New facility gives migration litigants local access to in-person court services and support
The Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (FCFCOA) has opened a purpose-built migration hub at its Parramatta Registry to improve access to justice for people involved in migration proceedings across Western Sydney.
Attorney-General Michelle Rowland, FCFCOA chief justice William Alstergren and representatives from local legal services, culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) organisations, and community service providers attended the official opening.
The court said the hub strengthens its efforts to improve accessibility for court users, particularly people from CALD communities who may face barriers when navigating legal processes.
People involved in migration proceedings in Western Sydney can now file matters in person and access dedicated migration support services closer to where they live and work. Cultural liaison officers and migration client service officers will provide practical assistance to help litigants understand court procedures and navigate the migration jurisdiction.
The new hub includes in-person filing facilities for migration cases, hearing spaces for judicial registrars to conduct court events, dedicated meeting rooms for cultural liaison officers, and access to migration client service officers.
The court also highlighted several access to justice initiatives operating across the FCFCOA system. These initiatives include the ReadSpeaker instant translation service, cultural and indigenous family liaison officers, translated family law and migration videos, translated written materials, an interpreter practice direction, the Court Dog Program, and the Safe Room Enhancement Project.
Chief justice Alstergren said the hub demonstrates the court’s commitment to reducing barriers to participation in the legal system. “The new hub brings key services directly into the community. This investment reflects the court’s ongoing commitment to improving access to justice and reducing barriers to participation in the legal system,” the chief justice said in a statement.
Rowland said the Albanese government remains committed to ensuring equitable access to justice for all Australians, regardless of their circumstances.
She said the new migration hub would reduce barriers to justice and make a meaningful difference for communities in Western Sydney and beyond. She also said the government would continue working with the FCFCOA to improve access to justice and remove barriers for vulnerable court users.
The Commonwealth government funded the Parramatta Migration Hub through its 2024–25 budget. In the 2025–26 budget, the government committed a further $34.2m over three years to increase capacity in the court’s migration jurisdiction and support vulnerable applicants.
The Parramatta facility forms part of a broader program of migration service improvements, including new migration facilities in Melbourne scheduled to open later in 2026.
