Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture

The Family Law Act recognises the importance of children maintaining a connection with their indigenous culture following family breakdown. The family law courts can hear evidence from people who understand the culture and who can help the court to make the best arrangements for individual children.

The Family Court of Australia employs indigenous family liaison officers (elders or specialist workers). They are based at registries in the Northern Territory and Far North Queensland but can help other registries and the Federal Magistrates Court of Australia. These resources are not available to the Family Court of Western Australia.

These liaison officers are well known and respected in their local communities and:

• advise the court on how to provide its services more effectively to indigenous families
• give indigenous people information about the court
• help indigenous people with court staff
• educate court staff
• give help and support to indigenous clients
• provide information and refer people to other services.

Some states and territories provide other services, such as advice and mediation for indigenous people. Contact your local Aboriginal legal service, Legal Aid Queensland, community legal centre or the family law courts for more information.

Acknowledgment - Prepared using fact sheets which are copyright to the Commonwealth of Australia and National Legal Aid.