Andrew Macintosh is a Panel Family Consultant appointed to the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia, and undertakes independent Family Report work in matters concerning parenting arrangements and child welfare. Reports are accepted on allocation through the Court Children’s Service and on direct instruction from the Court, Independent Children’s Lawyers, or lawyers for parties.
What a Family Report is
Family Reports are independent assessments prepared to assist the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia in determining parenting arrangements in the best interests of children.
The Court orders Family Reports under section 62G of the Family Law Act 1975. Reports may be prepared by Court Child Experts (in-house practitioners employed by the Court Children’s Service) or by Panel Family Consultants, who are external practitioners appointed by the Court under Regulation 40 of the Family Law Regulations 1984. Andrew Macintosh was appointed as a Panel Family Consultant on 13 June 2025.
Nature of the role
Family Report work is independent and evaluative. The role includes:
- meeting with parents, children, and other significant family members as instructed
- gathering and considering relevant information, including documents filed in the proceedings
- observing interactions between parents and children where appropriate
- assessing matters relevant to children’s care, welfare, and development
- preparing an independent written report for the Court
The Family Consultant does not act as a counsellor, advocate, or legal adviser to any party.
Instruction pathways
Family Report work undertaken by Evertrack Family Practice may be:
- allocated through the Court Children’s Service of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia
- instructed directly by the Court
- instructed directly by Independent Children’s Lawyers
- instructed directly by lawyers for parties
All Family Reports are prepared pursuant to court order. Scope, timing, and arrangements differ between court-allocated and directly instructed work, and are confirmed at intake.
For instruction enquiries, see Contact and intake.
Professional framework
All Family Report work is undertaken with regard to:
- independence and neutrality
- child-focused assessment
- procedural fairness
- clear differentiation between information, observation, and professional opinion
- compliance with court orders and reporting requirements
Role boundaries
Family Report work is distinct from all other services provided by Evertrack Family Practice. To maintain independence and the integrity of court processes:
- ongoing services are not provided to families following completion of a report
- matters that would create a conflict of interest are not accepted
- parenting coordination and other services are not provided concurrently or sequentially within the same matter
Enquiries
Enquiries about Family Report work may be directed through Contact and intake. Each matter is subject to initial discussion to confirm scope, suitability, and arrangements.