Children's Court of Victoria guide

What the Children's Court of Victoria hears, how matters start, filing, fees pointers, hearings and appeals, with links to official sources. Court Co-Pilot is not a law firm and does not give legal advice.

What it hears

The Family Division hears applications about the protection and care of children and young people at risk, and intervention order applications. The Criminal Division hears matters about criminal offending by children and young people. The Koori Court sits within the Criminal Division for Koori children and young people, other than for sexual offences.

How to start

How a matter starts depends on its type. The court publishes separate forms for child protection, support and engagement orders, intervention orders, and criminal matters, and practice directions for each type.

Filing

Some general forms for child protection matters are submitted through the court's CMS Portal, and the court publishes guidelines for those submissions. The court's registry can be reached on (03) 8638 3300, 9am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday.

Fees

The court pages checked for this guide do not set out a filing fee schedule. The registry can confirm whether a fee applies to a particular form.

Hearings

The court publishes guidance on what happens at court and on conduct and etiquette in courtrooms and online hearings.

Appeals

Criminal: a conviction or sentencing order made by a magistrate can be appealed to the County Court, and one made by the President to the Supreme Court. The court says these appeals are lodged within 30 days of the order, and a later appeal needs leave. Appeals on a question of law go to the Supreme Court.

Family: the court's page describes appeals to the Supreme Court on interim accommodation orders and on a question of law from final orders. The County Court also says it hears appeals from the Family Division. A judicial registrar's decision can be reviewed within 14 days.

Official sources

• About the court: Divisions and jurisdiction.
• Court forms: Forms by type of matter.
• Attending the Children's Court: What happens at court.
• Court conduct and etiquette: Conduct in court and online.
• Criminal Division appeals: Appeal routes and time limit.
• Family Division appeals: Appeals and judicial registrar reviews.
• Children, Youth and Families Act 2005: The court's governing Act.

Sources, checked 2026-11-01.