Victoria

Family law in Victoria

How separation, divorce, parenting orders and property settlement work in Victoria, including the Federal Circuit and Family Court's Melbourne and Dandenong registries, Victorian family violence intervention orders and free help from Victoria Legal Aid.

Checked against official sources on 8 Nov 2026. General information, not legal advice. No lawyer or solicitor has reviewed this page.

Overview

Victorians who separate use the national family law system. The Family Law Act 1975 decides divorce, arrangements for children, property division and spousal maintenance, and Victorian cases are filed in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia. The court has two family law registries in Victoria, Melbourne and Dandenong, and sits on circuit at Ballarat, Bendigo, Geelong, Mildura, Morwell, Shepparton and Warrnambool. Cases heard on circuit are filed through the Commonwealth Courts Portal or the Melbourne registry. For some border families the nearest registry is Albury, across the Murray in New South Wales.

Victoria referred its de facto financial powers to the Commonwealth through the Commonwealth Powers (De Facto Relationships) Act 2004 (Vic). Separated de facto couples in Victoria therefore have property, maintenance and superannuation splitting dealt with under the Family Law Act in the same way as married couples, generally where the relationship broke down after 1 March 2009 (some earlier break-ups can also be covered). Victoria also lets couples register a domestic relationship under the Relationships Act 2008 (Vic). A registered relationship meets one of the thresholds for a de facto property case, even if the couple were together for less than two years and have no child.

Family violence is a matter of Victorian law. Family violence intervention orders are made by the Magistrates' Court of Victoria, or the Children's Court where a child is involved, under the Family Violence Protection Act 2008 (Vic). Police who attend a family violence incident can, in many cases, issue a family violence safety notice at the scene to protect someone until the matter reaches court. Intervention orders and parenting orders often need to be reconciled, and a Victorian court making or varying an intervention order can also vary or suspend the parts of a parenting order that allow a child to spend time with a person. This page is general information for people in Victoria, not legal advice.

Who this is for

  • You have separated in Melbourne or regional Victoria and need arrangements for the children
  • You want to apply for a divorce and are unsure how the court process works in Victoria
  • You were in a de facto or registered relationship in Victoria and want a property settlement
  • You have a family violence intervention order and parenting orders that seem to conflict
  • You want Victoria Legal Aid to help you mediate rather than litigate
  • You live in Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo, Shepparton or Gippsland and need to know when the court sits
  • You have agreed on a settlement and want consent orders prepared correctly
  • You are worried your former partner will move interstate or overseas with the children
LegislationShow
  • Family Violence Protection Act 2008 (Vic) (VIC)

    The Victorian family violence law. It allows the Magistrates' Court and Children's Court to make family violence intervention orders, allows police to issue family violence safety notices, and makes contravening an order or notice a criminal offence.

  • Commonwealth Powers (De Facto Relationships) Act 2004 (Vic) (VIC)

    The Victorian Act referring power over de facto financial matters to the Commonwealth, so that separated de facto couples in Victoria have property and maintenance disputes decided under the Family Law Act.

  • Relationships Act 2008 (Vic) (VIC)

    Provides for the registration of domestic relationships and caring relationships in Victoria. A registered domestic relationship is a prescribed relationship under the Family Law Regulations 2024, so it meets one of the thresholds for a de facto property or maintenance case under the Family Law Act and is evidence that the relationship existed.

  • Children, Youth and Families Act 2005 (Vic) (VIC)

    The Victorian child protection law. Where Child Protection is involved, proceedings in the Family Division of the Children's Court of Victoria can run in parallel with, or displace, a family law parenting case.

  • Family Law Act 1975 (Cth) (CTH)

    The national Act that applies in Victoria for divorce, parenting orders, property settlement, superannuation splitting and spousal maintenance, including the parenting reforms from 6 May 2024 and the property reforms from 10 June 2025.

