What are the rights of a father to see his child in Australia under Family Law Act 1975 is that fathers have equal rights to mothers, and law focuses on best interests of child, not gender. Australia does not have automatic maternal preference, father has right to have meaningful relationship with child and to be involved in major decisions. Under law, both parents have equal shared parental responsibility unless court orders otherwise due to family violence, abuse or neglect. This means father has right to spend time with child and communicate regularly, right to be consulted about major long-term decisions like school, health and religion, and right to apply for parenting orders if mother refuses. There is no fixed 50/50 time, court considers best interests factors including safety, child's relationship with each parent, child's views, practicality and ability to co-parent. Father can apply for parenting plan via mediation at Family Relationship Centre, which is mandatory before court, and if mediation fails, apply to Federal Circuit and Family Court for orders. If mother stops father seeing child, father can file contravention application. Father also has right to be named on birth certificate, right to child support assessment and right to attend school events and get medical information unless court orders otherwise. In cases of family violence, father's rights may be limited to supervised visits. Fathers on Centrelink still have rights. So father has equal rights to see child, but must act in child's best interests and follow court process.
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