Background

Corporate Plan 2016 - 2020

Family Court of Australia

The Family Court of Australia (FCoA) is a superior court of record established by Parliament in 1975 under Chapter III of the Constitution. The FCoA operates under the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth) and through its specialist judges and staff, helps Australians to resolve their most complex family disputes.

The Court is a superior court of record and equity exercising appellate and trial level jurisdiction. At trial level, the Court deals with the most complex parenting and financial cases and hears cases arising under the regulations implementing the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of Child Abduction. It has a substantial appellate jurisdiction and hears appeals from decisions of single judges of the Court and from the Federal Circuit Court of Australia in family law matters.

The Chief Justice is the head of jurisdiction and is responsible for managing the administrative affairs of the Court. The Chief Justice is assisted by the Deputy Chief Justice and other judges of the Court. The Chief Justice is also assisted by the Chief Executive Officer and Principal Registrar who is appointed by the Governor-General on the nomination of the Chief Justice.

The purpose of the FCoA as Australia’s superior court in family law is to:

  • determine cases with the most complex law, facts and parties
  • cover specialised areas in family law, and
  • provide national coverage as the appellate court in family law matters.

Our vision

The Court’s vision provides for:

  • putting children and families first in the design and delivery of services
  • furthering functional family relationships after separation
  • ensuring independence and impartiality in the judicial process
  • having staff who are valued for providing quality service for families
  • providing quality child dispute services for families, and
  • being at the forefront of the development of services.

Our values

Prompt, courteous, efficient.

We are committed to upholding the Australian Public Service Values and Employment Principles and to comply with the Code of Conduct. We are impartial, committed to service, accountable, respectful and ethical.