Property settlements, pets and children’s arrangements in the Family Law Amendment Bill 2024

Family law matters are deeply personal and may be emotionally charged. For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families, these challenges can be compounded by cultural considerations and historical disadvantage.

It’s a common question: how do you become an in-house lawyer? Is there a good time to make the move? How do you prepare, via secondments or other relevant experience? What qualities make a great in-house lawyer?

In-house is a very different environment to a law firm, especially as most in-house teams are still relatively small – often between three to six lawyers.

The Family Law Amendment Act 2024 received Royal Assent on 10 December 2024. These amendments are a result of recommendations made by the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee, the Australian Law Reform Commission’s review of the family law system as well as feedback from stakeholders. These recommendations include changes to provisions concerning companion animals, taking a less adversarial approach, disclosure, divorce, protected confidences, and costs orders.

Looking to optimise legal operations and improve service delivery across your firm?Download the course guide. During this course, you’ll cover everything from strategic planning to information governance to financial management. And you’ll walk away with the expertise and confidence to meet today’s legal challenges – head on.

A wrath of changes will be imposed upon Queensland legal practitioners, real estate agents, landlords, and mortgagees when the Property Law Act 2023 comes into effect on 1 August 2025. According to Tara Cush, College of Law lecturer Queensland, there will be the need to use specific forms to meet obligations under the new Act.

Download this guide to learn more about Dispute Resolution in a nutshell, the core expertise of a Dispute Resolution practitioner, the personal strengths of a Dispute Resolution practitioner, related areas of expertise, as well as specialisation options in Dispute Resolution such as Mediation, Family Dispute Resolution, and Collaborative law.

Download this guide to learn about a Career in International Arbitration. International arbitration is sometimes called a hybrid form of international dispute resolution, since it blends elements of civil law procedure and common law procedure, while allowing the parties a significant opportunity to design the arbitral procedure under which their dispute will be resolved.

Learn how Jess Grumelart forged a career in family law through a chance encounter at a careers fair - and an LLM in Applied Law (Family Law). We spoke to Jess about her road to family law, how her LLM helped her connect to a community of supportive family lawyers, and what advice she might have for lawyers wondering to align their legal career with their interests and passions.

Amid the AI hype and calls for a halt to AI, we examined how ChatGPT is used in law and its future impact.

Fiona Kirkman, family lawyer and co-founder of FamilyProperty, has been an early adopter, using ChatGPT for research, reviews, and summaries. We spoke with her to gain insights into its strengths and limitations in daily legal work.

Family lawyers must be aware of how violence can affect their clients, their client’s case and so be able to identify domestic violence. On 22 September 2023 the National Principles to Address Coercive Control in Family and Domestic Violence were released by the Attorney-General’s Department (‘A-G’).

Significant reforms to Family Law have just passed parliament on 19 October 2023.The Family Law Act (1975) is impacted by these Bills - the Family Law Amendment Bill and Family Law (Information Sharing) Bill. We spoke to Family Lawyer and College of Law Adjunct Lecturer Kathryn Kearley about what these reforms involve and what lawyers need to know.

The Honourable Robert Benjamin AM SC is no stranger to conflict. Having served for nearly sixteen years as a judge on the Family Court of Australia, Robert has also been a Commissioner for Tasmania’s Inquiry into Government Responses to Child Sexual Abuse in Institutional Settings. It’s a career that has seen him navigate the complex human dynamics of the courtroom. Robert shares his practical framework to navigate tricky conversations, specifically designed to help lawyers deliver unwelcome news to clients.

Linda Kochanski AM is a key figure in the transition from the National Mediator Accreditation System (NMAS) to the Australian Mediator and Dispute Resolution Accreditation Standards (AMDRAS). Linda sheds light on these significant accreditation changes and Jeffrey Roth, Head of Short Courses at the College, discusses the new Lawyer Mediation Accreditation (LMA) Scheme recently announced by the Law Society of NSW.

Unlock the insider insights to becoming a Family Dispute Resolution Practice (FDRP) in this exclusive recorded webinar by the esteemed experts at the College of Law.

