Family Court of Western Australia

The Family Court of Western Australia is a state court that deals with family law. It was established by the passing of the Family Court Act (WA, 1975) and commenced operation in 1976. It deals with divorce, marital property settlements, child custody, adoption and surrogacy. Although funded by the Commonwealth Government, it is the only state-based family court in Australia.

Structure

Western Australia is unique amongst Australian states in being the only state with its own Family Court. Family law matters in all other states are dealt with by two federal Courts - the Family Court of Australia and the Federal Magistrates Court. The Family Court of Western Australia is an integrated court, in that it combines the functions of a Superior court and a lower Court. Officially, the Family Court is two courts in one - the Family Court itself (constituted by its Judges) and a Magistrates Court (constituted by Family Law Magistrates). Its Magistrates' division is officially differentiated from the main Magistrates Court of Western Australia by being referred to as the 'Magistrates Court at 150 Terrace Rd Perth'.

In 2008, the federal Attorney-General announced a review of the delivery of family law services by the Family Court of Australia and the Federal Magistrates Court. A November 2008 report set out a possible framework of governance options to achieve a more integrated system of case management practices across the federal family law jurisdiction,...
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