On 17 August 2017, the then Attorney-General of Australia, Senator the Hon George Brandis QC, asked the Australian Law Reform Commission (ALRC) to review the family law system, commencing from 1 October 2017.

This Issues Paper is the first consultation document in the Inquiry. It introduces the issues covered by the Terms of Reference and asks questions to assist in the development of reform responses through submissions from stakeholders. The submissions and further consultation rounds will inform the next stages of the process: a Discussion Paper, planned for release in September 2018; and the Final Report in March 2019.

The Terms of Reference for this Inquiry ask the ALRC to consider reform to the family law system. A number of matters are particularly highlighted for consideration. Taken together, the Terms of Reference require the ALRC to consider the appropriate role of the family law system in contemporary Australia and how it can be responsive to the needs of diverse families and family structures.

Submissions close 7 May 2018.