Whether you're a legal professional eager to elevate your skills or a mediator aiming to expand your toolkit, this session covers all the essential details on the journey to becoming an FDRP.

Download your guide to a career in-house for everything you need to know about in-house practice in a nutshell, the personal strengths of an in-house lawyer, the core expertise of an in-house lawyer, related areas of expertise, and career prospects in-house.

Kiarah embodies the archetype of a lifelong learner – and she’s kindly shared her career tips from a serial student

Adeline Schiralli, Consulting Principal at Keypoint Law (NSW), is a master of Wills and Estates law. Literally. Adeline traces her journey to specialisation, highlighting the College of Law’s LLM as a crucial step to accreditation.

A recent case before the New South Wales Court of Appeal, Gan v Xie [2023] NSWCA 163, resurfaced issues regarding direct speech, and how it ought to appear in an affidavit. Barrister Jonathan Tsang, a College of Law graduate, spoke to us about the key implications following this decision, and what lawyers need to know moving forward.

Significant changes in legal delivery are occurring around the globe. Traditional ways of doing business have given way to innovation at lightning speed. Shift your way of thinking, solve problems efficiently and identify new opportunities for growth.

What’s the difference between management and leadership? This subject is a road map to understanding the complexities and motivations of individuals and teams, and how to lead them to success.

Navigating the legal world requires a sharp mind and empathy – especially in matters of succession law. Krystal Bellamy, a Special Counsel at HopgoodGanim Lawyers and College of Law LLM graduate, naturally embodies these traits, which have served her well as a Wills and Estates lawyer. Krystal shares the key to thriving in what some would consider a ‘morbid’ field.

Jess Popple, Senior Associate at Pippa Colman Family Law, has become something of a rising star in her field. Since completing her PLT and a postgraduate qualification at the College, Jess has won the Queensland Emergent Woman Lawyer of the Year Award – and served on numerous boards and associations.

We shed light on the significant changes coming to off-the-plan contract legislation is property specialist and College of Law adjunct lecturer, Greg Stilianou. Greg explains the key details around the proposed reforms, how they aim to rebalance power between developers and purchasers, and offers practical advice for legal practitioners and consumers.

Download your guide to a career in government and public sector law for everything you need to know about government and public sector law in a nutshell, the personal strengths of a government and public sector lawyer, the core expertise of a government and public sector lawyer, related areas of expertise, and career prospects in government and public sector law.

Family Law is undergoing a series of major reforms to the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth) which involves proposed changes as set out in the Family Law Amendment Bill (No. 2). Family lawyer and College of Law adjunct lecturer Kathryn Kearley provides an overview of the second tranche of reforms which have been moving through a consultation process, this ended on 10 November 2023. Here is a brief covering the Consultation on the Family Law Amendment Bill (No.2) 2023.

LLM graduate Ilvana Nanic shares why she finds family law so rewarding, and her advice to lawyers interested in studying The College of Law LLM.

Explore how an LLM helped best graduating student (commercial litigation) Dominique Mayo advance her career.

Jo Bragg, a solicitor in regional Tasmania, started as a generalist lawyer. Her personal experience of separation, along with increasing client demand, prompted her to move into family law. Insights spoke to Jo about what attracted her to family law, what her day-to-day life looks like in practice, and her advice for lawyers looking to move into the area.

For legal practitioners in Wills & Estates, finding clear ways to consider and assess mental capacity in a variety of situations is crucial. We spoke to College of Law Lecturer Josephine Pignataro, Special Counsel at HWL Ebsworth, and Accredited Specialist in Wills and Estates. Josephine shares key elements from the Law Council of Australia’s Best Practice Guide for Legal Practitioners on Assessing Mental Capacity or ‘the BPG’.

Download your guide to a career in family dispute resolution practice for everything you need to know about FDR in a nutshell, the personal strengths of a FDR Practitioner, the core expertise of a FDRP, related areas of expertise, and career prospects in FDR.

The law concerning off-the-plan purchases can be complex. However, as buyers seek affordable entry points into the property market, this kind of purchase has become more and more common. To help demystify this area of law, we spoke to property lawyer Jane Macdonnell, who is a College of Law lecturer in our popular LLM program. 

