    136

61A....... What this Division does ................................................................. 136

61B....... Meaning of parental responsibility ................................................. 136

61C....... Each parent has parental responsibility (subject to court orders) .. 136

61D....... Parenting orders and parental responsibility .................................. 137

61DA.... Presumption of equal shared parental responsibility when making parenting orders              137

61DB.... Application of presumption of equal shared parental responsibility after interim parenting order made               138

61E........ Effect of adoption on parental responsibility ................................ 138

61F........ Application to Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander children .......... 138

Division 3--Reports relating to children under 18                                   139

62A....... What this Division does ................................................................. 139

62B....... Court's obligation to inform people to whom Part VII orders apply about family counselling, family dispute resolution and other family services ............................................... 139

62G....... Reports by family consultants ....................................................... 139

Division 4--Parenting plans                                                                                   141

63A....... What this Division does ................................................................. 141

63B....... Parents encouraged to reach agreement ........................................... 141

63C....... Meaning of parenting plan and related terms ................................. 141

63CAA. Parenting plans may include child support provisions .................. 143

63D....... Parenting plan may be varied or revoked by further written agreement   143

63DA.... Obligations of advisers ................................................................... 144

63DB.... Registered parenting plans .............................................................. 146

63E........ Registration of a revocation of a registered parenting plan ............. 147

63F........ Child welfare provisions of registered parenting plans .................. 147

63G....... Child maintenance provisions of registered parenting plans--where not enforceable as maintenance agreements 148

63H....... Court's powers to set aside, discharge, vary, suspend or revive registered parenting plans    150

Division 5--Parenting orders--what they are                                              151

64A....... What this Division does ................................................................. 151

64B....... Meaning of parenting order and related terms ............................... 151

64C....... Parenting orders may be made in favour of parents or other persons 153

64D....... Parenting orders subject to later parenting plans ............................ 153

Division 6--Parenting orders other than child maintenance orders 154

Subdivision A--Introductory                                                                                  154

65A....... What this Division does ................................................................. 154

65AA.... Child's best interests paramount consideration in making a parenting order           154

65B....... Division does not apply to child maintenance orders .................... 155

Subdivision B--Applying for and making parenting orders                            155

65C....... Who may apply for a parenting order ............................................ 155

65D....... Court's power to make parenting order ......................................... 155

65DAA. Court to consider child spending equal time or substantial and significant time with each parent in certain circumstances .................................................................................. 156

65DAB. Court to have regard to parenting plans ......................................... 158

65DAC. Effect of parenting order that provides for shared parental responsibility              158

65DAE.. No need to consult on issues that are not major long‑term issues .. 159

65DA.... Parenting orders .............................................................................. 159

65F........ General requirements for counselling before parenting order made 160

65G....... Special conditions for making parenting order about whom a child lives with or the allocation of parental responsibility by consent in favour of non‑parent ................................................ 161

65H....... Children who are 18 or over or who have married or entered de facto relationships                162

65J........ Effect of adoption on parenting order ............................................ 162

65K....... What happens when parenting order that deals with whom a child lives with does not make provision in relation to death of parent with whom child lives ........................................... 163

65L........ Family consultants may be required to supervise or assist compliance with parenting orders                163

65LA..... Court may order attendance at a post‑separation parenting program 164

65LB..... Conditions for providers of post‑separation parenting programs .. 164

Subdivision C--General obligations created by certain parenting orders    165

65M...... General obligations created by parenting order that deals with whom a child lives with         165

65N....... General obligations created by parenting order that deals with whom a child spends time with             166

65NA.... General obligations created by parenting order that deals with whom a child communicates with          166

65P........ General obligations created by parenting order that allocates parental responsibility             166

65Q....... Court may issue warrant for arrest of alleged offender .................. 167

Subdivision D--Dealing with people who have been arrested                          167

65R....... Situation to which Subdivision applies .......................................... 167

65S........ Arrested person to be brought before a court ................................. 168

65T....... Obligation of court--where application before it to deal with contravention          168

65U....... Obligation of court--where no application before it, but application before another court, to deal with contravention ........................................................................................................ 169

65V....... Obligation of court--where no application before any court to deal with contravention        170

65W...... Applications heard as required by subsection 65T(2) or paragraph 65U(3)(b)       170

Subdivision E--Obligations under parenting orders relating to taking or sending children from Australia               170

65X....... Interpretation .................................................................................. 170

65Y....... Obligations if certain parenting orders have been made .................. 171

