Resources

Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency

An Aboriginal child and family welfare organisation offering numerous programs to strengthen families, provide parenting support, and respond to family violence.

vacca.org/page/our-services

Elizabeth Morgan House Aboriginal Women's Service Inc

A service for Aboriginal women experiencing family violence. Services include counselling, court support, and a high security refuge.

emhaws.org.au

Relationships Australia Victoria (RAV) – Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Support Services

Information about the range of services offered by RAV to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities about family relationships.

relationshipsvictoria.org.au/services/aboriginal-and-torres-strait-islander-support

Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National)

Telephone and onsite interpreting and document translation services. Telephone interpreting can often be provided immediately without a booking.

tisnational.gov.au

inTouch Multicultural Centre Against Family Violence

A state-wide service for culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) people in response to family violence. Services include crisis support, phone service, therapeutic counselling, men's behaviour change program, group work, children's groups, women's groups, family camps, and holiday programs.

Ph: 1800 755 988

intouch.org.au

Attorney General’s Webpage

This website contains information about international child abduction, steps to prevent a child being removed from Australia, guide for applying for the return of a child taken from Australia under the Hague Convention and contact details.

ag.gov.au/international-parental-child-abduction

Australian Federal Police (AFP) – Family Law Watch List

This website includes information about the police and family law, the Family Law Watch List (airport watch list), how to place your child on the Family Law Watch List and what to do if your child is on the watch list.

afp.gov.au/family-law-watchlist

International Social Service (ISS) Australia

An independent, not for profit organisation that provides assistance to families experiencing international parental child abduction. Includes downloadable general information brochure about international parental child abduction.

iss.org.au

Australian Passport Office – Child Alert

This website includes information about making a Child Alert request with a link to the child alert request form.

passports.gov.au/help/child-alerts

Family Relationships Online and Advice Line

This website provides general information about and referrals to support services designed to help parents and their children through the separation process.

The Advice Line provides phone information and referrals: 1800 050 321.

familyrelationships.gov.au/home

Children’s Contact Services

Children’s Contact Services provide safe, neutral and child-focused venues for supervised visits and changeovers to occur between children and their parents and other significant persons in the child’s life.

ACCSA

ACCSA is a non-profit Association that provides an online directory of Children Contact Centres in Australia.

accsa.com.au

Support Services for Children

Children may be affected by their parents’ separation. Some children experience difficulties and require support to help build resilience.

Kids Helpline

A free 24 hour counselling service for young people aged 5–25 years.

kidshelpline.com.au

ReachOut

Wide variety of online resources for young people and their parents/carers including in relation to anxiety, bullying, depression, relationships and stress.

au.reachout.com

Family Mediation Centres

Child focussed counselling for young people experiencing emotional or behavioural issues.

mediation.com.au

Relationships Victoria

Wide range of services to support children, young people and their families through separation, family violence, mental or emotional health difficulties.

relationshipsvictoria.org.au

Family Reports

A Family Report is a document written by a Court Child Expert appointed by the Court. It provides an independent assessment of the issues in the case and can help the judge hearing the case to make decisions about arrangements for the child/ren. It may also help the parties reach an agreement. More information can be found on the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia website.

fcfcoa.gov.au/fl/pubs/family-reports

Post-Separation Parenting

Parenting after separation can be stressful. However, there are services available to help parents to adapt to parenting after separation, learn about children’s responses and reactions to separation and gain skills in shared parenting and conflict management.

LifeWorks

Individual counselling and group education courses.

relationshipmatters.com.au

Relationships Victoria

Group work and post separation parenting courses.

relationshipsvictoria.org.au

Independent Children’s Lawyers

An Independent Children’s Lawyer is a lawyer who represents a child’s/children’s best interests in family law proceedings. They present information to the court about a child’s welfare and views but do not represent a child directly. This website also includes information for children whose parents are attending court.

fcfcoa.gov.au/fl/children/icl

Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia

Since 1 September 2021, all family law proceedings (except those in Western Australia) are carried out in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (FCFCOA).

Information available includes daily Court lists, online forms, downloadable brochures, Court filing fees, costs, judgments, legislation and contact details. The website contains a wide range of useful information and resources for separated parents and couples, children and young people, grandparents and other family members, including issues arising upon separation, divorce, child-related issues, family violence, property and financial matters, and the court process. It also includes helpful videos explaining what to expect if your family law matter proceeds to court.

fcfcoa.gov.au/fl

Magistrates' Court of Victoria

Information available includes daily Court lists, online forms, legislation and contact details. The website also contains a range of information regarding intervention orders, personal safety intervention orders and court support services.

mcv.vic.gov.au

Family Relationship Centres

This website provides general information about ways you can reach agreement about your parenting and property issues without attending court. The Advice Line also provides phone information and referrals.

