The Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 1) will mark a significant national milestone in 2026, celebrating 50 years since the establishment of the Family Court of Australia.
The Family Court commenced operations on 5 January 1976, following the introduction of the transformative Family Law Act 1975 by the Whitlam Government. It was Australia's first federal court dedicated solely to helping families resolve their family law disputes. This was both innovative and highly controversial at the time.
To mark the anniversary, a ceremonial sitting will be held in Melbourne on Friday, 20 February 2026 at 10:00am (AEST). The event will be livestreamed on the Court's YouTube channel , and a short film about the Court's history has been made available.
The establishment of the Court marked a major shift in societal attitudes towards marriage breakdown, introducing the principle of no‑fault divorce into Australian law. The Family Law Act also introduced other significant reforms, such as recognising the best interests of the child as the paramount consideration in parenting matters.
Despite its progressive foundations, the Court has faced profound challenges over its history, including significant public and government scrutiny. This, however, has led to an ongoing culture of innovation to address the issues raised. The Court is considered a world-leader in its response to family violence, and the use of social science expertise, delivering therapeutic justice that responds to the needs of families and children.
The darkest time in the Court's history, however, involved being the subject of a series of violent crimes committed by Leonard Warwick in the 1980s. His attacks targeted individual judges, their families, and the institution as a whole. In 2020, almost four decades later, Warwick was finally found guilty of multiple crimes, including the 1980 murder of Justice David Opas, the 1984 murder of Pearl Watson (wife of Justice Ray Watson), and the bombings of Justice Richard Gee's home and the Court's Parramatta registry.
The Hon Will Alstergren AO, Chief Justice, 2018 to present
"Through determination, innovation and integrity, the Court has supported over 5 million Australian families in their most challenging times. Over 180 Judges (past and present), together with CEOs, Registrars, Court Child Experts, and all other staff, should be incredibly proud of their contribution in helping families resolve their family law disputes, when they were unable to do so themselves.
I think the ideals that Prime Minister Whitlam had when he originated this Court, has pretty much been borne out with the Court model we have now. I believe the originators of this Court would be very proud of the legacy created.
To see the Court thrive as a superior court of record over 50 years is quite remarkable. Although often shrouded in controversy because of the emotive nature of the work, it has always been a world-leading and innovative Court with Judges who are incredibly committed to dispensing justice in the best interests of the child, with fair and equitable hearings.
In recent years, the Court has continued to evolve and respond to community needs through initiatives aimed at improving access to justice and enhancing the experience of all court users. These include strengthened First Nations engagement, improved family violence and risk assessment processes, the Court Dog Program, and a range of other innovations.
As it marks its 50‑year legacy, the Court continues to uphold its foundational commitment to supporting Australian families through some of life's most challenging circumstances.
As the current Chief Justice, I am honoured to lead such an innovative, collegiate and hardworking Court and I am extraordinarily proud of what has been achieved.
The Hon Elizabeth Evatt AC, Chief Judge, 1976 to 1988
The Family Court opened in January 1976 and hundreds of people, if not thousands of people, came to the Court because they had been waiting patiently for the Act to come in so they could get their divorce without fault, so we were swamped with work.
Despite the challenges, there was very good morale, everyone that worked in the Family Court, all of the judges appointed to the Court, they were all highly committed to the principles of the Family Law Act, and the services to help people resolve their disputes. We all loved that and we all wanted it to work.
Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 1)
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