Garie Beach

What is the Difference between Western Australias' Family law System and the rest of Australia?

Do you have more rights in Western Australia? In regards to custody battles if the father was abusive? And how can you be forced by the courts to go back to the state you moved from if the father decides he wants visitation rights?

Public Comments

1. the family law act is nationwide, not limited to individual states
2. I can't directly answer your question, other than to point you to both the Family Court of WA's website and the Family Court of Australia's website, where you can find many brochures and kits which can help you: www.familycourt.wa.gov.au www.familycourt.gov.au As you already know, that last answer is incorrect, as the family court in WA has state jurisdiction as well as the normal federal jurisdiction of the family courts elsewhere in Australia. I can't remember the precise details of all this but it may have something to do with the fact that when the Australian states decided to come together and make the Constitution (which made marriage a federal matter), WA refused to join until later.