Ph: 1800 050 321

familyrelationships.gov.au

Arbitration and Mediation

AIFLAM – The Australian Institute of Family Law Arbitrators and Mediators

An independent body that promotes and offers training in both family law arbitration and mediation. Jacky Campbell is a member of AIFLAM and is an arbitrator listed on this website.

aiflam.org.au

Federal Circuit and Family Court

The Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia provides many resources and information sheets on family violence, help and support, safety at court and frequently asked questions.

fcfcoa.gov.au/fl/fv/overview

Intervention Orders

The Magistrates' Court of Victoria can make intervention orders to protect people who have experienced violent, threatening or abusive behaviour.

mcv.vic.gov.au/intervention-orders

Reporting Family Violence to Police

If you are in immediate danger, please call 000.

You can make non-immediate reports of family violence to police in your state or territory by visiting a police station or calling the non-urgent police assistance line.

Ph: 131 444

Support Services

A wide range of services are available to offer information and support for those experiencing or who have experienced family violence.

1800RESPECT National Sexual Assault, Family & Domestic Violence Counselling Service

National 24/7 phone and online referral, information and support service for men, women and children.

Ph: 1800 737 732

1800respect.org.au

Safe and Equal

Not-for-profit statewide resource centre that provides training, publications, research and other resources for those experiencing (or who have experienced) family violence, and practitioners and service organisations who work with family violence survivors.

safeandequal.org.au

Family Advocacy and Support Service (FASS)

Support at court for those affected by family violence. FASS support workers can offer assistance in a number of areas, including planning for safety at court.

familyviolencelaw.gov.au/fass

Safe Steps

Emergency accommodation, 24-hour crisis line, referral, information and support services for women and children.

safesteps.org.au

Full Stop Australia

National, not-for-profit organisation that provides support for people affected by sexual, domestic and/or family violence. Counsellors are available 24/7 via phone and online, with a directory of local and state-based support services.

Ph: 1800 385 578

fullstop.org.au/about

No To Violence – Men's Referral Service

Confidential telephone service provided for men by men.

Ph: 1300 766 491

ntvmrs.org.au

MensLine Australia

Telephone and online support, information and referral for men with family and relationship concerns.

Ph: 1300 78 99 78

mensline.org.au

Beyond Blue

This website includes information and support to help members of the community achieve their best possible mental health. It provides contact information for targeted national mental health helplines and support groups, as well as online forums.

beyondblue.org.au/get-support/national-mental-health-helplines-and-support-groups

Lifeline

This website provides information for those experiencing a personal crisis and gives access to 24-hour crisis support and suicide prevention services. It also provides toolkits and referrals to online peer support forums.

lifeline.org.au

Suicide Call Back Service

This service provides support for people experiencing suicidal thoughts and people concerned that someone they know is at risk. It offers a free professional 24/7 telephone service, as well as free professional 24/7 online chat and video counselling.

Ph: 1300 659 467 (24/7 support service)

suicidecallbackservice.org.au

Additional Support

For support services for children and young people (under the age of 25), please see the Child Related Matters section.

For support services for family violence survivors, please see the Family Violence section.

International Academy of Family Lawyers (IAFL)


The IAFL is a worldwide association of lawyers who are recognised as the most experienced and skilled family law specialists in their respective countries. This website can help you find an experienced family lawyer in Australia or overseas.

https://www.iafl.com/

CHILD RELATED MATTERS

Attorney General’s Webpage

This website contains information about international family law and children, including information on seeking access to a child overseas, child abduction, and information for parents who are alleged have removed a child from the child’s home country.

https://www.ag.gov.au/families-and-marriage/families/international-family-law-and-children

Australian Federal Police (AFP) – Family Law Watch list

This website includes information about the police and family law, the Family Law Watch List (airport watch list), how to place your child on the Family Law Watch List and what to do if your child is on the watch list.

https://afp.gov.au/our-services/national-policing-services/family-law-watchlist

International Social Service (ISS) Australia

An independent, not for profit organisation that provides assistance to families experiencing international parental child abduction. Includes downloadable general information brochure about international parental child abduction.

https://www.iss.org.au/

Australian Passport Office – Child Alert

This website includes information about making a Child Alert request with a link to the child alert request form.

https://www.passports.gov.au/help/child-alerts

Wolters Kluwer Expert Insights

Containing articles about a broad range of legal issues, including family law related issues. Jacky Campbell has contributed articles to this site and is a consultant author for Wolters Kluwer.

