The Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia runs two very different kinds of list. Family law matters are heard in Division 1 and Division 2, and their lists cannot be republished. General federal law matters are heard in Division 2, the court that was known until September 2021 as the Federal Circuit Court of Australia, and their daily lists are public. This page carries only that general federal law list: migration reviews, bankruptcy, workplace claims, consumer disputes and the other federal civil matters heard by Division 2 judges and registrars in each capital city registry.
What the general federal law list covers
Division 2 hears most first instance federal civil work below the level of the Federal Court. Migration is by far the largest share. Most days the Sydney and Melbourne lists are dominated by judicial review applications against the Minister for Immigration, often listed in long blocks before a registrar for a first court date. The rest of the list is made up of:
- Bankruptcy, including creditors' petitions brought by the Deputy Commissioner of Taxation and other creditors, and applications to set aside bankruptcy notices
- Fair Work and employment claims, such as unfair dismissal related general protections claims, underpayment and sham contracting cases
- Consumer law and small business disputes under the Australian Consumer Law
- Unlawful discrimination, privacy and some intellectual property matters
- Administrative law and other claims arising under federal legislation, including strata and debt matters that are filed in Division 2
Family law matters such as parenting, property and divorce applications never appear on this page. Part XIVB of the Family Law Act 1975 restricts publishing anything that could identify a party, witness or child in family law proceedings, and that rule is applied here without exception.
How to read a matter on the list
Each registry list is grouped by the judge or registrar hearing the matters, with the courtroom or video link shown under that name. Within each group, matters run in time order. A typical row has three parts.
The file number
General federal law file numbers start with a two letter registry code followed by the letter G, then the matter number and the year it was filed. SYG750/2024 is a Sydney file from 2024, MLG3132/2025 is a Melbourne file, and you will also see BRG for Brisbane, ADG for Adelaide, PEG for Perth and DNG for Darwin. A file filed in one city can be heard by a judge sitting in another, so a Melbourne file number on the Sydney list is normal.
The parties
Matters are written as applicant v respondent. In migration cases you will often see a short code such as EMV21 or CQX26 in place of the applicant's name. These are pseudonyms the Court gives to protection visa applicants, because the Migration Act limits publication of their names. The last two digits match the filing year, so look for the code on your court documents rather than your own name.
The hearing type and time
Common hearing types include First Court Date, Directions, Hearing, Hearing of Interlocutory Application, Mediation and Judgment. Times are local to the registry. A matter shown as by videoconference or by web conference is heard online, and the judge's chambers can send the link.
Registries and where matters are heard
There are eight general federal law registry lists, one for each capital city. Several sit in the Commonwealth Law Courts buildings shared with the Federal Court.
- Sydney: Terrace Tower, Levels 8, 9, 10 and 13, 80 William Street, Woolloomooloo, and the Garfield Barwick Commonwealth Law Courts Building, 1-3 George Street, Parramatta
- Melbourne: Owen Dixon Commonwealth Law Courts Building, 305 William Street
- Brisbane: Harry Gibbs Commonwealth Law Courts Building, 119 North Quay
- Adelaide: 3 Angas Street
- Perth: Commonwealth Law Courts, 1 Victoria Avenue
- Hobart: Edward Braddon Commonwealth Law Courts Building, 39-41 Davey Street
- Canberra: Nigel Bowen Commonwealth Law Courts, corner of University Avenue and Childers Street
- Darwin: Level 2, Supreme Court Building, State Square
Parramatta matters appear within the Sydney list rather than on a list of their own. The smaller registries, particularly Hobart, Canberra and Darwin, often have no general federal law matters listed on a given day.
When the list appears
Each registry posts the next sitting day's list in the afternoon or evening before, and registries do not all post at the same time. A list can still change overnight or on the morning of the hearing, so check again before you leave and arrive early enough to find the courtroom. If your matter is not shown, search for it by file number on Federal Law Search through the Commonwealth Courts Portal, or call the National Enquiry Centre on 1300 720 980.
Watching a hearing
General federal law hearings are open to the public unless the judge or registrar orders otherwise. To observe an online hearing, email the presiding judge's or registrar's chambers no later than 8.30am on the morning of the hearing. Bags are screened on entry at the Commonwealth Law Courts buildings, so allow a few extra minutes.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Federal Circuit Court still called that?
No. Since 1 September 2021 it has been Division 2 of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia. Many people and documents still use the old name, and the general federal law list is the same list the Federal Circuit Court used to publish.
Why can't I find a family law matter here?
Family law lists are not republished on this site. Use the Commonwealth Courts Portal or contact the registry on 1300 720 980 to confirm a family law hearing.
Is this the same as the Federal Court list?
No. The Federal Court of Australia is a separate, higher court with its own daily list, and it hears appeals from general federal law decisions of Division 2. See the Federal Court list for those matters.
Who do I contact about an urgent application out of hours?
The Duty Registrar can be reached on 1300 352 000 for urgent after hours general federal law applications.