Best Law Firms Australia

Best Family Lawyers in Australia

Updated 22 September 2026

Compare family lawyers in Australian capital cities and regional centres, ranked on accredited family law specialists, years in family law, fee model and their public client review record. A family lawyer advises on separation, files divorce applications, negotiates property settlements and applies for parenting orders under the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth). In Western Australia, these matters go to the Family Court of Western Australia instead of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (FCFCOA).

The first step for most separated parents is family dispute resolution. Before a court will accept an application for parenting orders, the applicant must file a certificate from a family dispute resolution practitioner under section 60I of the Family Law Act, unless an exception such as family violence or urgency applies. Property disputes have their own pre-action steps: dispute resolution, a written offer and full disclosure of finances. Our criteria for ordering firms are set out in how we rank law firms.

Editor's picks

Chosen by our editors from verified facts and always labelled. Shown separately from the data-ranked list. How we rank law firms

Editor's pick #1Family law practice

Family Lawyer Associates

Melbourne VIC

Family Lawyer Associates is a Melbourne-based family law practice that acts for clients in every Australian state and territory.

  • Based in Melbourne and acting in family law matters nationally.
  • Handles divorce and separation, property and financial settlements, parenting arrangements and child support.
  • Also acts in family violence, de facto separation, financial agreements and international family law matters.

Melbourne VIC

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Editor's pick #2Law firm

Pearce Webster Dugdales

★★★★★ 4.6 (54 Google reviews, Southbank (99 Queens Bridge St))

Pearce Webster Dugdales is a Melbourne law firm, incorporating the former practice Tolhurst Druce & Emmerson, acting in family law, wills and estates, property and commercial matters.

  • Office at Unit 1, 99 Queens Bridge Street, Southbank VIC 3006, with family law appointments in Geelong.
  • Several of its lawyers are accredited specialists with the Law Institute of Victoria.
  • Google rating 4.6 from 54 reviews (Google Maps, September 2026).

Southbank VICGeelong VIC

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Editor's pick #3Family law firm

Doyle's Family Law & Mediation

★★★★★ 4.0 (4 Google reviews, Hawthorn (Glenferrie Rd))

Doyle's Family Law & Mediation is a family law firm in Hawthorn, Melbourne, that also sees clients in Lorne by appointment.

  • Office at 556-558 Glenferrie Road, Hawthorn VIC 3122.
  • Acts in property settlements, financial agreements, divorce applications, spousal maintenance and parenting matters.
  • Works through negotiation, mediation, litigation and advocacy.

Hawthorn VICLorne VIC (by appointment)

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Editor's pick #4Law firm and notary public

AM Legal

★★★★★ 5.0 (5 Google reviews, Aldinga (Old Coach Rd))

AM Legal is a South Australian law firm in Aldinga, practising since 2007, with family law, estate planning and commercial services and a notary public service.

  • Office at 29 Old Coach Road, Aldinga SA 5173.
  • Practising since 2007.
  • Offers notarial services for documents to be used in Australia and overseas.

Aldinga SA

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Top-rated family lawyers by city

Sydney

Full ranking →
  1. 1Mistry Fallahi★★★★★ 5.0 (286)
  2. 2James & Jaramillo Lawyers★★★★★ 5.0 (222)
  3. 3Unified Lawyers★★★★★ 4.9 (560)

Brisbane

Full ranking →
  1. 1Solomons Legal★★★★★ 5.0 (122)
  2. 2TWC Lawyers★★★★★ 4.9 (228)
  3. 3Kate Austin Family Lawyers★★★★★ 4.9 (187)

Adelaide

Full ranking →
  1. 1Clark Panagakos Family Law★★★★★ 4.9 (119)
  2. 2ASA Lawyers★★★★★ 4.9 (111)
  3. 3Swan Family Lawyers★★★★★ 4.9 (102)

Perth

Full ranking →
  1. 1Hickman Family Lawyers Perth★★★★★ 4.9 (194)
  2. 2Buenaventura Law★★★★★ 5.0 (58)
  3. 3Tang Law★★★★★ 4.8 (598)

Melbourne

Full ranking →
  1. 1Unite Legal★★★★★ 5.0 (135)
  2. 2Seitz & Pepper Family Lawyers Melbourne★★★★★ 5.0 (128)
  3. 3Aston Legal Group★★★★★ 4.9 (354)

