(FR)

Process for completion of a Family Report

To attend an assessment for a Family Report (FR), you may have obtained a Federal Circuit and Family Court Order made under Section 62G of the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth).

The Order will instruct the adult parties and the child/ren to attend for an assessment to determine each child’s needs and parenting arrangements to meet each child’s needs. A Family Report can also be ordered for the purpose of assessing specific risk issues or concerns impacting on the child.

Adults and children will need to be available to attend the assessment over one to two days.

The assessment consists of 90-minute interviews with each adult, 30-minute interviews with each child and 30-minute observations between the child/ren and each parent separately. Observations must be conducted in person while interviews can be conducted online or in person.

As part of the assessment process for a Family Report, further information may be obtained in relation to the well-being of the child/ren, and in relation to risk or the issues in dispute. This can include verbal and written communication with childcare and educational services, medical and allied health services, government departments or review of subpoena documents.

Family Matters require at least 3 weeks’ notice to schedule an assessment for a Family Report.

The report will be completed and ready for release 5 weeks after the assessment. The report will be released to adult legal representatives, an independent children’s lawyer or a self-represented party.

Following the assessment, the Family Report may be considered during a Dispute Resolution Conference, Mediation session, or during a court hearing to determine Final Orders or Interim Orders for parenting arrangements for the child/ren. Please speak to your legal representative for more information regarding the direction of your specific case.

A Family Report is a longer, more thorough and more detailed in comparison to the short form Short Form Report. It may involve longer interviews and therefore more assessment of risk issues, the issues in dispute, history and detailed information is obtained in relation to a child’s needs and experiences in order to determine suitable care arrangements. A Family Report may also be suitable for recommending longer term, stable or final care arrangements for a child or children.

Fees for a Family Report are $8000 (plus GST) for two adults and 1-2 children. Additional adult and child interviews will incur a further fee of $500 per person (plus gst).
A deposit of 50% (or 25% if divided between two parties) is required 7 days before the assessment booking date. If the assessment is cancelled with less than 7 days’ notice, the deposit will be retained by Family Matters.