(1) The Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2) may, by order, refer proceedings in the Court, or any part of them or any matter arising out of them, to an arbitrator for arbitration in accordance with the Rules of Court.
(2) Subsection (1) has effect subject to the Rules of Court.
(3) Referrals under subsection (1) to an arbitrator may be made only with the consent of the parties.
(4) The Rules of Court may make provision for the registration of awards made in an arbitration carried out under an order made under subsection (1).
(5) An arbitrator has, in arbitrating anything referred under subsection (1), the same protection and immunity as a Judge of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2) has in performing the functions of a Judge.