Subpoenas

You can subpoena the department to provide documents for legitimate legal purposes.
You can subpoena the department to provide documents for legitimate legal purposes.
On this page

A subpoena is a legal document that orders the recipient to:

  • appear in court to give evidence 

And or

  • produce documents or other material that they have to the court.

A subpoena can also be called a ‘witness summons’ or ‘summons’.

How to serve a subpoena

You cannot serve a subpoena by attending the office of the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing.

Child protection documents subpoena

To serve a subpoena for child protection documents, email childprotectionsubpoenaunit@dffh.vic.gov.au.

You must do this on the day the subpoena and accompanying documentation are filed in court.

Post the conduct money and the documentation to:

The Proper Officer
Child Protection Subpoena Unit
Department of Families, Fairness and Housing
GPO Box 4672
Melbourne VIC 3001

The Child Protection Subpoena Unit processes subpoenas for child protection documents. You can contact the unit by:

Child protection practitioner subpoena

To summon a child protection worker to court, address the subpoena to the worker and serve it directly to them.

How to write a subpoena for child protection documents

Learn what to ask for to subpoena child protection documents.

Fees and timeframes for subpoenas

Learn how much time you need to give us to produce the documents in your subpoena and the fees (conduct money) we charge for this service.

Serving a subpoena for other records this department may hold

The Unit only produces child protection material. 
If you are seeking other records, please contact the relevant business unit, as we will not be able to assist.  

Disability Records

The Disability Reform and Complex Needs Branch within the Disability, Communities and Emergency Management Division (DCEM) is responsible for the management of subpoenas for documentation relating to disability services provided and/or funded by the department.  This includes disability services which the department was responsible for prior to their transition to the National Disability Insurance Scheme. 
Please contact drcn@dffh.vic.gov.au for disability subpoena matters.

Family Safety Victoria (FSV) Records, including The Orange Door

Please refer to Family Safety Victoria website for the subpoena instructions.

Housing Records

Please email queries to housingbusiness.operations@dffh.vic.gov.au.

Human Resources/Payroll/Personnel records

Please email queries to hrservices@dffh.vic.gov.au.

Health Records

Please contact the relevant hospital or medical provider in the first instance. The Department of Health may also be able to assist. These records are not held by Department of Families, Fairness and Housing.