About AIFS

The Australian Institute of Family Studies (the Institute) is an Australian Government statutory agency within the portfolio of the Minister for Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs.

It was established in February 1980 under the Australian Family Law Act 1975.

The Director of the Institute is a statutory appointment. Our current Director is Professor Alan Hayes. Professor Hayes has been re-appointed as Director for a further 5-year term under the provisions of the Australian Family Law Act 1975. This term will end in September 2014.

Our role is to conduct research and communicate findings that affect family wellbeing to:

• policy makers;
• service providers; and
• the broader community.