Canberra

Full ranking →
  1. 1Ammitoj Singh Legal★★★★★ 5.0 (174)
  2. 2BDN Lawyers★★★★★ 4.9 (177)
  3. 3TranQuill Legal★★★★★ 4.9 (119)

Hobart

Full ranking →
  1. 1EB Conveyancing★★★★★ 5.0 (107)
  2. 2Goodman Conveyancing★★★★★ 4.9 (161)
  3. 3Logan & Partners★★★★★ 4.9 (53)

Darwin

Full ranking →
  1. 1Bryson Kelly Legal★★★★★ 4.9 (119)
  2. 2Darwin Family Law★★★★★ 5.0 (14)
  3. 3GRAYS LEGAL | Lawyers Darwin★★★★★ 4.8 (25)

Gold Coast

Full ranking →
  1. 1Pharmacis Canning Lawyers★★★★★ 5.0 (114)
  2. 2MCG Legal★★★★★ 4.9 (135)
  3. 3Paradise Law★★★★★ 5.0 (59)

What does a family lawyer do?

A family lawyer is a solicitor who advises and acts for people in separation, divorce, parenting, property and child support matters under the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth). The main tasks are:

  1. Advise on rights and entitlements after separation.
  2. File divorce applications, sole or joint.
  3. Negotiate property settlements, including superannuation splits.
  4. Draft consent orders for property and parenting arrangements.
  5. Draft binding financial agreements and sign the independent-advice statement each party needs.
  6. Apply for parenting orders, including interim orders.
  7. Respond to parenting or property applications filed by the other party.
  8. Represent clients at family dispute resolution, conciliation conferences and hearings.
  9. Seek or resist spousal maintenance.
  10. Act as an independent children's lawyer when the court appoints one under section 68L.

Divorce lawyer

A divorce lawyer is a family lawyer who handles the divorce application. There is no separate licence. The divorce itself is often simple: the only ground is irretrievable breakdown, proved by 12 months' separation under section 48 of the Family Law Act. The lawyer's work usually lies in the matters a divorce does not settle, such as property and children. The How to Get a Divorce in Australia guide sets out the 7 steps.

Child custody lawyer

A child custody lawyer is a family lawyer who handles parenting disputes. Australian law does not use the word "custody". The Family Law Act uses "parenting orders" and "parental responsibility", and the court's paramount consideration is the child's best interests under section 60CA. The lawyer negotiates parenting plans, drafts consent orders and applies for or responds to parenting orders.

Property settlement lawyer

A property settlement lawyer is a family lawyer who divides assets, debts and superannuation after separation under section 79 (married couples) or section 90SM (de facto couples) of the Family Law Act. The work covers disclosure, valuations, negotiation, consent orders and court applications.

Family law firm

A family law firm is a firm that practises only or mainly family law. A general practice firm with a family law team does the same legal work; the difference is volume and focus, not the licence.

When do you need a family lawyer?

You need a family lawyer when a separation involves assets, children, a deadline or safety concerns. The most common situations are below.

Do you need a lawyer for a divorce?

Not always. Many people file a divorce application without a lawyer, particularly a joint application. The court fee is $1,170, or $390 at the reduced rate, as at September 2026. A lawyer is useful when the other party cannot be found, when the couple separated under one roof and affidavits are needed, or when the other party opposes the divorce.

Do you need a lawyer for a property settlement?

A lawyer is strongly advisable when the property pool includes superannuation, a business, a trust or disputed contributions. Married couples must start court proceedings within 12 months after the divorce takes effect, and de facto couples within 2 years after the relationship ends, under section 44 of the Family Law Act. The Property Settlement After Separation guide explains the court's four steps.

Do you need a lawyer for parenting orders?

A lawyer is advisable when parents cannot agree after family dispute resolution, or when one parent wants to relocate with the children. Since 6 May 2024 there is no presumption of equal shared parental responsibility, so every arrangement turns on the child's best interests. The Parenting Orders in Australia guide compares consent orders and court orders.

Do you need a lawyer if there is family violence?

Yes, in most cases. Family violence is an exception to the family dispute resolution requirement under section 60I(9), it is a safety factor in every parenting decision under section 60CC, and since 10 June 2025 its economic effect is a listed consideration in property settlements under section 79. Protection orders are separate proceedings in state courts; see What Is an AVO in NSW? Conditions, Breaches & Court and Intervention Orders in Victoria.

How much does a family lawyer cost in Australia?

