⚖️Consent orders without a lawyer: what you need to know

Consent orders are written agreements you both sign and file with the Federal Circuit and Family Court. Once approved by a Registrar, they have the same force as a court judgment.

When consent orders are right

• You and your ex agree on the major points
• You want it legally enforceable if your ex changes their mind
• You don''t want to spend $20k+ on contested court

When they''re NOT right

• There''s family violence or coercion — speak to a lawyer first
• One of you is hiding assets
• You''re being pressured to sign something that doesn''t feel safe

What it costs

• Filing fee (2026): around $185 (you can apply for a fee waiver if you receive Centrelink)
• Legal Aid in your state may draft them free if you qualify

Be specific in the orders

Bad: "The mother and father will share school holidays." Good: "The children will spend the first half of each school holiday with the mother and the second half with the father, with handover at 5pm at McDonald''s Northcote."

If the matter becomes more formal, understand the ICL, family report writer and other court-appointed people. For day-to-day arrangements, these co-parenting communication scripts and gentle words for explaining family changes may help. The single-parent support overview also lists legal and practical help.

Free help available

• Family Relationships Advice Line: 1800 050 321
• Legal Aid in your state
• Women''s Legal Service in your state — free and trauma-informed