Changes to independent children's lawyer fees – meeting with child

Effective 27 July 2026, changes have been made to the initial stage 1A broadband grant for independent children's lawyers (ICLs).

The changes are:

1. including two meeting with the child(ren) fees in the initial stage 1A broadband grant
2. adding two distance allowances in the initial stage 1A broadband grant.

Meeting with the child fees added to initial broadband grant

ICLs have been required to meet with children over five years old since the amendments to the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth) on 6 May 2024, and we know this has resulted in many ICLs meeting children earlier and more often.

When the initial meeting with the child fee commenced on 1 January 2025, it required a separate extension to be claimed. We recognise that this does not reflect the way many ICLs are managing their matters, and that it added an additional administrative step having to apply for that fee separately.

Two meeting with the child(ren) fees have been added into the initial broadband grant to reflect the work we know is being undertaken by ICLs. Extensions for further meetings are still available.

Two additional distance allowances

There are currently three distance allowances in the initial broadband grant for court events that occur more than 50 kilometres from the ICL’s office and require the ICL to travel. An additional two distance allowances have been added to the initial broadband grant to cover any meetings with child(ren) that occur more than 50 kilometres from the ICL’s office and require the ICL to travel.

Changes to the Handbook for Lawyers

The changes outlined above have not resulted in any Guideline changes.

Changes have been made to Section 23 – Costs payable in Commonwealth family law and child support matters at 4.2 (Independent children’s lawyer professional costs) at Stage 1 – first court hearing and Family Dispute Resolution Service for ICLs.

Invoices for existing grants of aid

Stage 1A invoices that already exist in ATLAS (prior to 27 July 2026) will not include the meet with child(ren) fees, and an extension for a Stage 1E grant will need be submitted.

All Stage 1A invoices created from 27 July 2026 will include two meet with child(ren) fees and the additional distance allowances.

Contact

Please contact our practitioner support officers at grantstraining@vla.vic.gov.au if you have any queries or require more information.