In Australia, grandparents have unique legal rights to approach courts to obtain orders that allow them to spend time with their grandchildren.

What Rights Exist for Grandparents?

When it comes to family law, grandparents do have some rights. The law’s focus is on the well-being and best interests of the child. That includes a child’s right to know and have contact with both parents and others seen as significant for their care and development, including grandparents. However, it is important to note that grandparents do not have an automatic right to spend time with their grandchildren; rather they have standing to seek orders from the court.

Parents who are separating often make plans for the future care of their children informally, and will agree on where their children will live. Some may draw up a written parenting plan setting out their arrangements for caring for children. Alternatively, they can register any agreement and make it an enforceable Order in the form of Consent Orders.

If you are concerned about your future contact with your grandchildren, you can ask to be included in such plans. If you can’t agree with the separating parents about your future contact with the children, you can apply to the courts for parenting orders yourself.

What Does the Court Consider?

The courts emphasise the importance of children having contact with as much of their wider family as possible and growing up as part of an extended and supportive family group. Grandparents with a close ongoing relationship or who can show they are involved in the children’s welfare can also apply to the courts for parenting orders.

Twenty years ago, in a case where a grandmother had applied to be allowed to have contact with her grandson, the judge stated that “we live in troubled economic times and by way of example, in 20 years’ time, the child may have need for finance in establishing a house, in purchasing a car, in any number of areas. The more people who are loving and close to him and can help him, who feel an obligation towards him, the healthier it would be for the child.”

An order may enable you to have some visits or communicate with your grandchild, perhaps by phone or email. It will be up to the court to decide what should happen, based on what is in the child’s best interests.

Although you have a right to apply for parenting orders, this does not mean the courts will necessarily decide in your favour.

What is the Process?

The law requires that families first attend family dispute resolution or mediation before going to court. An independent person trained in helping families will lead these conferences, with the aim of helping everyone come to an agreement.

If mediation fails, you will need legal advice before going to court and a certificate from an accredited dispute resolution practitioner to show you’ve attempted alternative dispute resolution. You also need to find out how strong your case is, what forms and documents you will need to lodge with the court to support your case, what orders you should ask for, which court is better to start the case in, and the costs of taking legal action.

Even if you decide to represent yourself in court, it is important to get legal advice about how to prepare your case.

You can apply to court for your grandchildren to live or spend time with you, whether their parents are together or separated.

You may be exempt from the requirement to obtain a certificate if the matter is urgent, if the Court is satisfied there are reasonable grounds to believe there is a risk of family violence, or if there is a risk of child abuse should there be any delay in filing an application. An exemption may also apply where one or both parties are unable to participate effectively, for example, due to incapacity or geographic remoteness.

Contact Us

As you can see, the process is not a straightforward one. If you are concerned about your grandchildren’s welfare for any reason, please contact Etheringtons Family Lawyers in North Sydney (02) 9963 9800 or via our contact form. Our highly experienced family lawyers are ready to assist.