  • Family Law Amendment Act 2024 (Cth) (CTH)

    From 10 June 2025 requires courts to consider the economic effect of family violence in property cases, treats economic or financial abuse as family violence, creates a framework for companion animals and moves the duty of disclosure into the Family Law Act.

  • Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Family Law) Rules 2021 (Cth) (CTH)

    The procedural rules for Victorian family law cases, including the pre-action procedures in Schedule 1, the forms, service, subpoenas and specialist evidence.

Courts and tribunalsShow
  • Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia - Melbourne registry

    One of the court's two family law registries in Victoria, at the Commonwealth Law Courts, 305 William Street. It hears divorce, parenting, property and contravention matters, and parties in parenting cases filed here are invited to complete the court's Lighthouse risk screen.

  • Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia - Dandenong registry

    The court's second family law registry in Victoria, with its own filing and registry services and duty lawyers from Victoria Legal Aid and local community legal centres. It is also a Lighthouse registry for parenting cases.

  • Federal Circuit and Family Court - Victorian circuits

    The court sits on circuit at Ballarat, Bendigo, Geelong, Mildura, Morwell, Shepparton and Warrnambool. Matters heard there are filed through the Commonwealth Courts Portal or the Melbourne registry, and each location has its own circuit court list.

  • Magistrates' Court of Victoria - intervention orders

    Hears applications for family violence intervention orders and personal safety intervention orders, including applications made by police, and hears criminal charges for breaching an order. Proceedings under the Family Violence Protection Act 2008 are exempt from Magistrates' Court fees.

  • Children's Court of Victoria

    Deals with child protection applications in its Family Division and can make family violence intervention orders where the affected family member, protected person or respondent is a child.

  • Victoria Police - family violence response

    Responds to family violence incidents, applies for intervention orders, issues family violence safety notices and enforces breaches.

  • Commonwealth Courts Portal

    Where Victorian parties eFile applications, pay filing fees and view their orders and hearing dates.

ProcessShow
  1. 01Address safety and get help early

    If there is family violence, contact police or the Magistrates' Court about an intervention order and speak to Victoria Legal Aid, a community legal centre or a specialist family violence service. Record your separation date.

    Typical timeframe: As soon as you can after separating

  2. 02Family dispute resolution

    Attend mediation through a Family Relationship Centre, a private practitioner or, if one of you has a Victoria Legal Aid grant, the Victoria Legal Aid Family Dispute Resolution Service. For parenting matters, obtain a section 60I certificate unless an exemption applies.

    Typical timeframe: Before you file a parenting application; a section 60I certificate is valid for 12 months

  3. 03Formalise the agreement

    Record parenting arrangements in a parenting plan, or file an Application for Consent Orders so parenting and financial terms are enforceable. Since 31 October 2025, an application filed through the Commonwealth Courts Portal must include the proposed orders signed by all parties on each page as a PDF, plus an identical unsigned Word (.docx) copy. If the orders deal with children, the applicant must also file a Notice of child abuse, family violence or risk. Consider a binding financial agreement where appropriate.

    Typical timeframe: Once you reach agreement, keeping the property time limits in mind

  4. 04File your application

    eFile an Initiating Application through the Commonwealth Courts Portal with your affidavit and a Genuine Steps Certificate. For parenting orders, also file the Notice of child abuse, family violence or risk and a section 60I certificate, unless an exemption applies. Parties in parenting cases filed in Melbourne or Dandenong are invited to complete the Lighthouse risk screen.

    Typical timeframe: After dispute resolution, or straight away if the matter is urgent or an exemption applies

  5. 05First court event and interim orders

    A judicial registrar makes orders to prepare the case, such as for disclosure, reports or dispute resolution, and can make interim parenting or financial orders where the parties agree. Parenting cases assessed as high risk may be placed on the Evatt List.

    Typical timeframe: Usually 1 to 2 months after filing, unless the matter is urgent

  6. 06Reports, subpoenas and conciliation

    Subpoenas may be issued to bodies such as Victoria Police, schools, health services and Child Protection. The Court Children's Service may prepare a report, and the court holds a conciliation conference in financial cases or a dispute resolution conference in parenting cases.

