Divorce, child support & property division

Divorce, child support and property division in Australia: costs and rules

Updated 4 November 2026

A divorce application in Australia costs A$1,170, or A$390 at the reduced rate from 1 July 2026, and divorce needs 12 months of separation first. Legal fees and property disputes change the total a lot: complex property matters can run to A$100,000 or more. For a quote on your situation, describe it on BlaBlaPrice.

Child support

Child support is money one parent pays the other to help with the costs of raising the children after separation. Services Australia works out the amount by dividing the costs between the parents according to their share of combined income. For child support periods starting in 2026, the self-support amount is A$31,046 a year.

Property division

There is no formula for dividing property and finances, and no fixed average split. No one can tell you exactly what orders a court will make, so a lawyer can explain likely outcomes but cannot promise one.

Timing and parenting arrangements

Family law is set nationally, so the process is the same in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide. The season has little effect on the process, but the 12-month rule means you count months rather than seasons. Writing down summer school holiday arrangements from December to February early can prevent disputes later.

What to write in your request

Say whether you need a divorce only, child support, property division or all three. State whether the matter is agreed or contested, whether there are children, what property is involved, and where the other party lives. Add the stage of the case, whether you need to attend meetings, your city and your budget.

On BlaBlaPrice you describe the matter in your own words in a chat, and you can add documents as a photo. The AI asks for missing details and looks through sellers' websites and fee lists in Australia, then shows the prices and firms it found. Sellers registered on BlaBlaPrice receive your request and reply in the chat with their own fee and terms. Your contact details stay hidden. Start with the request field on the home page, or see Legal help.