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Grandparent / Kinship Carer — Initiating Application for Parenting Orders (Parental Responsibility)

Form number: Initiating Application (Family Law)

The form and process by which a grandparent, other relative, or kinship carer applies to the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia for parenting orders (including parental responsibility) in relation to a child when parents are unavailable, deceased, incarcerated, or unable to care for the child.

Issuing authority

Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (FCFCOA)

Official source

fcfcoa.gov.au

Cost

$435 filing fee (parenting-only final orders, from 1 July 2025); fee waivers available for financial hardship; add $150 if also filing for interim orders ($585 total)

How to apply

  1. Attempt family dispute resolution (FDR) with a qualified Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner, unless an exemption applies (e.g. family violence, child abuse, urgency), and obtain a section 60I certificate.
  2. Complete the Initiating Application (Family Law) form, available on the FCFCOA website and Commonwealth Courts Portal (CCP), selecting parenting orders and identifying as a grandparent or person concerned with the child's care, welfare and development.
  3. Complete supporting documents: a Genuine Steps Certificate confirming genuine steps were taken to resolve the dispute; a Notice of Child Abuse, Family Violence or Risk; and a Parenting Questionnaire.
  4. If the application is urgent (e.g. no parent available due to death, incarceration or serious injury in a family violence context), apply to be listed on the Critical Incident List for expedited hearing.
  5. File all documents electronically via the Commonwealth Courts Portal (comcourts.gov.au) and pay the filing fee ($435 for parenting-only final orders; fee waivers available for financial hardship).
  6. Serve the sealed application on all respondents (including the child's parents) in accordance with the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Family Law) Rules 2021.
  7. Attend the first court event (typically a Conciliation Conference or Dispute Resolution Conference) and engage in any court-ordered mediation or family report process.
  8. If unresolved, proceed to a final hearing where the Judge determines orders in the best interests of the child, including orders for parental responsibility, living arrangements, or contact.

Related topics

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