The Family Law Education Network (FLENA) is proud to launch a national initiative designed to better understand the experiences, challenges and opportunities facing regional and remote communities across Australia.
About the Initiative
As Australia’s largest interdisciplinary family law education and professional development network, FLENA is committed to supporting practitioners, improving professional understanding and fostering meaningful conversations that contribute to better outcomes for families and communities.
Delivered in partnership with ALA Law and JustFund, the initiative will engage directly with practitioners, professionals, community organisations and local residents throughout Australia to explore the realities of accessing legal services outside metropolitan centres — including the cost and funding barriers that so often stand in the way.
Access to justice remains one of the most significant challenges facing many regional and remote communities. Distance, workforce shortages, limited specialist services, financial constraints and geographic isolation can all impact the ability of individuals and families to access the support they need.
At the same time, regional communities are often home to innovative professionals, collaborative networks and unique solutions that deserve greater recognition and understanding.
The Regional Voices Project
At the heart of this initiative is the Regional Voices Project. Throughout the initiative, FLENA will undertake a series of conversations and interviews with:
Family lawyers navigating regional caseloads and court access.
Dispute resolution professionals working across regional catchments.
Advisers supporting families through separation and property settlement.
Professionals untangling the financial side of family transitions.
Mental health professionals supporting families through change.
Local groups closest to the people this initiative serves.
Regional employers who see the flow-on effects first-hand.
The people whose lived experience anchors every recommendation.
FLENA is travelling through regional and remote communities to listen, learn and connect. These conversations will help shape The Future of Regional Legal Services – Insights 2027.
Beginning and concluding the national journey in New South Wales, connecting regional voices with the broader conversation about access to justice.
Project Timeline
National initiative goes live.
National data collection opens.
Eight-leg journey across Australia.
Findings synthesised into themes.
National report published.
The Regional Voices Project
Insights gathered throughout the initiative will contribute to:
1
A summary of key findings, themes and recommendations emerging from communities and professionals across Australia.
2
A series of articles, interviews and digital content highlighting the experiences, perspectives and innovations shaping regional practice.
3
The initiative will help inform future FLENA education programs, conference content, workshops and professional discussions focused on improving outcomes for families and communities.
Get Involved
Share your experience of regional family law services and tell us your story in just fifteen minutes.
Take part in an interview as a practitioner, professional or community member.
Be first to know when the roadshow visits your region and when Insights launches.
Partners
As Australia’s interdisciplinary family law education and professional development network, FLENA leads the initiative — setting direction, owning the research and consultation, and publishing The Future of Regional Legal Services – Insights 2027.
ALA Law supports the initiative as a delivery partner, leading on-the-ground engagement through the Roadshow, mobile witnessing services and connection with regional practitioners and communities.
JustFund supports the initiative by focusing on the financial barriers to accessing justice. Their expertise helps ensure funding challenges are reflected throughout the consultation, interviews and the Insights 2027 report.
The Family Law Education Network (FLENA), ALA Law and JustFund acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the lands, waters and communities across Australia where this initiative is undertaken. We pay our respects to Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. We recognise the enduring connection First Nations peoples have to Country, culture and community, and acknowledge the importance of listening to and learning from the diverse voices and experiences that have shaped this land for tens of thousands of years.