COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE

Complete Guide to Divorce in Australia

A step-by-step walkthrough of the entire divorce process in Australia, from separation to final orders.

3-4 Months Timeline

$1,060 Court Fee

7 Key Steps

What This Guide Covers

Eligibility Requirements

Who can apply for divorce

Required Documents

Everything you need to gather

Costs & Fees

Court fees and potential savings

Timeline

How long the process takes

The 7 Steps to Divorce in Australia

Step 1: Understand the Requirements

Before you can apply for divorce in Australia, certain criteria must be met.

Eligibility Requirements:

12 months separation: You must have been separated for at least 12 months and one day
Jurisdiction: Either you or your spouse must be an Australian citizen, live in Australia and consider it home, or be ordinarily resident in Australia for 12 months before filing
Valid marriage: Your marriage must be legally recognised in Australia
Irretrievable breakdown: You must consider the marriage has broken down with no reasonable likelihood of reconciliation

Important: You can be separated while living under the same roof ("separation under one roof") if you can demonstrate the relationship has ended.

Step 2: Gather Required Documents

Collect all necessary documents before starting your application.

Step 3: Complete the Divorce Application

Fill out the Application for Divorce form accurately.

Step 4: File and Pay Court Fees

Submit your application to the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia.

Step 5: Serve Documents (Sole Applications Only)

If applying alone, you must serve the divorce application on your spouse.

Step 6: Attend Hearing (If Required)

Most divorces can be finalised without attending court.

Step 7: Divorce Order Granted

Receive your divorce order and understand when it becomes final.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Incorrect separation date

Many applications are rejected because the separation date calculation is wrong. Remember: 12 months AND one day.

Missing or incorrect marriage certificate

The marriage certificate must be the original or a certified copy from Births, Deaths and Marriages.

Incomplete children's arrangements

If you have children under 18, you must outline proper arrangements for their care.

Service not completed correctly

For sole applications, proof of service must be filed with the court before the hearing.

Ready to Start Your Divorce Application?

Splitifi guides you through every step, validates your application in real-time, and helps you avoid common mistakes that cause delays.