Section 70JFamily Law Act 1975 (Cth)

Effect of registration on exercise of jurisdiction

(1) A court in Australia that is aware that an overseas child order is registered under section 70G must not exercise jurisdiction in proceedings for the making of a Subdivision C parenting order in relation to the child concerned unless:

(a) each person:

(i) with whom the child is supposed to live; or

(ii) who is to spend time with the child; or

(iii) who is to have contact with the child; or

(iv) who has rights of custody or access in relation to the child;

under the overseas order consents to the exercise of jurisdiction by the court in the proceedings; or

(b) the court is satisfied that there are substantial grounds for believing that the child’s welfare requires that the court exercise jurisdiction in the proceedings.

(2) If a court exercises jurisdiction in proceedings for a Subdivision C parenting order in relation to a child who is the subject of an overseas child order, the court must not make a Subdivision C parenting order in relation to the child unless it is satisfied:

(a) that the welfare of the child is likely to be adversely affected if the order is not made; or

(b) that there has been such a change in the circumstances of the child since the making of the overseas child order that the Subdivision C parenting order ought to be made.

Sourced from the Federal Register of Legislation at 26 May 2026. For the latest information on Australian Government law please go to https://www.legislation.gov.au. Verify the current text against the official source before relying on it.

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