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Complete fee schedule (1 July 2025)
The following fees apply to the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (FCFCOA) in all states and territories except Western Australia, which has its own Family Court and sets its own fees.
Filing fees — applications
| Application type | Standard fee | Reduced fee |
|---|---|---|
| Application for Divorce Sole or joint application | $1,125 | $375 |
| Initiating Application — Parenting & Financial Seeking final orders in both matters | $710 | Exempt |
| Initiating Application — Parenting or Financial Seeking final orders in one matter only | $435 | Exempt |
| Interim Order Fee Added when seeking interim orders | $150 | Exempt |
| Response to Initiating Application Filing a response to the other party | $435 | Exempt |
| Application for Consent Orders Parenting, property, or both combined | $205 | Exempt |
| Application in a Case Applications within existing proceedings | $150 | Exempt |
| Subpoena for Production Per subpoena issued | $65 | Exempt |
Hearing fees
| Hearing type | Fee (per day) |
|---|---|
| Defended Hearing (Division 1) Matters heard by a Judge | $1,070 |
| Defended Hearing (Division 2) Matters heard by a Judge | $790 |
Combining applications saves money
Fee exemptions and reduced fees
You may be entitled to pay nothing at all. The court provides full exemptions and reduced fees for people who meet specific criteria — apply when you file your documents.
Full exemption — concession card holders
You are exempt from all filing fees if you hold any of the following:
- Health Care Card — issued by Services Australia
- Pensioner Concession Card — including Age and Disability Support pensions
- Commonwealth Seniors Health Card — for eligible seniors
- Legal Aid grant — an active grant covering your matter
Financial hardship exemption
If you don't hold a concession card but are experiencing financial hardship, you can apply for an exemption when filing your documents. You will need to provide supporting evidence, typically including:
- Bank statements (last 3 months)
- Centrelink income statement
- Evidence of debts and liabilities
- A letter explaining your financial circumstances
Reduced divorce application fee
Divorce applications have a specific reduced fee of $375 (compared to the standard $1,125) for eligible applicants. This applies if you hold a concession card or can demonstrate financial hardship. Other application types are either full fee or fully exempt — there is no partial reduction.
What you'll pay: common scenarios
Filing fees are only one part of the picture. These are the court fees alone for common scenarios — not including legal representation.
- Consent orders only ($205): You and your former partner agree on parenting and property arrangements. You file a single Application for Consent Orders. No hearing required.
- Divorce + consent orders ($1,325): You file for divorce ($1,125) and consent orders ($205) separately. These are separate applications filed at different times — the divorce fee cannot be combined with the consent orders fee.
- Contested parenting — interim + final ($585+): Initiating application seeking parenting orders ($435) plus interim orders ($150). If the matter proceeds to a defended hearing, additional daily hearing fees apply ($790–$1,070 per day). A 3-day trial adds $2,370–$3,210 in hearing fees alone.
- Contested parenting + property — both parties ($1,295+): Applicant files initiating application for both matters ($710 + $150 interim = $860). Respondent files response ($435). That's $1,295 in filing fees before any hearing fees, subpoenas, or other costs. A 5-day trial adds $3,950–$5,350 more.
How to pay filing fees
Filing fees must be paid in full at the time of filing. The court does not offer payment plans.
Commonwealth Courts Portal (online)
Most family law documents are filed online through the Commonwealth Courts Portal at comcourts.gov.au. Payment is made by credit or debit card at the time of filing. The steps are:
- Create an account on the Commonwealth Courts Portal
- Upload your completed application documents
- Select a fee exemption if eligible, or proceed to payment
- Pay by credit or debit card — you will receive a confirmation receipt
In person at a court registry
If you file in person at a court registry, you can pay by credit card, debit card, or money order. Cash is generally not accepted. Not all registries accept walk-in filings — check your local registry's requirements before attending.
No payment plans
Filing fees in context
Filing fees are a small fraction of the total cost of family law proceedings. The real cost driver is legal representation, not filing fees.
For consent orders, the $205 filing fee is most of the cost if you prepare the documents yourself. For a simple contested matter, filing fees of around $585 compare to total legal costs of $15,000–$40,000 — around 2–4% of the total. In a complex multi-day trial, the filing component can be less than 1% of the overall cost.
Solicitors typically charge $300–$650+ per hour. A single court attendance day with a solicitor and barrister can cost $3,000–$8,000. For a complete guide to all costs, see the Family Court Costs guide. For strategies to reduce your overall costs, see the guide on self-representation cost savings.
Common questions
How much does it cost to file in the Family Court in 2026?
Filing fees range from $205 to $1,125 depending on the application type. Consent orders cost $205, an initiating application seeking final orders only costs $435, final and interim orders costs $710 (plus $150 interim fee), and a divorce application costs $1,125. These fees took effect on 1 July 2025 and are set by the Family Law (Fees) Regulations 2022.
Can I get a fee exemption?
Yes. Full fee exemptions are available to holders of a Health Care Card, Pensioner Concession Card, Commonwealth Seniors Health Card, or recipients of a Legal Aid grant. If you don't hold one of these cards, you can apply for a financial hardship exemption by providing evidence of your financial circumstances. Fee exemptions are applied for when you file your documents.
What is the reduced divorce application fee?
The reduced divorce application fee is $375, compared to the standard fee of $1,125. The reduced fee applies if you hold a qualifying concession card or can demonstrate financial hardship. This represents a saving of $750.
How do I pay court filing fees?
Filing fees are paid online when you file through the Commonwealth Courts Portal (comcourts.gov.au). The Portal accepts credit card and debit card payments. If you are filing in person at a court registry, you can pay by credit card, debit card, or money order. Cash is generally not accepted. GST does not apply to court fees.
Do I have to pay a fee to respond to an application?
Yes. Filing a Response to an Initiating Application costs $435. Like the initiating application fee, you may be eligible for a fee exemption if you hold a concession card or are experiencing financial hardship. You should apply for the exemption when filing your response.
Do I pay separate fees for parenting and property applications?
If you combine parenting and property matters in a single Initiating Application, only one filing fee applies ($710 for final and interim, or $435 for final only). However, if you file separate applications for parenting and property, you will pay a filing fee for each one. This is why many people choose to combine their applications.
When do court fees change?
Court fees are typically updated annually on 1 July each year in line with the Annual federal courts and tribunals fee increases. The most recent increase took effect on 1 July 2025. Fees are set by the Commonwealth Government through the Family Law (Fees) Regulations 2022.
Are fees different in Western Australia?
Yes. Western Australia has its own Family Court (the Family Court of Western Australia), which sets its own fee schedule. While the fees are broadly similar, they are not identical to the FCFCOA fees that apply in all other states and territories. Check the Family Court of WA website for current fees.