    Typical timeframe: Between the first court event and the compliance and readiness hearing

  7. 07Compliance and readiness hearing, then trial

    If issues remain after dispute resolution, a compliance and readiness hearing, usually before a judge, checks that orders have been followed and the case is ready, before it is listed for final hearing before a judge.

    Typical timeframe: The court aims to list the final hearing within 12 months of filing

Parties

  • Applicant

    The person who files the divorce, parenting or financial application.

  • Respondent

    The former spouse or de facto partner who responds to the application.

  • Independent Children's Lawyer

    A lawyer the court can order to represent the child's interests. In Victoria, Victoria Legal Aid arranges the appointment and decides whether a grant of legal aid is made.

  • Court Children's Service staff or family consultant

    Psychologists and social workers employed by the court, or panel family consultants it engages, who meet the family when ordered and prepare reports such as a Child Impact Report or Family Report.

  • Affected family member and respondent in intervention order proceedings

    The Victorian terms for the person protected by a family violence intervention order and the person the order is made against.

  • Secretary, Department of Families, Fairness and Housing

    The Victorian child protection authority, which may be subpoenaed, notified or joined where risk is alleged.

Time limits

These are general time limits described in prose. This page does not calculate a deadline for your matter.

  • Applying for a divorce

    You must have lived separately and apart for a continuous period of at least 12 months immediately before you file the application.

    Source: Family Law Act 1975 (Cth), s 48(2)

  • Property settlement or spousal maintenance after divorce

    Generally within 12 months after the divorce order takes effect, unless both parties consent or the court grants leave.

    Source: Family Law Act 1975 (Cth), s 44(3)

  • De facto property or maintenance

    Generally within two years after the de facto relationship ends, unless both parties consent or the court grants leave.

    Source: Family Law Act 1975 (Cth), s 44(5) and (6)

  • Section 60I certificate

    Valid for 12 months.

    Source: Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia, Compulsory pre-filing Family Dispute Resolution - court procedures and requirements

  • Family violence safety notice

    The first court date must be no later than 14 days after the notice is served, or as soon as practicable if the respondent has been excluded from home and may have nowhere to stay. The notice generally ends at that first court date, when the court adjourns or refuses the application or an order it makes is served.

    Source: Family Violence Protection Act 2008 (Vic), ss 30 and 31(3)

  • Application for Consent Orders

    The application should be filed within 90 days of the date of the first signed Statement of Truth, or the consent orders may not be made.

    Source: Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia, Application for Consent Orders kit (current version) and Practice and procedure update on consent orders (updated 24 November 2025)

  • Contravention applications

    Applications accepted for filing get a first court date before a contravention registrar as near as practicable to 14 days after filing.

    Source: Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia, Family Law Practice Direction: National Contravention List, para 3.2

Costs and helpShow

Family law court fees are set by Commonwealth regulations and rise each 1 July. From 1 July 2026, an application for divorce is $1,170, or $390 at the reduced rate for people who are the primary holder of an eligible concession card, have legal aid, receive Youth Allowance, Austudy or ABSTUDY, are under 18, are in prison or detention, or can show financial hardship. On a joint application both of you must qualify. An Application for Consent Orders is $215, an Initiating Application for final parenting or financial orders alone is $455, an interim application is $155, issuing a subpoena is $70 and a conciliation conference is $510. People in the same groups can apply for an exemption from other court fees. Proceedings under the Family Violence Protection Act 2008 are exempt from Magistrates' Court fees. Lawyers' fees are separate from these court fees. Each party generally pays their own costs, but the court can order otherwise where the circumstances justify it, looking at matters such as a failure to disclose, a failure to follow earlier orders and how each party has conducted the case.

Victoria Legal Aid

Offers free legal information on 1300 792 387 (Monday to Friday, 8 am to 6 pm) and through Legal Help Chat, duty lawyers at courts across Victoria including the Melbourne and Dandenong family law registries, the Family Dispute Resolution Service, the Kids Talk program for hearing children's views, and grants of legal assistance for people who meet its guidelines, which include a means test and, for most matters, a merits test.