We caught up with Jonathon Naef, co-founder of multi-award winning boutique firm, Balance Family Law, to find out how he built the firm’s Wills & Estates team in response to both current and coming client demand in the space. It turns out family law and wills and estates can make the winning service combination…

Restrictive covenants on property titles can become outdated relics that hinder development and create unnecessary burdens for owners. Here to shed light on this often-overlooked aspect of property law is property specialist and College of Law adjunct lecturer, Greg Stilianou. Greg explains the common types of obsolete covenants, legal pathways for their removal, and potential reforms that could streamline the process for property owners.

In this article, we outline five simple strategies to help you choose your postgraduate subjects wisely. So your study pathway supports your career, your lifestyle – and your future.

How do you transcend the daily grind to do work you love? When can a career become a calling? What steps can you take to achieve the career you want? We spoke to John Poulsen, former CEO of Squire Patton Boggs and Principal of People Passion Performance, for his insights on getting the career you want informed by an illustrious career in law and leadership.

Following a series of reviews of the family law system, on 22 August 2024 the Australian Government introduced the Family Law Amendment Bill 2024 into the Commonwealth Parliament. The Bill sets out very significant amendments, including those relating to property settlements, pet custody and children’s arrangements, which aim to modernise and improve the family law system in Australia.

Kathryn Kearley webinar on navigating recent the family law changes and the College of Law's family law postgraduate programs.

Recently, the Supreme Court of New South Wales introduced combined Succession & Probate Lists, applicable to family provision claims and contested probate applications. Queensland is also trialling a Wills and Estates List and there are likely to be further implications for other jurisdictions. We spoke to College of Law Lecturer Josephine Pignataro, Special Counsel at HWL Ebsworth, about what you need to know and how this will impact your practice.

In Australia, the legal profession is evolving rapidly, driven by technological advancements and complex demands from clients and employers. Legal operations professionals, not necessarily with legal backgrounds, are pivotal in integrating new technologies, project management, and process improvements to meet modern market needs.

Download our Nationally Accredited Mediator Training handbook, if you are considering adding mediation to your skill set. Inside you'll find everything you need to know about the course.

Download the Dispute Resolution Postgraduate Course Guide to learn how our program can equip you with essential skills to resolve conflicts effectively and build a rewarding career in this growing field.

Download the Graduate Certificate in International Arbitration Practice Course Guide and unlock the skills needed to navigate complex, cross-border legal disputes with confidence and efficiency.

Download the Property Law Postgraduate Course Guide and discover how our specialised program can help you build expertise and thrive in this dynamic field.

Embarking on a legal career in local, state, or federal government can be an exciting move. There are many pathways for development, a broad range of practice areas, and often a healthy work-life balance. These roles are highly rewarding, and highly competitive, the College of Law tells you everything you need to know about landing a government job in law.

Parting ways in a relationship is never easy, and family lawyers are generally the first professional separating couples encounter when they end a relationship. For all of these reasons Angela Harbinson created The Separation Guide, which aims to make separation and divorce simpler, more manageable and less stressful.

Major changes are coming that will impact the family law system and the way practitioners operate in Australia. The Family Law Amendment Bill 2023 is currently under debate in parliament and after its third reading, it is now under review with the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee. The College of Law will provide legal training support when the Family Law Amendment Bill commences, but in the meantime, we spoke with College of Law adjunct lecturer Kathryn Kearley to find out about the most important changes.  

The College of Law recognised over 200 graduates of its Postgraduate Specialisation Programs at the 2022 Academic Awards Ceremony on 1 August. These awards included the Master of Laws (Applied Law), Master of Applied Law (Family Law), Graduate Diplomas of Applied Law and Graduate Diploma of Family Dispute Resolution Practice (FDRP).

Graduates and prize winners celebrated their achievements, received their awards and honours remotely due to continuing COVID-19 restrictions.

To understand where legal AI use cases are showing up within family law, the College spoke with two highly experienced practitioners who have incorporated AI into their legal practice in different ways. Fiona Kirkman, principal at Kirkman Family Law, embraced ChatGPT early on in her practice, while Jenna Downy, solicitor at Family Law Matters, helped train LawY, an AI legal research assistant.

