Family Court Fees in Queensland: 2026 Filing Costs Explained
Understanding What You Will Pay Before You File
One of the first questions separating parents in Queensland ask is how much it costs to formalise their parenting arrangements through the courts. The answer depends on which pathway you take — and fees are indexed to inflation every 1 July, so checking the current schedule before you file saves you from budgeting against outdated numbers.
All family law applications in Queensland go through the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (FCFCOA). There is no separate state family court in Queensland — unlike Western Australia, which has its own court system. Filing is done electronically through the Commonwealth Courts Portal, and fees are payable at the time of filing.
2026 Filing Fee Schedule
These fees are effective from 1 July 2026. They are indexed annually to the Consumer Price Index.
Consent Orders (Agreement Pathway)
| Application Type | Fee | Concession Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Application for Consent Orders (parenting and/or financial) | A$215 | Fee exemption available |
Consent Orders are the cheapest filing pathway because the court does not need to schedule a hearing. A Registrar reviews the proposed orders in chambers. If both parents have agreed and the arrangements meet the best-interests standard, the orders are sealed and returned — typically within four to eight weeks.
Initiating Application (Contested Pathway)
| Application Type | Fee | Concession Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Parenting OR financial — final orders only | A$455 | Fee exemption available |
| Parenting OR financial — final + interim orders | A$610 | Fee exemption available |
| Parenting AND financial — final orders only | A$740 | Fee exemption available |
| Parenting AND financial — final + interim orders | A$895 | Fee exemption available |
The fee increases when you combine parenting and financial (property/spousal maintenance) matters in a single application, and again when you seek interim orders alongside final orders. If you only need parenting orders resolved — and property is not in dispute — filing parenting-only saves hundreds.
Hearing and Event Fees
| Event | Division 2 Fee | Division 1 Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Setting down for hearing | A$820 | A$1,115 |
| Each hearing day after Day 1 | A$820 | A$1,115 |
| Issuing a subpoena | A$70 | A$70 |
Most parenting matters begin in Division 2 of the FCFCOA. Complex or high-value cases may be transferred to Division 1, which has higher event fees. Multi-day trials — common in contested custody disputes — accumulate a daily hearing fee for each day beyond the first.
Divorce Application
| Application Type | Fee | Concession Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Application for Divorce | A$1,170 | A$390 |
The divorce application fee is separate from parenting and property fees. Filing for divorce does not automatically resolve parenting or financial matters — those require separate applications.
Who Qualifies for a Fee Exemption
The FCFCOA offers fee exemptions (not just reductions) for applicants who can demonstrate financial hardship. You may qualify if you:
- Hold a Health Care Card, Pensioner Concession Card, or Commonwealth Seniors Health Card
- Have been granted legal aid for the proceedings
- Are in prison or a juvenile detention centre
- Can demonstrate that paying the fee would cause financial hardship (assessed on a case-by-case basis by the court)
To apply for an exemption, you complete a fee exemption application and provide supporting evidence. The application is processed by the registry — you do not need a separate hearing.
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The Hidden Costs Beyond Filing Fees
Filing fees are the most visible cost, but they are often the smallest part of the total expense. For parents weighing whether to pursue Consent Orders or contested proceedings, the real cost comparison looks like this:
Consent Orders (DIY): A$215 filing fee, plus the time spent drafting the proposed orders. If both parents can agree on terms — potentially with the help of a mediator — this pathway can be completed for under A$500 total.
Consent Orders (lawyer-drafted): A$215 filing fee, plus A$2,000 to A$5,500 in legal fees for a family lawyer to draft the proposed orders. The lawyer ensures the clauses are precise and court-compliant, reducing the risk of the Registrar rejecting the application.
Contested proceedings (self-represented): A$455 to A$895 in filing fees, plus A$820+ in hearing fees if the matter goes to trial. Self-represented litigants handle their own affidavits, submissions, and court appearances. The financial cost is lower, but the time investment is substantial.
Contested proceedings (with legal representation): Filing and hearing fees as above, plus A$400 to A$1,000+ per hour in legal fees. A contested parenting case that proceeds to a multi-day trial can cost A$50,000 to A$200,000 per party.
For many parents in Queensland, the practical question is not whether they can afford to file — it is whether they can resolve enough issues through mediation to qualify for the Consent Orders pathway rather than contested proceedings. Every issue resolved before filing reduces the court's workload and your costs.
The Queensland Child Custody and Parenting Plan Guide helps parents prepare structured, detailed parenting arrangements before they engage a lawyer or file with the court — reducing the drafting hours a lawyer needs to bill and improving the chances of reaching Consent Orders.
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