Moving with children
This webpage has information about moving with children after separation. A parent may wish to move with their child to a different suburb, town, state or country.
When a parent wants to move with their child a long way from where they usually live, this is known in family law as a 'relocation decision'.
In most cases if a parent wants to move away with their child, the other parent will need to agree to the move, or they will need to get permission from the Family Court. This is because moving with a child can have a big impact on them being able to have a meaningful relationship with both parents and other significant people in their lives such as grandparents.
Quick Answers Video: Moving with children
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Do I have to talk to my ex-partner about my plans to move?
If the move would make it hard for the other parent to spend time with your child and be involved in their life you will generally need to speak to the other parent about your plans and try to reach an agreement.
If there has been family violence or abuse and you do not feel safe talking to the other parent, you should get legal advice about situation before trying to talk to the other parent.
What could happen if I move away with our child without asking my ex-partner?
If you move away with your child without the proper permissions, the other parent may be able to get a recovery order from the Family Court of WA for your child to be brought back to where they normally live.
This is the case even if there has never been a Family Court case about your child before or there are no orders about your child in place.
What if there is an order for joint (or equal shared parental) responsibility?
If there are orders about your child that say you and your ex-partner (or another person) have equal shared parental responsibility you must talk to them and agree before you can legally move.
This is because an order for joint (or equal shared) parental responsibility requires parents to talk to each other and agree about major long-term issues, and the Family Court considers moving a child away from where they usually live to be a major long-term issue.
What if I have an order for sole parental responsibility?
If you have parenting orders and they give you sole parental responsibility for your children, then the other parent will not usually have to agree to the move.
However, if you move you must still be able to follow the parenting orders. For example, if the orders say that the children are to spend every second weekend with the other parent, then moving a long distance away with them will not be possible if you cannot ensure the children continue to see their other parent every second weekend.
Do I need to do anything before asking the Family Court for permission to move?
In most cases, before you can ask the Family Court for permission to move, you need to try and work things out with the other parent (or other caregiver) by attending Family Dispute Resolution.
How does the Family Court decide whether a parent can move with a child?
The Family Court’s main concern when deciding all cases about children, including cases where a parent wants to move with a child, is what arrangements will be in the children’s best interests.
What if I'm worried my ex-partner will move away with our child?
If you are worried that your ex-partner or another caregiver may move away soon with your child, you should get urgent legal advice. You may need to make an urgent application to the Family Court of WA to ask for orders to restrain your ex-partner from taking your child away from where they usually live. This type of order is called an 'injunction'.
What if my ex-partner has already moved away with our child?
If your ex-partner has already moved away with your child, you should get urgent legal advice. You may need to make an application to the Family Court of WA for a recovery order.
Reviewed: 25 March 2025