A family lawyer in Australia commonly charges between $300 and $750 per hour plus GST, and senior accredited specialists in capital cities charge $900 or more per hour. The ranges below are indicative as at September 2026. They vary with the firm, the city, the lawyer's seniority and how far the other party disputes the matter, and they are not quotes.

Matter Common fee model Indicative legal fees
First consultation Free or fixed fee $0 to around $600
Divorce application Fixed fee Around $1,000 to $3,000, plus the $1,170 court fee
Consent orders (property or parenting) Fixed fee Around $2,500 to $6,000+
Binding financial agreement Fixed fee per party Around $3,000 to $10,000
Contested matter to final hearing Hourly plus barrister fees Around $30,000 to $100,000+ per party

Each party generally pays their own legal costs. Under section 114UB of the Family Law Act, the court orders one party to pay the other's costs only where the circumstances justify it. The How Much Does a Lawyer Cost in Australia? guide explains costs agreements and billing methods.

Can you get a free family lawyer?

Yes, if you meet the eligibility rules of one of these services:

  1. Legal aid commissions. Each state and territory commission funds family law representation for people who pass its means and merit tests. See Legal Aid in Australia.
  2. Family law duty lawyers. Legal aid duty lawyers at family court registries give free advice on the day of a hearing.
  3. Community legal centres. Many give free advice on separation, parenting and property.
  4. Family Relationship Advice Line. The line (1800 050 321) gives information on parenting arrangements and refers callers to free services.

The Free Legal Advice in Australia guide lists options by state.

How to choose a family lawyer

Choose a family lawyer by checking these points before signing a costs agreement:

  1. Practising certificate. Confirm the lawyer holds a current practising certificate on the state regulator's public register.
  2. Accredited specialist status. Ask whether the lawyer is an accredited specialist in family law. Accreditation is voluntary and is assessed by the state law society; see What Is an Accredited Specialist Lawyer?.
  3. Fee disclosure. Get the written costs disclosure and total estimate, including barrister and expert fees.
  4. Fixed-fee options. Ask whether consent orders, divorce applications or financial agreements are available at a fixed fee.
  5. Court experience. Ask how often the lawyer appears in the FCFCOA or, in WA, the Family Court of Western Australia.
  6. Who does the work. Ask who will run the file day to day and who will attend court.

The How to Choose a Lawyer in Australia guide lists general checks for any practice area.

How has family law changed since 2021?

Family law changed in three stages:

  1. 1 September 2021. The Family Court of Australia and the Federal Circuit Court were brought together as the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia, with two divisions. Family law applications outside WA are filed in Division 2.
  2. 6 May 2024. The Family Law Amendment Act 2023 (Cth) removed the presumption of equal shared parental responsibility and the rule that required courts to consider equal or "substantial and significant" time. It replaced the best-interests factors in section 60CC with a shorter list led by safety.
  3. 10 June 2025. The Family Law Amendment Act 2024 (Cth) wrote the property settlement steps into section 79, added the economic effect of family violence, material wastage and children's housing needs as considerations, and created rules for companion animals. It also removed the counselling certificate that couples married less than 2 years needed before filing for divorce.

Family Lawyers by location

Family law guides

These guides explain the matters family lawyers handle most often:

For firms across every practice area, see the guide to the best law firms in Australia.

Frequently asked questions

Can one family lawyer act for both of us?

No. A lawyer cannot act for both parties in the same separation because their interests conflict. Each person needs their own lawyer, and a binding financial agreement requires each party to receive independent legal advice under section 90G of the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth).

Can a father get 50/50 care of the children?

There is no rule for or against 50/50 care. Since 6 May 2024 the Family Law Act has no presumption of equal shared parental responsibility, and the court decides time arrangements only by the child's best interests under section 60CC.

Does a family lawyer have to be an accredited specialist?

No. Any solicitor with a current practising certificate can act in a family law matter. Accredited specialist status is a voluntary extra qualification assessed by the state law society.

Where can I get free family law advice?

The Family Relationship Advice Line (1800 050 321) refers callers to free information and advice services. Legal aid commissions, family law duty lawyers at court and community legal centres also give free advice, subject to their own eligibility rules.

Do I need a family lawyer in Western Australia if the Family Court is different?

The process differs, not the need. In Western Australia divorce, parenting and property matters go to the Family Court of Western Australia, and de facto property matters are decided under the Family Court Act 1997 (WA), so a lawyer who practises in that court is useful.