1) Australia is a Party to the 1980 Hague Convention.

The 1980 Hague Convention: a multilateral treaty which provides procedural guidelines on the return of children and their protection in cases of international parental child abduction.

Contact the Central Authority established in Australia for cases of child abduction. The Central Authority should be the first point of contact despite regional contact information provided on the link. The Central Authority will transmit your application to these regional agencies.

2) Australia is a Party to the 1996 Hague Convention.

The 1996 Hague Convention: a multilateral treaty which determines jurisdiction, applicable law, co-operation in respect of parental responsibility and access rights, as well as civil and public measures for the protection or care of children. 

Contact the Central Authority established in Australia for cases of dispute concerning cross-border parental responsibilities and rights of contact with children. The Central Authority should be the first point of contact despite regional contact information provided on the link. The Central Authority will transmit your application to these regional agencies.

You can determine whether countries relevant to your case are Parties, or not, to the 1980 Hague Convention on International Child Abduction and/or the 1996 Hague Convention on Child Protection in order to locate the appropriate central authority. As for the 1980 Hague Convention, you can check whether the Convention is in force between two specific States in the Spreadsheet showing acceptances of accessions to the Child Abduction Convention.

International Social Service Australia (ISS Australia) offers services to parents and families affected by International Parental Child Abduction and other cross-border disputes concerning children. ISS Australia focuses on the child’s interests and respects the privacy and confidentiality of both adults and children.

Family Relationship Centres provide informational and confidential assistance to families who volunteer to participate in dispute resolution (mediation), enabling separating families to achieve workable parenting arrangements outside the court system. These Centres exist in each State and are government-funded, offering subsidised services based on clients’ income levels. 

Relationships Australia is a community-based, not-for-profit Australian organisation which provides relationship support services for individuals, families and communities. It offers services around the country that include counselling, family dispute resolution (mediation) and a range of family and community support and education programmes. Please find your nearest Relationships Australia Centre.

There are multiple services in each Australian state to support families, children and migrants. In order to find services specific to your location in Australia, please find your town in the Humanitarian and Settlement Services Locator.

The Department of Human Services delivers social and health-related payments and services (including the administration of child support payments). You can find your appropriate payment and necessary service through the Payment and Service Finder.

Stepfamilies Australia has trained counsellors providing confidential services sensitive to the unique issues faced by stepfamilies. You can contact them directly here.

Home-Start Australia is a non-profit organisation providing home-visiting and practical assistance to young families experiencing difficulties. Its volunteers offer free-of-charge and confidential support to parents. There are currently 19 funded Home-Start schemes in Australia. You can find their contact details directly here.

The Attorney-General's Department assists parents or guardians whose children are being retained in another country by another person without their consent. Applications can be made to the department for grants to cover overseas legal costs for the return of children to Australia.

MyTime groups provide support for mothers, fathers, grandparents and anyone caring for the child with a disability or chronic medical condition. Please find your nearest groups here.

There are multiple services in each Australian state to support families, children and migrants. In order to find one or multiple services specific to your location in Australia, please find your town in the Humanitarian and Settlement Services Locator.

The Department of Human Services delivers child care fee assistance, family tax benefits, parenting payments, educations payments and health care-related assistance. You can find your appropriate payment and necessary service through the Payment and Service Finder.

The Department of Human Services delivers crisis payments, provides language services and multicultural service officers who assist in linking individuals with Australian Government Services. The Department also delivers social and health-related payments and services for visa holders. You can find your appropriate payment and necessary service through the Payment and Service Finder.

There are multiple services in each Australian state to support families, children and migrants. In order to find services specific to your location in Australia, please find your town in the Humanitarian and Settlement Services Locator.

Centacare Migrant Services (CMS) provides settlement case management, employment services, community education and development, youth work and advocacy services for eligible individuals, families and migrant communities in Cairns and surrounding regions.

Ethnic Community Services Co-operative delivers bicultural support in the New South Wales State through language and cultural assistance and through the provision of information about relevant community resources to support the inclusion of culturally diverse children and families. You can contact the Co-operative here.