A CAREER IN FAMILY LAW

Explore the work, skills, and pathways to a career in family law

Updated : November 2025

Family law focuses on the legal aspects of family relationships — from marriage and separation to parenting and property division. It’s one of the most human-centred areas of practice, helping families navigate change, resolve disputes, and rebuild stability after separation.

Family lawyers play a vital role in shaping how families move forward. They advise clients through some of life’s most emotional moments, ensuring fair outcomes that protect children, preserve assets, and promote safety.

At the College of Law, you can specialise in Family Law through postgraduate study that builds your practical expertise in negotiation, litigation, and dispute resolution.

What does a family lawyer do day to day?

Family lawyers guide clients through the breakdown of relationships and related legal issues. Their work combines client advocacy, communication, and legal strategy.

Typical responsibilities include:

• Advising on property settlements and financial agreements
• Managing parenting arrangements and child support matters
• Drafting settlement agreements, consent orders, and binding financial agreements
• Representing clients in mediation, dispute resolution, or court hearings
• Guiding clients with empathy and clarity through the personal challenges of separation

You may work in private practice, community legal services, or government roles — anywhere people need help navigating family change.

Is family law a good area to specialise in?

Yes. Family law is one of the most consistently busy and resilient practice areas. Demand remains strong across all economic conditions because relationship breakdowns continue regardless of financial cycles.

It offers:

• Purpose: Helping families move forward with dignity and fairness
• Variety: Combining negotiation, mediation, and advocacy
• Impact: Improving outcomes for children and vulnerable individuals
• Stability: A steady flow of work in both private and public sectors

For many practitioners, the opportunity to make a difference in people’s lives is what makes family law deeply rewarding.

 

Earning potential in family law

Your level of education can have a major impact on your earning potential.

Data from the College of Law Legal Salary Survey 2025 shows that lawyers with postgraduate qualifications or specialist accreditation earn, on average, more than $130,000 a year. Around $20,000 higher than those with only an undergraduate qualification.

Source: College of Law Legal Salary Survey 2025

As the demand for skilled family law practitioners continues to grow, advanced qualifications can help you build both expertise and career momentum.

Who are the clients of family lawyers?

Family lawyers advise clients dealing with separation, property division, parenting arrangements, financial disputes, and family violence. Many represent separating couples seeking fair parenting and financial outcomes, while others act in high-asset or complex property cases.

Clients may include parents negotiating shared care, individuals leaving unsafe relationships, or families dividing business and personal assets. You may also assist with protection orders or child support enforcement.

Whatever the circumstances, clear communication and empathy are essential to help people make sound decisions during emotional and often stressful times.

Explore key references and tools in our guide to essential family law resources every practitioner should know about.

What personal strengths suit family law?

Family law attracts lawyers who combine empathy with clear thinking. It calls for calm under pressure, strong communication, and the ability to guide clients through uncertainty with confidence.

You need to balance compassion with objectivity, understanding your client’s emotional state while keeping decisions focused on practical outcomes. Emotional intelligence, resilience, and adaptability are essential when navigating conflict, complex family dynamics, or sudden legislative change.

Equally important are critical thinking and precision. Drafting, negotiation, and advocacy demand attention to detail and clear reasoning, often under time pressure.

As one College of Law graduate shared, “You can make a lasting difference to a child’s life, that’s what makes it worth it.”

How stressful is family law compared to other areas?

Family law can be emotionally demanding, but it’s also one of the most personally fulfilling. You’ll see clients at their most vulnerable, and your guidance can restore stability and hope.

The work requires patience and professionalism, but many family lawyers find satisfaction in knowing their efforts directly improve clients’ wellbeing and future outcomes.

What are the pros and cons of a career in family law?

Pros:

• Personally rewarding, people-focused work
• Constant demand across sectors
• Opportunities to develop advocacy and negotiation skills
• Long-term career stability

Cons:

• Emotionally charged cases can be draining
• Requires emotional maturity and self-care
• Court delays and legislative changes can add pressure

Most practitioners say the rewards far outweigh the challenges — especially when clients express relief and gratitude for the outcomes achieved.

How do I become a family lawyer?

Family law is a career built through experience, skill, and continued learning. Many lawyers start with exposure to family matters during their law degree or early legal work and then advance through postgraduate study..

Step 1: Build core skills

Early in your career, short courses help you strengthen your technical and client-facing skills. The College’s CPD courses and Digital Certificates are designed for new or practising lawyers who want practical learning in areas such as:

• Initiating applications for parenting orders or financial orders
• Applications for divorce
• Oral Advocacy in family law Proceedings
• Mediation and negotiation techniques

These are ideal if you’re exploring family law or preparing to take on more complex cases.

Step 2: Advance through postgraduate study

As your experience grows, postgraduate qualifications help you build advanced knowledge and move into more complex, higher-value family law matters. The College offers three key programs designed specifically for practising family lawyers:

1. The Graduate Diploma of Applied Law (Family Law) provides a shorter, more focused option for lawyers who want to build specialist family law skills without committing to a full Master’s program.

2. The Master of Laws (Applied Law) majoring in Family Law suits those who want flexibility. You can combine Family Law with another major or take electives to broaden your expertise across different areas of practice.

3. The Master of Applied Law (Family Law) is ideal if you want to specialise deeply in Family Law, focusing entirely on family-related subjects to strengthen your expertise in this field.

All programs are flexible and practice-focused, with online delivery designed to fit around professional life.

Step 3: Broaden your professional scope

With postgraduate qualifications and experience, many lawyers progress to roles as accredited specialists, mediators, or FDRPs — or establish their own practices.

Each step in your learning journey builds the practical expertise, confidence, and credibility that define successful family law practitioners.

Compare Your Family Law Study Options

Advancing your career with The College of Law

Family law is about more than resolving disputes — it’s about helping families find stability and strength after change.

The College of Law’s postgraduate programs in Family Law prepare you for complex property, parenting, and financial matters. You’ll learn from practitioners who understand the realities of family practice and how to manage both the legal and human sides of each case.

Learn more about postgraduate study in Family Law