Child Relocation
Relocating with a child to a different city, state, or country requires careful consideration. If you’re the primary caregiver and need to relocate, it’s important to first discuss it with the other parent. If an agreement can’t be reached, you may seek court orders for the move. However, the Court’s decision will primarily focus on the child’s best interests and welfare, and permission to relocate is not guaranteed. Moving without a court order or the other parent’s consent could lead to court orders demanding you return with the child until a resolution is reached. Violating an existing court order in this context can result in legal actions to enforce the original order
Airport Watch List Orders
In certain situations, the Court can prevent a child from being taken out of Australia by placing their name on the Airport Watch List. This power extends to both adding and removing a child’s name from the list. For detailed information on this process, refer to “Children and international travel after family separation” and consult the Australian Federal Police Family Law Kit for specific requirements for a watch list order.
Emergency Court Services
The Court offers an after-hours service for urgent situations, particularly if there’s a risk of a child being taken abroad before the next business day. Contact the courts at 1300 352 000 outside business hours to access this emergency service.
Passport and International Travel Orders
For comprehensive details on issues related to children’s travel and passport matters, visit “Relocation and travel” and “Children and international travel after family separation” sections. Also, for specific passport-related queries, please check www.passports.gov.au.