The Family Court of Western Australia was established in 1976 as a State court under the Family Court Act 1975.

The court is presided over by judges, magistrates and registrars. It is vested with State and Federal jurisdiction in matters of family law and deals with divorce, property of a marriage or defacto relationship, matters relating to children, maintenance and adoptions.

The Department of the Attorney General (WA) provides administrative and logistical support for the operation of this court, which is federally funded.

Judicial officers

• Five judges
• One principal registrar/magistrate
• Seven family law magistrates
• Two registrars

• One executive manager
• Forty six registry staff
• Twenty six judicial support officers

• One director, counselling  and consultancy service
• One manager, counselling and consultancy service
• Sixteen family consultants

The principal registry is located at 150 Terrace Road, Perth, Western Australia.

The court sits in Perth, but country circuits are conducted at specified regional centres at Albany, Broome, Bunbury, Geraldton, Kalgoorlie, Karratha and South Hedland.

Local magistrates have limited jurisdiction in country locations, dealing mainly with enforcement matters and interim applications.