Rick Christie, owner of ChristieLaw and committee member of STEP NSW, had always been attracted to the personal side of wills and estates. Insights spoke to Rick about how he came to specialise in wills and estates, what advice he might have for lawyers looking to move into the area, and what role industry organisation STEP can play for lawyers keen to become specialists.

Resolution Institute and The College of Law are pleased to announce an exciting new partnership aimed at establishing a symbiotic cooperation which will maximise the resources of both organisations through mutual collaboration and the sharing of expertise and efforts in education and training.

Refine your family law advocacy skills with a flexible, cost-effective digital certificate. Practical, industry-recognised – and career-enhancing. Enrol today.

In this webinar, three Accredited Specialists in Wills and Estates, Max Williams, Natalie Silvester, and Rachael Hocking, will provide key updates on wills and estates law across NSW, Victoria, and Queensland. They will share their experiences and motivations for pursuing specialisation, and explore how the College of Law’s postgraduate program can help advance your career and education in this field.

Download your guide to a career in property law for everything you need to know about property law in a nutshell, the personal strengths of a property lawyer, the core expertise of a property lawyer, related areas of expertise, and the career prospects in property law.

Brid Heffernan has grown through legal recruitment, litigation ops and support, and legaltech - the quintessential business of law. We caught up with Brid to trace her unlikely and impressive trajectory and experience with The College of Law.

How did principal of Divorce Legal and College of Law lecturer, Selina Nikoloudakis, open her practice doors with a full client roster? She credits consistent networking and the power of authentic connection. We spoke to Selina to learn more about her journey, and her advice for lawyers navigating their mid-career years.

The mediation profession in Australia has changed. For the first time, experienced mediators can gain formal recognition beyond initial accreditation. This article unpacks the new AMDRAS framework, what it means for your career, and how the College of Law’s Advanced Mediator Practicum Certificate can help you step up with confidence.

  Major reforms to South Australia’s succession laws came into force on 1 January 2025. The new year saw the repeal of three Acts (the Administration and Probate Act 1919 (SA), the Inheritance (Family Provision) Act 1972 (SA) and the Wills Act 1936 (SA)), replacing these with a single Succession Act 2023. These are the most significant changes to be made in 30 years, Lawyer Megan Horsell outlines what you need to know.    

Throughout the 2023 referendum, some have expressed uncertainty over the legal impact and implications of the Voice. We spoke to Associate Professors Elisa Arcioni and Andrew Edgar of the University of Sydney Law School to gain clarity over how the Voice came about, what it can (and can’t) do, and what legal practitioners need to know about the Voice.

While lawyers possess an impressive arsenal of skills those required in mediation aren’t necessarily what you think. We spoke to Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner and Alternative Dispute Resolution Academic of the Year, the College of Law’s Linda Kochanski, on what makes for a great mediator, the skills you need, and personalities that fit - and, at times, don’t naturally fit - mediation. 

Priority Notices are a relatively new feature in Real Property that property lawyers need to work with, and as such, they are not always well understood. Here to demystify how Priority Notices work, how they came about, and when and how to use them is property lawyer Greg Stilianou.

We congratulate and celebrate the success of the most recent graduates of our Postgraduate Specialisation Programs. These achievements demonstrate the culmination of hard work, diligence and commitment to mastery of their chosen area of law.

Download the ASEAN+6 Legal Practice Postgraduate Course Guide to discover how our program can prepare you for navigating complex international agreements and disputes across the ASEAN+6 region.

Learn practical tools and strategic approaches to spearhead your organisation into the future.

The Honourable Robert Benjamin AM SC has been a leading light in the Australian family legal system for decades. In his roles as Judge, Commissioner, President of the New South Wales Law Society, Chair of the College of Law, practitioner and meditator – Robert has had a profound impact on many areas of the law and continues to do so today. We asked the former Justice of the Family Court of Australia for insights into his extraordinary career and today’s family law practices.

Download the Commercial Litigation Postgraduate Course Guide to explore how our tailored program can enhance your legal expertise and open up new opportunities in the profession.