  • Victoria Legal Aid Family Dispute Resolution Service

    A free, lawyer-assisted mediation service for parenting and property disputes. At least one person must have a lawyer and a Victoria Legal Aid grant; in parenting disputes the other person can take part without a lawyer, but each person needs a lawyer for a property conference.

  • Women's Legal Service Victoria

    Free, confidential legal help for women and non-binary people in Victoria, including on separation after family violence, intervention orders and financial abuse.

  • Federation of Community Legal Centres Victoria

    Helps you find a Victorian community legal centre. Community legal centres are independent community organisations that provide free legal services, including in family law and family violence.

  • Law Institute of Victoria referral service

    Referral to Law Institute of Victoria member firms by legal issue or area of law, language and location.

Where to get help

Practical guidanceShow

How do the Victorian registries and circuits work if you live in regional Victoria?

The court has two family law registries in Victoria, Melbourne and Dandenong, and also sits on circuit at Ballarat, Bendigo, Geelong, Mildura, Morwell, Shepparton and Warrnambool. If your case is to be heard at one of those circuit towns, you file it through the Commonwealth Courts Portal or the Melbourne registry, so you may never need to visit the city to start a case. The court holds hearings in person, at its registries and on circuit, and electronically by video link or telephone, which can suit families in Gippsland, the Mallee or the north east. Divorce hearings are held electronically, and you can ask for another hearing to be held electronically using the court's request form. Circuit sittings are periodic, which can lengthen a regional case, so check the circuit court list for your town and raise travel, distance or safety concerns early. If you live near Albury-Wodonga or elsewhere along the Murray, note that Albury is a separate registry in New South Wales, so check which registry your matter has been allocated to before you make travel arrangements.

How do Victorian intervention orders interact with parenting orders?

Family violence intervention orders in Victoria are made under the Family Violence Protection Act 2008 by the Magistrates' Court, or by the Children's Court where a child is involved. Police who attend a family violence incident can also issue a family violence safety notice at the scene, with the approval of a sergeant or more senior officer. It protects you until the first court date, which must be no more than 14 days after the notice is served on the respondent. Police cannot use a safety notice in some situations, for example where the respondent is a child or where they suspect a family law order or child protection order is in force that may be inconsistent with it. Police can still apply to the court for an intervention order in those cases. Children are frequently named as protected family members. That can conflict with a family law order allowing a parent to spend time with the child. Section 68R of the Family Law Act allows a Victorian court making or varying an intervention order to also revive, vary, discharge or suspend the parts of a parenting order that allow a child to spend time with a person, so the two are consistent. It can only change a parenting order if it has material that was not before the court that made that order. If you want that, tell the magistrate and produce a sealed copy of the parenting orders. In family law proceedings you must tell the court about any intervention order, and a Notice of child abuse, family violence or risk must be filed with any parenting application. Breaching an intervention order is a criminal offence, so never treat a family law order as permission to do something the intervention order forbids.

How can Victoria Legal Aid help you avoid court?

Victoria Legal Aid runs a Family Dispute Resolution Service that holds lawyer-assisted conferences in parenting and property matters, either before proceedings start or once a case is in court. The service is free, but at least one person in the dispute must have a lawyer and a grant of legal assistance from Victoria Legal Aid. In parenting disputes the other person can attend without a lawyer, although everyone is encouraged to have one; for property conferences each person needs a lawyer. Each person goes through intake and a risk assessment first. Conferences are chaired by an accredited family dispute resolution practitioner who is impartial and keeps the discussion focused and safe. Where it is safe and appropriate, and each parent agrees, the Kids Talk program arranges for children to speak with a child specialist, who gives each parent feedback, followed by a confidential written summary that also goes to their lawyers and the chairperson. If you do not have a grant, Victoria Legal Aid's free legal information line on 1300 792 387 and Legal Help Chat can explain other options, including community-based family dispute resolution through a Family Relationship Centre.

