How to obtain a family report in the FCFCOA
A family report in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (FCFCOA) is prepared by a court-appointed expert under section 11F or 62G of the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth), or by a private expert under Part 7.1 of the Family Law Rules 2021. The court orders the report at a case management hearing.
The framework
Family Law Act 1975 (Cth) — sections 11F (child dispute conference), 62G (family reports), 68L (independent children's lawyer); Family Law Rules 2021 (Cth) Part 7.1; FCFCOA Practice Directions.
The process
Identify the report purpose
Decide whether you seek a Child Impact Report (short, early-stage assessment under section 11F) or a full family report under section 62G (longer, addressing best-interests factors for final hearing).
Raise at case management hearing
Family reports are ordered at a case assessment conference or interim hearing. Identify the issues for the report — parenting arrangements, family violence, relocation, alienation.
Seek appointment of an ICL (if appropriate)
If the case has allegations of abuse, family violence, entrenched conflict, or a proposal inconsistent with the views of the child, seek appointment of an Independent Children's Lawyer under section 68L.
Consent order or court direction
The report is ordered by the Court specifying the type, author, issues, funding, and timing. Section 62G reports are prepared by Court Children's Service or a regulated family report writer.
Brief the report writer
Parties or the ICL provide pleadings, affidavits, subpoenaed material, and family violence and child protection records to the report writer.
Attend interviews and observation sessions
The report writer interviews each parent, significant others, and typically observes the child with each parent. Children are interviewed in an age-appropriate way.
Report writer considers collateral evidence
Writer may consult treating clinicians, schools, and child protection authorities, and may consider subpoenaed records produced under Part 6.6 of the Family Law Rules 2021.
Report is released
Under the regulated family report writer framework, reports are released to the Court and parties' lawyers. Disclosure to parties is controlled per the Court's order.
Cross-examination at hearing
The report writer is available for cross-examination at the final hearing under Part 7.1. Challenge methodology, collateral sources, and recommendations as appropriate.
Weight and best-interests determination
The Court weighs the report alongside other evidence against best-interests factors in section 60CC. The report is expert evidence, not determinative.
Common mistakes
- Confusing Child Impact Reports with full section 62G reports
- Not providing family violence, child protection, and medical records
- Over-coaching children before interviews
- Seeking a private report without Court order or agreement
- Treating the report as determinative of the outcome
Get this process right with Quillio
Quillio can prepare a brief for the report writer, draft cross-examination outlines, and align recommendations against section 60CC best-interests factors. See /practice-areas/family-lawyers.
General information only, not legal advice. Parenting matters involve child safety and welfare. Engage a family lawyer and, where relevant, a mental health professional.
Get this right the first time.
Quillio drafts the forms, checks against current requirements, and surfaces the relevant authority — all in one place. The free trial requires no credit card.
Start your free trial