Download the Wills and Estates Postgraduate Programs Course Guide and discover how our program can equip you with the knowledge and skills to navigate the complex world of estate planning, probate, and elder law.

Learn why senior associate Alexandra Brand studied legal business subjects to improve her knowledge of marketing, pricing, strategy, and client service.

Max recounts his path to discovering his passion in Wills and Estates – and how the College of Law helped him along the way.

Learn how Carmel Morrison returned to study with an LLM, and Specialist Accreditation.

To mark our 40th anniversary, The College of Law recently ran a survey asking for your view on the top 10 most influential High Court of Australia cases over the last 40 years. The responses you provided us showcased a range of landmark cases, spanning from Indigenous land rights, to clashes between territory and Commonwealth, to the David-vs-Goliath legal struggles of refugees.

Download the Postgraduate Programs Course Guide today and discover how our practical, hands-on approach can equip you with the skills and knowledge you need to succeed.

Family law practitioners may be well acquainted with the significance of the Rice and Asplund case when seeking to vary parenting orders. Mark Youssef, partner at Unified Lawyers and Accredited Specialist in Family Law, provides valuable insights into this fundamental threshold test, its practical application, and considerations for legal practitioners navigating this complex area.

From 10 June 2025, major changes to the Family Law Act 1975 (‘the Act’) took effect across Australia. The Family Law Amendment Act 2024 introduced sweeping reforms to property settlement, following on from amendments regarding parenting arrangements and information sharing (which commenced in May 2024 under the Family Law Amendment Act 2023).

Family law is an area where a client may have expectations that a lawyer can do or take action against the other party which may not be appropriate. In this area of practice, being an ethical lawyer is more important than ever. We spoke to family lawyer and College of Law lecturer Kathryn Kearley to explore the critical connection between legal expertise and professional conduct. We explore the ethical challenges that family lawyers encounter.

The Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia recently announced an expansion of its innovative Court Dog Program, with three new facility dogs set to join the Sydney, Parramatta and Newcastle registries early this year. This expansion, funded by the Law Society of New South Wales, builds upon the program's remarkable success in Melbourne and Hobart.

Barrister and international arbitrator Martin Polaine has worked in over 80 countries. Learn how you can qualify as an international arbitrator with this College of Law pathways to CIArb membership.

Download the Family Law Postgraduate Course Guide to learn how our program can help you develop the skills and knowledge needed to guide families through complex legal challenges and build a fulfilling career.

Learn how to align workforce planning and strategy in an ever-evolving workplace. Using a wide range of case studies and resources, you’ll consider the practical challenges of a multi-generational workforce, the paradox of being both profitable today and ready for tomorrow and the different ways to communicate your insights to stakeholders.

Every conveyancer and property lawyer has become a master of an ELNO - or Electronic Lodgment Network Operator. PEXA was the first ELNO allowed to operate in Australia, its stronghold, however, looks set to change with updates to the Operating Requirements and Participation Rules introducing interoperability provisions. Competitors like Sympli will be able to compete more meaningfully. We spoke to experienced property lawyer and college lecturer Greg Stilianou to find out what property lawyers and conveyancers need to know. 

Download your guide to a career in business law for everything you need to know about business law in a nutshell, personal strengths of a business lawyer, core expertise of a business lawyer, related areas of expertise and career prospects in business law.

As a family lawyer, you will influence the lives of families who come to you for support and expertise during times of great upheaval and trauma. Download your guide to a career in family law.

Queensland is on track to require a stronger duty of disclosure upon Sellers, bringing them in greater alignment with Australia’s southern states. These reforms come as part of a proposed Property Law Bill 2023, which, if passed, is likely to have significant implications for property lawyers practising in Queensland. We spoke to College of Law lecturer Tara Cush on the implications of these reforms, what they involve, and what lawyers need to know.

Have you thought about postgraduate studies? Not sure what it's like, what it takes, and the positive impact it could have on your career? This webinar recording was presented by Tatiana Rabaeva, Head of Postgraduate Programs. It will offer you the opportunity to hear live and gain more insight from the College program Lecturers and Alumni, Adeline Shiralli and Crispian Carlowe.