65Z....... Obligations if proceedings for the making of certain parenting orders are pending 171

65ZA.... Obligations of owners etc. of aircraft and vessels if certain parenting orders made                 172

65ZB..... Obligations of owners etc. of aircraft and vessels if proceedings for the making of certain parenting orders are pending ........................................................................................................ 173

65ZC..... General provisions applicable to sections 65ZA and 65ZB .......... 174

65ZD.... State or Territory laws stopping children leaving Australia not affected                 175

Division 7--Child maintenance orders                                                            176

Subdivision A--What this Division does                                                             176

66A....... What this Division does ................................................................. 176

Subdivision B--Objects and principles                                                                176

66B....... Objects ............................................................................................ 176

66C....... Principles--parents have primary duty to maintain ...................... 176

66D....... Principles--when step‑parents have a duty to maintain ............... 177

Subdivision C--Relationship with Child Support (Assessment) Act             177

66E........ Child maintenance order not to be made etc. if application for administrative assessment of child support could be made ................................................................................................ 177

Subdivision D--Applying for and making child maintenance orders            178

66F........ Who may apply for a child maintenance order ............................... 178

66G....... Court's power to make child maintenance order ............................ 178

66H....... Approach to be taken in proceedings for child maintenance order . 178

66J........ Matters to be taken into account in considering financial support necessary for maintenance of child   179

66K....... Matters to be taken into account in determining contribution that should be made by party etc.           180

66L........ Children who are 18 or over ........................................................... 181

66M...... When step‑parents have a duty to maintain ................................... 182

66N....... Determining financial contribution of step‑parent ......................... 182

Subdivision E--Other aspects of courts' powers                                                183

66P........ General powers of court ................................................................. 183

66Q....... Urgent child maintenance orders ..................................................... 184

66R....... Specification in orders of payments etc. for child maintenance purposes                184

66S........ Modification of child maintenance orders ...................................... 185

Subdivision EA--Varying the maintenance of certain children                      188

66SA..... Varying the maintenance of certain children ................................... 188

Subdivision F--When child maintenance orders stop being in force             189

66T....... Effect of child turning 18 ................................................................ 189

66U....... Effect of death of child, person liable to pay or person entitled to receive              189

66V....... Effect of adoption, marriage or entering into a de facto relationship 189

66VA.... Children who are 18 or over: change of circumstances ................... 190

66W...... Recovery of arrears ......................................................................... 190

Subdivision G--Recovery of amounts paid under maintenance orders          191

66X....... Recovery of amounts paid, and property transferred or settled, under maintenance orders    191

Division 8--Other matters relating to children                                           194

Subdivision A--What this Division does                                                             194

67A....... What this Division does ................................................................. 194

Subdivision B--Father's liability to contribute towards child bearing expenses if not married to mother     194

67B....... Father liable to contribute towards maintenance and expenses of mother                194

67C....... Matters to be taken into account in proceedings under Subdivision 195

67D....... Powers of court in proceedings under Subdivision ......................... 195

67E........ Urgent orders .................................................................................. 196

67F........ Who may institute proceedings ...................................................... 197

67G....... Time limit for institution of proceedings ........................................ 197

Subdivision C--Location and recovery of children                                            197

67J........ Meaning of location order and Commonwealth information order 197

67K....... Who may apply for a location order .............................................. 197

67L........ Child's best interests paramount consideration in making a location order              198

67M...... Provisions about location orders, other than Commonwealth information orders   198

67N....... Provisions about Commonwealth information orders .................... 199

67P........ Information provided under location order not to be disclosed except to limited persons       201

67Q....... Meaning of recovery order ............................................................. 202

67R....... How recovery orders authorise or direct people ............................ 203

67S........ How recovery orders to stop and search etc. name or describe vehicles, places etc.               203

67T....... Who may apply for a recovery order ............................................. 204

67U....... Court's power to make recovery order .......................................... 204

67V....... Child's best interests paramount consideration in making a recovery order            204

67W...... How long recovery order remains in force ...................................... 204

67X....... Persons not to prevent or hinder taking of action under recovery order 205

67Y....... Obligation to notify persons of child's return ................................ 205

Subdivision D--Allegations of child abuse                                                          206

67Z....... Where party to proceedings makes allegation of child abuse ......... 206

67ZA.... Where member of the Court personnel, family counsellor, family dispute resolution practitioner or arbitrator suspects child abuse etc. ................................................................................ 206

67ZB..... No liability for notification under section 67Z or 67ZA ................ 208

Subdivision E--Other orders about children                                                      208

