The International Child Abduction Respondents Scheme (ICARS) may provide funding to an individual who is responding to a 1980 Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction application seeking the return of a child under the Family Law in an Australian court.

You may be eligible for ICARS if you are:

• defending or proposing to defend an application filed in an Australian court under the Regulations seeking a return order for a child (or children)
• appealing or proposing to appeal a return order made by an Australian court under the Regulations
• responding to or proposing to respond to an appeal against a non-return decision made by an Australian court under the Regulations.

ICARS applications can be made for proceedings filed under the Regulations on or after 1 January 2024.

You will also have to demonstrate you satisfy certain assessment critera. The application form will ask you to provide information about:

• whether funding the legal action would cause you financial hardship
• your criminal history
• the nature of the legal action and its potential impact.

• Email: finass@ag.gov.au