Major Changes Are Coming to Family Law in Australia – Here’s What You’ll want to Know

In this episode, I sit down with my mum  Lyn, our favourite straight-talking family lawyer—to unpack the biggest Family Law changes coming into effect on June 10, 2025.

We discuss how these legal reforms will impact property settlements, family violence considerations, companion animals (yes, pets!), financial disclosure rules, and more. Whether you’re currently separating, in court, or supporting someone going through it, these new laws could change the game for you.

We also break down why these changes matter, how they could help victims of coercive control or economic abuse, and the kinds of evidence that could now influence outcomes in property disputes. As always, we bring the info in a way that’s easy to understand—no legal jargon, just real talk..

⚠️ Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussions of family and domestic violence.
📌 Legal Disclaimer: This episode contains general information only and is not legal advice. Please seek independent legal advice for your situation.

🎧 Listen to this episode if… 

🐾 You’re separating and worried about who gets the dog
💸 You’ve experienced economic or financial abuse
⚖️ You’re navigating a property settlement and unsure what’s “fair”
📜 You’re already in court and want to know if these changes apply
😟 You’ve struggled to get your lawyer to take family violence seriously
📂 You’re overwhelmed with financial disclosure or suspect your ex is hiding assets
💔 You want to protect your rights—and your peace of mind—in the process

⏱️ Timeline Summary – What You’ll Hear

• 0:00 – Trigger warning and legal disclaimer
  
  
• 1:00 – Why these 2025 law changes matter
  
  
• 2:00 – How family violence can now impact property settlements
  
  
• 5:00 – Understanding the new “wastage” rule (big shift!)
  
  
• 10:00 – What counts as economic abuse in property disputes
  
  
• 15:00 – Your pet isn’t just “property” anymore – companion animals and court
  
  
• 20:00 – Financial disclosure: new pressure on lawyers and parties
  
  
• 27:00 – Children’s Contact Centres: mandatory accreditation and safety focus
  
  
• 33:00 – Less Adversarial Approaches: what’s changing and what’s not
  
  
• 38:00 – Does this apply to your case if you're already in court?
  
  
• 41:00 – How these changes can help—or hurt—you depending on your approach
  
  
• 46:00 – Final wrap-up: What to do now and what to watch for next
  
  

🔑 Key Topics Discussed in This Episode

• The biggest Family Law reforms in 20+ years — and what triggered them
  
  
• How coercive control and economic abuse will now factor into property settlements
  
  
• Why “wastage” matters (and how post-separation spending could impact outcomes)
  
  
• The real legal status of pets in 2025 — not just “property” anymore!
  
  
• New financial disclosure rules and how they’ll change the game
  
  
• The pressure on lawyers to address family violence properly
  
  
• Why Children’s Contact Centres are changing — and becoming safer
  
  
• The shift towards less adversarial approaches in court
  
  
• Whether these changes apply to your existing case
  
  
• What to do now to prepare if you’re currently separated or about to file
  
  

🔗 Links & Resources
📄 Download the updated Central Practice Direction
📄 Link to the Attorney-General's 2025 Family Law fact sheets

https://www.ag.gov.au/families-and-marriage/publications/family-law-property-changes-10-june-2025-fact-sheet-separating-couples

https://www.ag.gov.au/families-and-marriage/publications/family-law-changes-june-2025-information-family-law-professionals

☎️ 1800 RESPECT – Family/domestic violence support
☎️ Lifeline: 13 11 14 – For emotional support
📧 Email the show: [email protected]

⚠️ Emergency Contacts & Support Services:

💜 Women’s Shelter Service: Call 1800 811 811
⚖️ Legal Aid: Visit Legal Aid Website
📞 Lifeline (24/7 Crisis Support): Call 13 11 14
👨‍👦 Mensline Australia: Call 1300 789 978
👧 Kids Help Line: Call 1800 551 800
🚨 National Domestic Violence Hotline (1800 RESPECT): Call 1800 737 732
🖤 Aboriginal Family Domestic Violence Hotline: Call 1800 019 123

🎙️ Related Episodes:

• Does Domestic Violence Effect Property Settlement https://open.spotify.com/episode/5ByQsXAVUNYQyLVspOFF37?si=WbBHNF5GRACQ4Od20K05FA

• Disclosure Checklist https://www.thedivorcecourse.com.au/disclosurechecklist

• Overcoming Disclosure Dilemmashttps://open.spotify.com/episode/0uOO8dKYV4NWlCfyu8FZEh?si=Vin4YgpKT020Aout1aWXzA

Episode 194: What the 2025 Family Law Reforms Mean for You (Pets, Property & Power Plays)