wolterskluwer.com/en-au/legal#ExpertInsightsLegal

Legal Aid Victoria

This website provides general information about family law and eligibility for legal aid funding in Victoria.

legalaid.vic.gov.au

Australian Taxation Office

This website includes taxation information for individuals and businesses, booklets and the tax calculator. It also provides information about superannuation and changes to superannuation law, forms and downloadable brochures.

ato.gov.au

Australia Post – Verification of Identity (VOI)

This website provides general information regarding identity checks for property transfers if you are purchasing or selling a property and need to complete a VOI check.

auspost.com.au/id-and-document-services/identity-checks-for-property-transfers

Justice of the Peace

This website provides information with respect to Justices of the Peace who provide document witnessing and certification services to the community, including where to locate one near you.

justice.vic.gov.au/home/justice+system/legal+assistance/justice+of+the+peace

Centrelink

This website provides general Centrelink information including the Centrelink calculator, payment and service finder, and the facility to lodge reporting statements.

humanservices.gov.au/individuals/centrelink

Family Law Section of the Law Council of Australia

The Family Law Section is a professional association for family law practitioners. Their website provides general information for the public about family law and family lawyers.

familylawsection.org.au

Law Institute of Victoria

The Law Institute of Victoria is the peak body for the Victorian legal profession. Their website includes general information for the public about the law and lawyers in Victoria.

liv.asn.au

Australian Institute of Conveyancing

The Australian Institute of Conveyancing is the peak professional body representing licensed conveyancers in Victoria. Their website provides information regarding where to locate the services of an AIC member near you.

aicvic.com.au

Australian Property Institute

The Australian Property Institute is the leading membership organisation for property professionals. Their website provides information with respect to qualified and experienced property professionals who can assist in your matter, for example by valuing your property.

api.org.au

International Academy of Family Lawyers (IAFL)

The IAFL is a worldwide association of lawyers who are recognised as the most experienced and skilled family law specialists in their respective countries. This website can help you find an experienced family lawyer in Australia or overseas.

iafl.com

Victorian Bar

The Victorian Bar is the professional association of barristers in Victoria. The website provides information about the role of a barrister and includes profiles for all Victorian barristers.

vicbar.com.au

FCFCOA Superannuation Information Kit

The Superannuation Information Kit provides the forms required to obtain information from the trustee of an eligible superannuation plan in order to value a superannuation interest. This includes the Form 6 Declaration, Superannuation Information Request Form and Superannuation Information Form.

fcfcoa.gov.au/fl/pubs/superannuation

Links to Specific Funds

Many superannuation funds provide their own versions of these forms and/or online fact sheets and booklets regarding the valuation and splitting of superannuation for family law purposes.

Commonwealth Superannuation Corporation (CSS, DFRDB, MilitarySuper and PSS)

Information regarding separation and divorce.

csc.gov.au/Defined-benefit-members/Manage/Separation-and-divorce

Forms and documents:

csc.gov.au/Defined-benefit-members/Resources/Forms-and-documents

Australian Retirement Trust

australianretirementtrust.com.au/advice/life-events/separation-or-divorce

AustralianSuper

Request family law information.

australiansuper.com/tools-and-advice/forms-and-fact-sheets

Aware Super

Family law fact sheet.

aware.com.au/.../M3.15-EFA-SuperFamilyLaw.pdf

CareSuper

Form 6 Declaration / Super Information Request Form.

Family Law Request for Super Information Form

Fact sheet:

Super and Family Law Fact Sheet

HESTA

Information regarding divorce, separation and your super.

hesta.com.au/members/your-superannuation/divorce-separation-and-your-super

Industry Super Funds

This website provides links to a variety of industry super funds. Searching for "family law" on most fund websites will provide information regarding the valuation and splitting of superannuation in family law matters.

industrysuper.com/choose-a-fund

Federal Circuit and Family Court Website

This court website provides information regarding a child born under a surrogacy arrangement (including in Australia and overseas).

fcfcoa.gov.au/fl/pd/fam-surrogacy

Donor Conception Register Services

Website with information on and access to both the Victorian Government’s Central Register of donor conception treatment details and the Voluntary Register.

health.vic.gov.au/patient-care/donor-conception-register-services

County Court of Victoria

This County Court website provides information on adoptions, parentage and name changes in Victoria, including relevant forms and information sheets.

countycourt.vic.gov.au/going-court/adoptions-parentage-and-name-changes

Patient Review Panel

The Patient Review Panel is an independent statutory body. This website provides information on the Panel, including on the role of the Panel, applications to the Panel, hearings before the Panel and outcomes of the Panel.

vic.gov.au/patient-review-panel