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Snapshot

  • Significant changes to the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth) come into effect 10 June 2025. The changes focus on the financial and property aspects of relationship breakdown.
  • The reforms explicitly address the economic ramifications of family violence in determining property settlements.
  • There is also a shift in the treatment of pets, with the reforms recognising pets not merely as property but ‘companion animals’ who are an integral part of the family unit.

The Family Law Amendment Act 2024 (‘Amendment Act’) largely commences on 10 June 2025, making significant changes to the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth) (‘FLA’). It primarily deals with the property settlement and maintenance provisions for married and de facto couples in Parts VIII and VIIIAB of the FLA but also affects other aspects of family law.

What are the objectives of the property settlement reforms?

There are two major objectives. The first is to increase accessibility by codifying common law principles which guide the exercise of discretion. This is intended to assist the large number of self-represented litigants and litigants with multiple risk factors such as family violence, child abuse and mental health issues (Explanatory Memorandum).

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