Does a registered relationship change your property rights?

Registering a domestic relationship under the Relationships Act 2008 (Vic) does not create a separate property regime, but it does matter under the Family Law Act. The Victorian Act is a prescribed law under the Family Law Regulations 2024, so a registered relationship meets one of the thresholds a court needs before it can make a de facto property or maintenance order, even if you were together for less than two years and have no child. Registration is also one of the circumstances the court considers in deciding whether a de facto relationship existed. Whether a relationship existed, and when it started and ended, is often the first thing in dispute, and registration provides an official record. The other indicators include living together, shared finances, ownership of property, care of children, how you presented publicly and the degree of mutual commitment. If you were never registered, gather leases, joint account statements, insurance policies naming your partner, photographs and statements from friends and family, because those are what the court will weigh. The time limit is the same either way: generally two years after the relationship ends.

What does the 2025 property reform mean for a Victorian settlement?

From 10 June 2025 the Family Law Act sets out the steps for dividing property expressly, and it requires the court to consider the economic effect of family violence where it is relevant. In practice that means a Victorian party who was prevented from working, whose income was controlled, who was made liable for debts they did not benefit from, or who has ongoing counselling or medical costs arising from violence, may be able to point to those matters both when contributions are assessed and when current and future circumstances are considered. Economic and financial abuse is now expressly within the definition of family violence, with dowry abuse given as an example. The Application for Consent Orders now asks about the effect of family violence, with a 'prefer not to say' option, and the Financial Questionnaire lets you explain it if you rely on it. Companion animals also now have their own framework: the court can give ownership to only one party, order a transfer to another person who consents, or order a sale, but cannot order joint ownership or shared care of a pet. The changes apply to new and existing cases unless a final hearing had already started.

What should you gather before your first appointment with a Victorian lawyer?

Bring a short chronology with the date you began living together, the date of marriage if any, the date of separation and the children's dates of birth. Bring copies of any intervention order, safety notice or police report, any existing family law orders or parenting plan, and your section 60I certificate if you have one. For financial matters, bring recent payslips, the last three tax returns and notices of assessment, twelve months of statements for every account and card, superannuation member statements, rates notices and mortgage statements, and financial statements for any business or trust. Write down what you want the outcome to be for the children on an ordinary school week and in the holidays, and what you think a fair division of property looks like. Ask about fixed fees for consent orders, whether the firm offers unbundled assistance, and whether you may be eligible for a Victoria Legal Aid grant or a community legal centre service.

Checklist

  • Marriage certificate, relationship registration certificate or evidence of the de facto relationship
  • A written chronology including the date of separation
  • Any family violence intervention order, safety notice or related police documents
  • Section 60I certificate, or the reasons you rely on for an exemption from family dispute resolution
  • Existing parenting plans, consent orders or court orders
  • Three to five years of tax returns and notices of assessment
  • Twelve months of statements for all bank accounts, loans and credit cards
  • Superannuation member statements for every fund
  • Rates notice, mortgage statement and appraisal or valuation for any Victorian property
  • Business, company or trust financial statements
  • Centrelink and child support statements
  • A proposed parenting schedule covering term time, holidays and special days

Common questions

Do I have to travel to Melbourne for my family law case?

Often not. The court has family law registries in Melbourne and Dandenong, and it also sits on circuit at Ballarat, Bendigo, Geelong, Mildura, Morwell, Shepparton and Warrnambool. Documents are filed electronically through the Commonwealth Courts Portal, divorce hearings are held electronically, and other hearings can be held by video link or telephone. If travel, cost or safety makes attending in person difficult, you can ask for an electronic hearing using the court's request form, and raise the issue at the first court event.

Can the Magistrates' Court change my parenting orders when it makes an intervention order?

