More changes are coming to the family law system

There has been much written about the 30+ bills the Federal Parliament passed on their last sitting day of 2024. The focus of the media coverage has been the Government’s bill to prohibit persons under 16 years old from having a social media account.

However, for users of the family law system the most significant bill passed was the Government’s Family Law Amendment Bill 2024. This is the third round of substantial changes the Albanese Government has made to the Family Law Act since coming into office in 2022.

What is changing?

In this round of amendments, the Government has targeted the property provisions in the Family Law Act, introducing substantial changes including: -

• adding to the definition of family violence to include economic or financial abuse;

• requiring the Court to consider the impact of family violence on property matters;

• amendments to the list of factors the court is to consider when assessing each party’s current and future needs;

• new provisions that deal with family pets;

• changes to how the rules of evidence apply in property proceedings; and

• introducing a new provision that strengthens the party’s obligation to provide disclosure in financial and property matters.

The Act also includes a new division which defines a children’s contact service and places a framework around those services, as well as several other procedural changes.

When will the changes come into effect?

It is expected the changes will come into effect in May 2025.

We will post further blogs detailing the changes arising from this Bill over the next few months. Keep an eye on our website and socials for more articles.

Please note: the information in this article is general in nature and is not legal advice. For legal advice about your circumstances, contact us to make an appointment with one of our solicitors.