It will take about two months from the time you file your application for it to be heard by the court. If the other party is overseas, the time is a few weeks longer. The hearing itself lasts only a few minutes and is usually heard by a Registrar of the Family Court or a Federal Court Magistrate.
As the Court is open to the public, you can observe how other cases are dealt with before your case. Friends can come with you into court.
Although the court is "open", you cannot publicise what happens in the court in a way which will identify the parties. See our Client Notes for more details regarding publication.