Yes, in limited circumstances. Under section 68R of the Family Law Act, a Victorian court making or varying a family violence intervention order can revive, vary, discharge or suspend the parts of an existing parenting order that allow a child to spend time with a person. It must have material that was not before the court that made the parenting order, it cannot discharge the order when making only an interim intervention order, and a change made with an interim order ends no later than that interim order. Bring a sealed copy of the parenting orders and ask the duty lawyer for help before the hearing.

Is a Victorian registered relationship the same as being married for property purposes?

No, but the practical outcome is similar. Registration under the Relationships Act 2008 (Vic) does not make you married; it records your relationship. Property, maintenance and superannuation splitting for de facto couples are decided under Family Law Act provisions that mirror those for married couples. Registration helps in two ways: it meets one of the thresholds for a de facto property case even if the relationship lasted less than two years, and it is evidence the relationship existed. The main difference is the time limit, which is generally two years after the relationship ends rather than 12 months after a divorce order takes effect.

How much does it cost to get consent orders in Victoria?

The court filing fee for an Application for Consent Orders is $215 from 1 July 2026. People who are the primary holder of an eligible concession card, have legal aid for the case, or would suffer financial hardship can apply for an exemption. Private legal fees for drafting the orders vary with complexity, for example whether superannuation is being split or real estate transferred, so ask any lawyer for a written estimate or a fixed fee. Victoria Legal Aid and community legal centres can sometimes assist, and the court publishes the Application for Consent Orders do-it-yourself kit and a proposed orders template for people preparing their own application. You file the signed proposed orders as a PDF together with an identical unsigned Word copy.

How long does a divorce take in Victoria?

Timing depends on when your hearing is listed. If your application is properly prepared and served, a registrar can usually decide it at the first hearing, and in most cases the order takes effect one month and one day after the hearing. Divorce hearings are held electronically, and you only need to attend if you asked to, your spouse has asked to attend and there are children under 18, your spouse opposes the divorce, or you are asking the court to dispense with or change how service is done. Delays generally come from problems with service, missing marriage certificates, or evidence issues where you were separated under one roof for part of the 12 months.

Can Victoria Legal Aid represent me in a property dispute?

Legal aid for property disputes is limited. Victoria Legal Aid may fund a lawyer to prepare for and attend a Family Dispute Resolution Service property conference if your asset pool (not counting superannuation) or your claim is below a set amount and you meet other criteria, and each person needs a lawyer for a property conference. The free legal information line on 1300 792 387 and Legal Help Chat can tell you about other options. Community legal centres and the Law Institute of Victoria referral service can also help you find affordable help, and some firms offer unbundled or fixed-fee assistance.

What if Child Protection is involved with my family?

Where the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing has an open case, proceedings may be brought in the Family Division of the Children's Court of Victoria under the Children, Youth and Families Act 2005. Those proceedings can affect or override arrangements you are trying to make under the Family Law Act, and the Federal Circuit and Family Court will usually want to know their status. Speak to a lawyer quickly, because the two systems have different rules, different timeframes and different sources of free representation.

