Family Law Council

The Family Law Council advises and makes recommendations to the Attorney-General about:

• the workings of the Family Law Act and other legislation relating to family law
• the working of legal aid in relation to family law
• any other matters relating to family law.

The council can provide advice and recommendations to the Attorney-General either of its own motion or at the Attorney-General's request. This may be in the form of a letter of advice or as a report. The council also makes submissions to relevant bodies on issues relating to family law.

Council members

The Family Law Council is made up of a chairperson and members. They are appointed by the Attorney-General. All are part-time members and sit on the council in an individual capacity as family law experts.

The current members of the Family Law Council are:

• The Hon Justice Jacoba Brasch (Chairperson)
• Ms Antoinette Braybrook AM
• Dr Rachel Carson
• Ms Philippa Davis
• The Hon John Faulks
• Judge Alexandra Harland
• Ms Julie Jackson
• The Hon Justice Richard O'Brien
• Associate Professor Zoe Rathus AM
• Ms Anne-Marie Rice
• Mr Nick Tebbey
• Mr Glenn Thompson OAM.

In line with section 115 of the Family Law Act 1975, members must include a judge of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia. It may also include other judges, lawyers, family dispute resolution practitioners, family counsellors, public officials and other people, as the Attorney-General thinks fit.

It has been the policy of successive governments for the council to include experts from a range of professional backgrounds, as well as for the council to have an appropriate gender balance, members from a range of cultural backgrounds and members from most or all states and territories if possible.

The council may also invite observers to attend its meetings. Observers play an important role in informing the council's work.

Terms of Reference

The Family Law Council Terms of Reference set out the priority considerations for the council’s work agenda during their term. The Attorney-General, the Hon Mark Dreyfus KC MP, endorsed the council’s Terms of Reference for 2025-2026 on 26 March 2025.

Council operations

The council is a statutory authority established under section 115 of the Family Law Act 1975. It began operating in November 1976.

The Family Law Council is supported by the Secretariat provided through the Australian Institute of Family Studies.

The council is subject to the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI Act). It must comply with the requirements of the FOI Act relating to the Information Publication Scheme (IPS). The council has prepared its IPS Agency Plan in accordance with subsection 8(1) of the FOI Act.

Family Law Council IPS Agency Plan

We collect, use and store of personal information in line with our Privacy Policy and in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988.