Hobart and Launceston Family Court: Where to File for Divorce in Tasmania

Tasmania has two Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (FCFCOA) registries — one in Hobart and one in Launceston. While all divorce applications are now filed online through the Commonwealth Courts Portal, you still need to select one of these registries for your application, and certain situations may require you to attend in person.

Hobart Registry

Address: Edward Braddon Commonwealth Law Courts Building, 39-41 Davey Street, Hobart TAS 7000

Phone: 1300 352 000

The Hobart registry is the larger of Tasmania's two FCFCOA locations. It serves as the primary registry for southern Tasmania and handles the majority of the state's family law matters.

Duty lawyers from Legal Aid Tasmania are available on the 1st Floor during court sitting days. They provide free, brief advice on procedural questions — useful if you need guidance on your application but do not have a lawyer.

Launceston Registry

Address: Henty House, Level 1, 1 Civic Square, Launceston TAS 7250

Phone: 1300 352 000

The Launceston registry serves northern Tasmania. It handles the same range of family law matters as Hobart but has fewer sitting days, which can affect hearing scheduling.

Which Registry to Choose

When completing Part F of your divorce application on the Commonwealth Courts Portal, you select your preferred registry. This is a practical choice based on geography, not a legal one — both registries apply identical federal law under the Family Law Act 1975.

Choose the registry closest to where you live. If you are in the north-west of the state, the court sometimes schedules circuit sittings in Burnie, but your application still runs through either Hobart or Launceston.

If both parties live in different parts of the state (for example, one in Hobart and one in Launceston), either registry works. For sole applications, choose the registry closest to the applicant — you are the one who may need to attend if the registrar requests it.

Do You Need to Visit in Person?

For most divorce applications in 2026, the answer is no. The 2024 Family Law amendments (effective 10 June 2025) largely eliminated the requirement for physical or electronic court attendance. The registrar reviews applications in chambers — meaning on paper, without a hearing.

You may need to attend (physically or via Microsoft Teams) if:

• The registrar identifies inconsistencies in your application
• Child welfare or safety concerns are flagged
• One party has formally requested a hearing
• Your application is contested on factual grounds (such as a disputed separation date)

If attendance is required, dress neatly and address the judicial registrar formally. Hearings are typically brief — the registrar asks specific questions about the issues they have flagged, not a full trial.

What Registry Staff Can and Cannot Do

Registry staff can answer general procedural questions: where to find forms, how the portal works, what the current fee schedule is. They cannot help you complete your application, advise you on legal strategy, or review your documents for errors. This is a legal limitation, not unhelpfulness.

For application assistance, contact Legal Aid Tasmania (1300 366 611), the Women's Legal Service Tasmania (1800 682 468), or the Hobart Community Legal Service (6223 2500). The Launceston Community Legal Centre (1800 066 019) covers northern Tasmania.

The Tasmania Divorce Filing Process Guide fills the practical gap between what registry staff can offer and what a lawyer provides — step-by-step portal navigation, document assembly checklists, and affidavit frameworks for self-represented filers.

See more Tasmania guides →