Ordinarily a child's name is a matter of State law and is provided for under the Births Deaths and Marriages Registration Act 1996 . Where the parents agree, a change of a child's name can be done by completion of a form at the Registry of Births Deaths and Marriages.

Where parents do not agree, either may apply to the Magistrates Court for an order changing the child's name. The Family Court does not actually make orders changing a child's name but may stipulate as a specific issues order the name by which the child is to be known, the name to be used in enrolling the child in a school etc. If there are already proceedings for parenting orders and the name is a disputed issue, it may be convenient to make this application as part of it at the same time. However, if there are no parenting issues in dispute and the only dispute is as to the child's name, the Magistrates Court is the appropriate arena.

A child of any age must consent to a change of name unless the child is unable to understand the meaning and implications of the change of name [Births Deaths and Marriages Registration Act 1996 s.26].

One parent may apply to the Registrar of Births Deaths and Marriages to change a child's name if: