COVID-19 Measures

The Melbourne Children’s Court is currently closed.

For information about your court case or for help to apply for an intervention order (FVIO) call Broadmeadows Children’s Court on (03) 9007 7600 or Moorabbin Children’s Court on (03) 7024 2900.

Due to the current Covid-19 restrictions in Victoria the Children’s Court is

• Hearing most cases remotely subject to the current Practice Directions.
• Requiring that all documents must be filed electronically with the relevant Children's Court registry.

Criminal Cases

If you have a criminal case in the Children’s Court, contact the relevant registry or your lawyer to find out if your case will be adjourned to another date or heard online, and to find out how to join an online hearing.

To get legal advice call Victoria Legal Aid on 9269 0108 or the Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service on 1800 064 865.

Child Protection Cases

If the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH) serves you with a child protection application they must also tell you where and how the case will be heard. Call the relevant registry for more information and to find out how to join a remote online hearing.

If you do not have a lawyer, DFFH can provide your contact details to Victoria Legal Aid who will arrange for a free lawyer. The lawyer will call you so please keep your phone on. 

You can also call Victoria Legal Aid directly on 1300 792 387. 

If you already have a child protection lawyer, try to tell them first for help.

We have dedicated court staff to help court users understand court processes. 

Our Court Support Coordinators are available by phone on: 

• Melbourne Children's Court - 0428 133 321 
• Broadmeadows Children's Court - 0456 718 527
• Moorabbin Children's Court - 0447 236 286

Measures 

All staff and judicial officers of the Court have been briefed on individual measures to reduce the risk of COVID-19 spreading.

• Masks are required by all court users unless an exemption applies.
• Hand sanitisers are available for use throughout Court buildings.
• Surfaces are cleaned and disinfected throughout the day and overnight. 
• Sneeze guards have been installed at all counters.

NO person is permitted to enter Children’s Court buildings under any circumstances if they:

• have been diagnosed with Covid-19
• have any symptoms of Covid-19
• are a close contact of a person with Covid-19
• are required to be in quarantine or isolation
• have been asked to take a Covid-19 test and have not received a negative result. 

Entry

Under the Court Security Act Notice dated 27 April 2021, only the following people may enter the Children’s Court of Victoria.

Anyone who is:

• in immediate need of the face-to-face services of the registry
• admitted by direction of a registrar or a judicial officer of the Court
• a party to a proceeding
• a legal representative of a party to a proceeding
• a support person for a party to a proceeding (one support person per party)
• a representative of the media.