The focus of this paper is the approximately 650,000 separated families, and the 1.3 million children affected by these separations in Australia. For these families too, it is likely that COVID-19 will amplify both the opportunities and the dangers.

This report adds to what is known about the behaviour and motivations of separated parents in Australia, drawing on three independent data sets.

The report is a benchmark study based on data relating to a period prior to the 2006 reforms to the family law system and will be used to assist in evaluating aspects of the reforms. It provides some challenging findings about the frequency of allegations of violence and abuse and the amount of supporting material...

The Attitudes to Child Support Study, conducted by the AIFS early in 2005, was designed to inform the work of the Ministerial Taskforce on Child Support. Data were obtained from a general population sample of 1001 people aged between 18 and 64 years and from a national random sample of 620 separated/divorced parents with at...

The Australian government recently announced a parliamentary inquiry to investigate whether a legal presumption of joint residence should become part of Australian family law - that is, if parents separate and cannot agree on arrangements for their children, the starting point should be that children spend equal time with each parent. The AIFS submission to...