On 27 October 2025, the Annual Report of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 1) and (Division 2) ('the Courts') was tabled in Parliament. The report marks a year in which the Courts' made significant strides towards improving safety, accessibility and inclusivity for court users in Australia.
Chief Justice William Alstergren AO said:
"Each year when I pause to reflect on the preceding 12 months, I am struck by what has been achieved across the Courts. Each year brings new challenges, but also new opportunities to refine, improve and excel. I'm particularly proud of the work of the Judges, Registrars and staff of the Courts, whose diligence and dedication to the overarching aims of the Courts is reflected in the results we achieve every day."
Of particular note from the report are the following:
- Part 2 of the Report showcases each of the Courts' innovative programs and approaches to case management, including addressing family violence, providing access to justice for First Nations families, taking justice to regional Australia, use of dispute resolution, fostering international engagement and creating a culture of learning and excellence.
- Demand on the Courts has increased, with 25.5% more filings in general federal law (which includes fair work, bankruptcy, consumer law, human rights, administrative law and intellectual property) and a 64% increase in filings in the migration jurisdiction;
- 25 judicial appointments making a total of 126 judges nationally;
- the FCFCOA (Division 2) increased the number of cases finalised in the migration jurisdiction, by 79% or an additional 3,000 migration matters;
- The FCFCOA (Division 2) significantly improved the proportion of general federal law matters finalised within 12 months of filing from 78 per cent to 87 per cent of total matters finalised;
- The Courts maintained strong results across all areas of family law, with clearance rates around 100% for all application types, notwithstanding receiving 101,092 family law applications, a 3% increase on the previous year;
- The Courts' launched a Reconciliation Action Plan for the years 2025 - 2027, reflecting the Courts' commitment to facilitating access to justice for First Nations people, and to continue on the reconciliation journey;
- The National Court Dog Program, previously comprising two dogs across Melbourne and Hobart, was expanded to Parramatta, Newcastle and Sydney;
- The statutory review of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia Act 2021 was completed, with the reviewers recording positive findings around the Courts' case management processes, innovations, responsiveness to the needs of litigants, expertise, unity and collegiality amongst the judiciary and the effective delivery of justice to the Australian public. For example, in family law, the Courts' case management approach and the use of registrars was described as a 'game-changer';
- The Courts have continued to develop a holistic response to family violence in family law disputes, which includes the world leading Lighthouse risk screening and risk assessment model, tailored case management approaches, comprehensive training and education offerings from leading experts, data collection and evaluation to monitor trends and refine insights, and engagement with stakeholders and service providers;
- The Courts continue to invest substantial time and effort to ensuring that the training undertaken by Judges, Registrars, Court Child Experts, Triage Counsellors and staff, and court procedures and processes, represent best practice in identifying and appropriately responding to risk;
- We welcomed the appointment of Attorney-General the Honourable Michelle Rowland MP, whose engagement with the Courts and the work done in this financial year is deserving of the Courts' gratitude.
See the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia's Annual Report (2024-25) .
