In Australia, family law is primarily governed by federal laws that are implemented by the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia. This chapter of the Law Handbook may refer to this Court as the "Family Law Court".
Family law across Australia is generally consistent. However, with vast distances between each state and territory, the actual practice of the law sometimes differs.
The Marriage Act 1961 (Cth) deals with marriage. The Family Law Act 1975 (Cth) is the main law that deals with separation and divorce, the division of the property of married or de facto couples, and the care of children.
The Child Support (Registration and Collection) Act 1988 (Cth) and the Child Support (Assessment) Act 1989 (Cth) deal specifically with the financial support to be provided for children by parents who have separated. For more information about child support, see Child Support.
See also our Family Law and You booklet available from our Publications page.
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Legal Services acknowledges Aboriginal people as the Traditional Owners and ongoing occupants of the lands and waters in South Australia and we respect their spiritual, cultural and heritage beliefs. We recognise their continuing connection to land, water and community and pay our deep respect to Elders past and present.
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