Video chapters
Quick answer
You do not register a separation, but you should record the date, deal with immediate safety, stabilise arrangements for children and housing, secure access to your own information, copy financial records and get advice before moving money or signing a settlement.
What to do
- Safety — Plan for immediate safety, housing and essential documents
- Children — Record practical, child-focused interim arrangements
- Money — Copy balances, debts, tax and super records
- Advice — Map deadlines before moving assets or signing anything
Transcript
You have just separated and everything feels urgent. Australian law does not require a form to make separation official. Record the date, tell a trusted person, and focus first on safety, children, housing and access to information. The goal is stability, not winning the first forty-eight hours.
If anyone is unsafe, contact police or a specialist service and get advice about a protection order. For children, propose practical temporary arrangements in writing: where they sleep, school, medication and handovers. Do not assume divorce, property and parenting are one case; they are separate legal questions.
Download current bank, mortgage, credit-card, tax, business and superannuation records. Photograph valuable property and record liabilities. Secure your own email, phone and identity documents. Avoid draining joint accounts, hiding assets or making unusual transfers without advice. Tell Services Australia about relevant changes and consider child support and income-support options.
Divorce usually requires twelve months and one day of separation. Property applications generally have different deadlines: within twelve months after divorce takes effect for married couples, and two years after separation for de facto couples. Do not wait for divorce before dealing with urgent property or parenting issues.
A short early advice session should identify safety issues, urgent applications, the documents to preserve and the next deadline. Go To Court can provide free general information at any hour and arrange a family-law consultation where a suitable lawyer is available. The contact details are on your screen.
Sources and further help
Sources checked 3 September 2026.
- Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia — Separation overview
- Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia — Property and finances when you cannot agree
- Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia — How to apply for divorce
- Family Violence Law Help — National help directory
- Go To Court Lawyers — Urgent legal help
Important
This video provides general information about family law in Australia. It is not legal advice and does not take account of your circumstances. Parenting decisions turn on the child's best interests and safety; property outcomes turn on the evidence and circumstances. Laws and court processes can change. Get advice from a qualified lawyer about your situation.