Families and Marriage Publications

Document outlining the obligations and consequences of marriage and stating the availability of marriage education and counselling [Nepali version]

Document outlining the obligations and consequences of marriage and stating the availability of marriage education and counselling [Spanish version]

Document outlining the obligations and consequences of marriage and stating the availability of marriage education and counselling [Tagalog version]

Document outlining the obligations and consequences of marriage and stating the availability of marriage education and counselling [Vietnamese version]

How the Attorney-General’s Department will collect, store, use and disclose your personal information when you apply for the return of your child under the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction (the Hague Convention).

Published in 2014, this guide is to help Supporting Children after Separation Program (SCaSP) service providers provide seamless, appropriately differentiated service system for children and their parents.  

The department commissioned commissioned the Australian Institute of Family Studies to undertake a third wave of the Longitudinal Study of Separated Families (LSSF). The LSSF is a national study of parents with a child under 18 years old...

In May 2013, Professor Chisholm reviewed the sharing of experts' reports between the child protection system and the family law system. A taskforce comprising representatives from key stakeholder groups assisted with the preparation of this report, which was published in March 2014.

This report provides advice to the Attorney-General on a range of issues in relation to who is considered to be a parent under the Family Law Act 1975. The council considered the changes in family structures and the differing ways families are now being formed, the role and meaning of 'parent', as well as the inconsistent, inappropriate and discriminatory outcomes for children on the basis of the status of the people who are raising them or the way in which the child's family was formed.

The council is an agency subject to the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI Act) and is required to 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.

In 2012, an independent review of the Family Law Pathways Networks was conducted to produce an overall picture of the operation of the networks, and to assess the value of the networks against the objectives and the value to family law system professionals.

Australian Government response to recommendations of the Australian Law Reform Commission Report 114 and New South Wales Law Reform Commission Report 128: Family Violence – A National Legal Response Final Report (2010) that recommend unilateral action by the Australian Government.

On 21 March 2013, the then Prime Minister Julia Gillard apologised on behalf of the Australian Government to people affected by forced adoption or removal policies and practices. The motion was considered in the Federation Chamber on 15 and 16 May 2013.

A report commissioned by the Attorney-General's Department from the Australian Institute of Family Studies to examine the use of independent children's lawyers (ICLs) in the family law system.

The Attorney-General's Department commissioned Allen Consulting Group to undertake independent research as part of the review of Family Support Program family law services in January 2012.

Transcript of the National Apology for Forced Adoptions. On 21 March 2013, the then Prime Minister Julia Gillard apologised on behalf of the Australian Government to people affected by forced adoption or removal policies and practices. 

Following the National Apology for Forced Adoptions in 2013, motions of apology were moved in the House of Representatives and in the Senate.

In March 2013, this paper was published. The aim was to find ways to ensure that information relevant to decisions about children is appropriately shared between the family law system, the state and territory child protection system, and the legal aid commissions and independent children's lawyers.

Family Relationship Centres and the Family Relationship Advice Line are front doors to services that can assist families at all stages of their relationships. The following guidelines are provided to assist with development of the best possible referral practices. 

Frequently asked questions about Commonwealth laws for the division of property for people in de facto relationships that break down.