Are you concerned that your partner is going to take your child overseas without your permission? As a parent, there are steps you can take to prevent this by placing your child’s name on the Watchlist.
The Family Law Watchlist is maintained by the Australian Federal Police (‘AFP’). A child that is placed on the Watchlist is prevented from leaving Australia without the permission of both parents or without an order of the court.
A child’s name may be placed on the Family Law Watchlist in the following circumstances:
- There is a court order that limits or prevents the child’s overseas travel and which also requests the AFP to place the child on the Watchlist;
- An application has been filed with the court seeking an order that limits or prevents the child’s overseas travel, and which also requests the AFP to place the child on the Watchlist; or
- An appeal has been filed with the court against an order of the court relating to the child that limits or prevents the child’s overseas travel, and that had requested the AFP to place the child on the Watchlist.
If a child’s name needs to be placed on the Watchlist, the AFP requires the following documents to be provided by way of email or fax:
- Filed application or appeal;
- Completed Family Law Watchlist Request Form; and
- 24 hour contact telephone number and email address.
To confirm whether your child’s name is on the Watchlist, a completed Family Law Watchlist Enquiry Form must be submitted to the AFP by email or fax.