Sources

  1. Family Violence Protection Act 2008, Victorian Legislation (accessed 8 Nov 2026)
  2. Commonwealth Powers (De Facto Relationships) Act 2004, Victorian Legislation (accessed 8 Nov 2026)
  3. Intervention orders, Magistrates' Court of Victoria (accessed 8 Nov 2026)
  4. Family Dispute Resolution Service, Victoria Legal Aid (accessed 8 Nov 2026)
  5. Court locations, Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (accessed 8 Nov 2026)
  6. Family law fees, Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (accessed 8 Nov 2026)
  7. Family law (property) changes from 10 June 2025, Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (accessed 8 Nov 2026)
  8. Family Law Act 1975 s 48 (Divorce), AustLII (accessed 8 Nov 2026)
  9. Family Law Act 1975 s 44 (Institution of proceedings), AustLII (accessed 8 Nov 2026)
  10. Family Law Act 1975 s 68R, AustLII (accessed 8 Nov 2026)
  11. Family Law Act 1975 s 90SB, AustLII (accessed 8 Nov 2026)
  12. Family Law Act 1975 s 114UB (Costs orders), AustLII (accessed 8 Nov 2026)
  13. Family Law Regulations 2024 reg 13 (prescribed relationship registers), AustLII (accessed 8 Nov 2026)
  14. Family Violence Protection Act 2008, authorised version 070 (as at 30 September 2026), Victorian Legislation (accessed 8 Nov 2026)
  15. Victorian court locations, Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (accessed 8 Nov 2026)
  16. Dandenong registry, Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (accessed 8 Nov 2026)
  17. Guidelines for reduced fee - divorce and decree of nullity application (current at 1 July 2026), Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (accessed 8 Nov 2026)
  18. Guidelines for exemption of court fees (current at 1 July 2026), Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (accessed 8 Nov 2026)
  19. Lighthouse, Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (accessed 8 Nov 2026)
  20. Family law hearing types, Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (accessed 8 Nov 2026)
  21. Central Practice Direction - Family Law Case Management, Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (accessed 8 Nov 2026)
  22. Family Law Practice Direction: National Contravention List, Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (accessed 8 Nov 2026)
  23. Compulsory pre-filing Family Dispute Resolution, Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (accessed 8 Nov 2026)
  24. Divorce hearing, Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (accessed 8 Nov 2026)
  25. Divorce overview, Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (accessed 8 Nov 2026)
  26. Electronic hearings, Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (accessed 8 Nov 2026)
  27. Notice of child abuse, family violence or risk, Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (accessed 8 Nov 2026)
  28. De facto financial matters, Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (accessed 8 Nov 2026)
  29. Family law form updates for the June 2025 amendments, Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (accessed 8 Nov 2026)
  30. Court Children's Service, Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (accessed 8 Nov 2026)
  31. Family law (property) changes from 10 June 2025: fact sheet for separating couples, Attorney-General's Department (accessed 8 Nov 2026)
  32. Understanding police applications (FVIO), Magistrates' Court of Victoria (accessed 8 Nov 2026)
  33. Court Fees and Costs Ready Reckoner - 1 July 2026, Magistrates' Court of Victoria (accessed 8 Nov 2026)
  34. Using the Victoria Legal Aid Family Dispute Resolution Service, Victoria Legal Aid (accessed 8 Nov 2026)
  35. Kids Talk, Victoria Legal Aid (accessed 8 Nov 2026)
  36. Contact us, Victoria Legal Aid (accessed 8 Nov 2026)
  37. Paying for a lawyer, Victoria Legal Aid (accessed 8 Nov 2026)
  38. I have a problem with an independent children's lawyer, Victoria Legal Aid (accessed 8 Nov 2026)
  39. Women's Legal Service Victoria (accessed 8 Nov 2026)
  40. Family Relationships Online (accessed 8 Nov 2026)
  41. Family Law Act 1975, latest compilation, Federal Register of Legislation (accessed 8 Nov 2026)
  42. Family Law Act 1975 s 69ZK (Child welfare laws not affected), AustLII (accessed 8 Nov 2026)
  43. Family Law Act 1975 s 68T (Interim family violence orders), AustLII (accessed 8 Nov 2026)
  44. Family Violence Protection Act 2008 s 24 (Application for family violence safety notice), AustLII (accessed 8 Nov 2026)
  45. Annual federal courts and tribunals fee increases from 1 July 2026 (C2026G00343), Federal Register of Legislation (accessed 8 Nov 2026)
  46. Practice and procedure update: Word document of proposed consent orders now required with Application for Consent Orders, Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (accessed 8 Nov 2026)
  47. Application for consent orders (do it yourself kit), Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (accessed 8 Nov 2026)
  48. Property dispute resolution, Victoria Legal Aid (accessed 8 Nov 2026)
This is general legal information, not legal advice. It does not claim that a solicitor has reviewed this page for your situation, and it does not create a solicitor-client relationship.

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Family Law in Victoria: Divorce, Parenting & Property
Family Law in Victoria: Divorce, Parenting & Property - newlaw.ai