67ZC..... Orders relating to welfare of children ............................................. 208

67ZD.... Orders for delivery of passports .................................................... 209

Division 9--Injunctions                                                                                            210

68A....... What this Division does ................................................................. 210

68B....... Injunctions ...................................................................................... 210

68C....... Powers of arrest .............................................................................. 211

Division 10--Independent representation of child's interests           212

68L........ Court order for independent representation of child's interests .... 212

68LA..... Role of independent children's lawyer ........................................... 213

68M...... Order that child be made available for examination ........................ 214

Division 11--Family violence                                                                                216

68N....... Purposes of this Division ............................................................... 216

68P........ Obligations of court making an order or granting an injunction under this Act that is inconsistent with an existing family violence order ...................................................................... 216

68Q....... Relationship of order or injunction made under this Act with existing inconsistent family violence order             218

68R....... Power of court making a family violence order to revive, vary, discharge or suspend an existing order, injunction or arrangement under this Act ............................................................. 219

68S........ Application of Act and Rules when exercising section 68R power 220

68T....... Special provisions relating to proceedings to make an interim (or interim variation of) family violence order        221

Division 12--Proceedings and jurisdiction                                                    222

Subdivision A--What this Division does                                                             222

69A....... What this Division does ................................................................. 222

Subdivision B--Institution of proceedings and procedure                               222

69B....... Certain proceedings to be instituted only under this Part .............. 222

69C....... Who may institute proceedings ...................................................... 222

69D....... Institution of maintenance proceedings by authorised authority or person             223

69E........ Child or parent to be present in Australia etc. ............................... 223

69F........ Applicant may be in contempt ....................................................... 224

Subdivision C--Jurisdiction of courts                                                                 224

69G....... Interpretation .................................................................................. 224

69H....... Jurisdiction of Family Court, State Family Courts, Northern Territory Supreme Court and Federal Magistrates Court ........................................................................................................ 224

69J........ Jurisdiction of courts of summary jurisdiction ............................... 224

69K....... Territory court does not have jurisdiction unless a party is ordinarily resident in the Territory            226

69L........ Jurisdiction in relation to transferred matters under other Commonwealth laws     226

69M...... Jurisdiction is additional to other jurisdiction ................................ 226

69N....... Transfer of proceedings from courts of summary jurisdiction in certain cases        226

Subdivision D--Presumptions of parentage                                                        228

69P........ Presumptions of parentage arising from marriage ........................... 228

69Q....... Presumption of paternity arising from cohabitation ...................... 228

69R....... Presumption of parentage arising from registration of birth ........... 229

69S........ Presumptions of parentage arising from findings of courts ............ 229

69T....... Presumption of paternity arising from acknowledgments .............. 230

69U....... Rebuttal of presumptions etc. ........................................................ 230

Subdivision E--Parentage evidence                                                                      230

69V....... Evidence of parentage ..................................................................... 230

69VA.... Declarations of parentage ............................................................... 231

69W...... Orders for carrying out of parentage testing procedures ................ 231

69X....... Orders associated with parentage testing orders ............................ 231

69XA.... Matters related particularly to parentage testing for purposes of an international agreement or arrangement        232

69Y....... Orders directed to persons 18 or over ............................................ 233

69Z....... Orders directed to children under 18 .............................................. 233

69ZA.... No liability if parent etc. consents ................................................. 233

69ZB..... Regulations about carrying out, and reporting on, parentage testing procedures     234

69ZC..... Reports of information obtained may be received in evidence ....... 234

69ZD.... Parentage testing for purposes of international maintenance agreements                 235

Subdivision F--Extension, application and additional operation of Part        236

69ZE..... Extension of Part to the States ....................................................... 236

69ZF..... Unless declaration in force, Part's extension to a State has effect subject to modifications     236

69ZG.... Application of Part in, and in relation to, Territories ..................... 237

69ZH.... Additional application of Part ........................................................ 237

69ZJ...... Additional jurisdiction of courts ..................................................... 238

69ZK.... Child welfare laws not affected ...................................................... 239

Division 12A--Principles for conducting child‑related proceedings 240

Subdivision A--Proceedings to which this Division applies                            240

69ZM... Proceedings to which this Division applies .................................... 240

Subdivision B--Principles for conducting child‑related proceedings           241

69ZN.... Principles for conducting child‑related proceedings ....................... 241

69ZO.... This Division also applies to proceedings in Chambers ................. 242

69ZP..... Powers under this Division may be exercised on court's own initiative