Agd future Focus of Family Law Services Final Report Jan 2016

1.4How to read this report

This report has been prepared in consultation with AGD and sets out the key observations which may inform the future focus of FLS.

Throughout this report, key observations for consideration are identified in green boxes. Case studies signposting relevant information gathered during consultations are identified in purple boxes, as depicted below.

Key observations of analysis

Case studies identified through research and discussion with service providers and peak bodies

At the conclusion of relevant sections, key potential areas of interest for FLS are identified in blue tables. Factors for consideration, and options for addressing these issues, are addressed in Chapter 5 of this report. The tables set out a key for locating the corresponding section in Chapter 5, as outlined below.

Table - Example option table

Area of interest	Option for improvement	Option category	Reference
Increasing client complexity	Encouraging efficient client pathways	Service collaboration	B3
Increasing demand for FLS resulting in a need for innovative solutions to meet client need	Increased use of TDRS	Service delivery	C2

It is recommended that this document be consulted alongside the Tableau Model and the SCF. A compendium of appendices is also supplied with this report. Together, these resources comprise the variety of options for future considerations in relation to FLS.

2Family Law Services

This section provides a high-level description of the current suite of FLS, including background on the establishment of FLS, service types and administrative arrangements.

2.1Overview and recent changes to FLS

The provision of mediation services for matrimonial disputes began in Australia in the mid-20^th century. A number of changes have occurred in the years since, in order to continue to adapt service provision to the changing needs of Australians. The modern family law system arose from the introduction of no fault divorce and the establishment of the Family Court of Australia in the mid-1970s. Since that time, there have been a number of changes to the provision of family law services in Australia, the most recent and significant of which occurred in 2006.

Since the 2006 reforms to the family law system, FL