Family Law Mediation
Australian Mediation provides accredited family law mediation, including Parenting Mediation and Property Mediation, for separated couples and families across Australia. Our experienced Family Dispute Resolution Practitioners, also known as Family Law Mediators, help parties work through parenting, financial and property disputes in a calm, practical and confidential setting.
Our mediation services are available Australia-wide by phone or video, so you do not need to sit in the same room as your former partner. You can mediate from your home, office or wherever you feel most comfortable.
Mediation can help you avoid the stress, delay and expense of a drawn-out court process. Book your Intake & Assessment session today and take the first step toward getting things sorted.
Do I have to mediate?
When separated parties cannot agree on parenting and/or property matters, they are generally expected to make a genuine effort to resolve the dispute before applying to court. This often involves attending mediation with an accredited Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner (FDRP), also known as a Mediator.
A s60I certificate may be issued in parenting matters where mediation is attempted but no agreement is reached, where one party refuses to attend (for whatever reason), where a genuine effort is not made, or where mediation is assessed as unsuitable.
What if my ex-partner refuses to mediate?
If your former partner refuses to participate in mediation, a s60I certificate may be issued where appropriate. This certificate can show the court that you attempted to resolve the parenting dispute through a formal Family Dispute Resolution process before seeking parenting orders. In some cases, a certificate may be issued within 24 hours of the initial assessment, and it is at the FDRPs discretion if the other party is advised or not.
How does mediation work?
At Australian Mediation the process begins with each party completing an individual Intake & Assessment phone session. Once the first party has completed their session, and the Mediator assesses the matter as suitable for mediation, out team will contact the other party and invite them to participate. They will usually have 1 - 2 weeks to confirm whether they agree to mediate, and to complete their individual Intake & Assessment session.
If both parties complete their Intake & Assessment session, and the Mediator determines it is appropriate to continue, we can then schedule a joint parenting mediation, property mediation, or combined parenting and property mediation session.
Family Law Mediation: FREE 15min Consultation
For all Parenting & Property Mediation enquiries, contact Australian Mediation on 1300 90 81 70, call or text 0419 531 269, email office@australianmediation.com.au, or use the LiveChat feature on this webpage.
Why choose Australian Mediation?
Australian Mediation helps separated families resolve parenting and property disputes quickly, confidentially and cost-effectively.
Your first step is an Intake & Assessment session with an accredited Mediator, usually available within 2–4 business days of your initial enquiry. By comparison, government-subsidised mediation services often have waitlists of 3–5 months.
Our Parenting and Property Mediation services can help you:
- resolve parenting and property matters in one mediation process;
- save time, stress and legal costs;
- mediate by phone or video without sitting face-to-face with your former partner;
- avoid direct contact if needed, with the Mediator speaking separately with each party; and
- obtain s60I certificates and s66H certificates where appropriate.
Our accredited Family Dispute Resolution Practitioners are registered through the Attorney-General’s Department and can issue s60I / 66H certificates required in some family law matters before court proceedings.
We encourage clients to seek legal and financial advice before, during and after mediation. However, your lawyer does not need to attend mediation unless you choose.
What can I mediate about?
Most issues involving parenting arrangements and property settlement may be suitable for mediation. Each party can list agenda items, and our experienced Mediators will assist in working toward practical parenting and property agreements.
Common parenting mediation topics include:
- choice of school;
- extracurricular activities;
- time spent with each parent;
- communication between parents;
- healthcare decisions;
- choice of surname;
- parental relocation;
- re-partnering arrangements;
- cultural or religious matters; and
- interstate or international travel, including passport disputes.
What is the purpose of mediation?
The aim of mediation is to help parties reach practical agreement without going to court. Depending on the issues discussed, the outcome may include a Record of Parenting Agreement and/or a Record of Property Agreement.
This document records the agreements reached during mediation. It does not include everything discussed during the mediation session. You may choose to provide the agreement to your lawyer, who can advise you about formalising it into legally binding documents, where appropriate.
How can Australian Mediation help?
Australian Mediation offers private, confidential and accredited parenting and property mediation services across Australia. Our practitioners are accredited through the Federal Attorney-General’s Department and can issue s60I certificates in appropriate parenting matters.
Please see our Parenting Mediation and Property Mediation brochures below for more information about the process, fees, frequently asked questions and next steps.
How much does Parenting & Property Mediation cost?
View our current parenting and property mediation pricing information to understand our fees and how to get started.
Resolving family law disputes through mediation can save significant time, stress and legal costs by helping you avoid lengthy court proceedings. Australian Mediation can often complete the mediation process within 2–4 weeks, provided both parties are available and willing to participate.
Family lawyers commonly charge between $400 and $700 per hour, and each party usually requires independent legal advice. The more issues you resolve through mediation, the more you may save in legal expenses.
For a full breakdown of our fees, please click here to view our Parenting & Property Mediation pricing information.
Does Australian Mediation assist with property or financial matters following separation?
Yes. Australian Mediation helps separated couples resolve property and financial disputes in a confidential, structured and cost-effective setting.
A comprehensive property mediation process may include:
- identifying the assets, liabilities and financial resources in the property pool;
- considering financial, non-financial, homemaking and caregiving contributions;
- discussing each party’s needs and future circumstances; and
- helping parties negotiate a fair and practical division of assets and liabilities.
If agreement is reached, the Mediator will prepare a Record of Property Agreement. This document can be provided to your lawyer, who can assist with formalising the agreement through the appropriate family law process.
How soon can I get started?
The longest you might wait for an Intake & Assessment session is normally 2 - 4 business days. This is your first formal step in taking control of your family situation so that all involved can move on. Please note: We are not able to contact and invite the other party to the Mediation process until one party has completed their Intake session, and the Mediator advises it is appropriate to continue.
Appointment times:
Australian Mediation offers phone and video appointments from 6.30am weekdays. To enquire or book call 1300 90 81 70, text message 0419 531 269, email office@australianmediation.com.au or use the online chat feature at the bottom right of this webpage.
Got a question or three?
If you are not sure where to start, contact our Office today and confidentially talk through your situation. There is no pressure to book, and we are happy to provide information (not advice) where possible.
Call 1300 90 81 70, text message 0419 531 269, email office@australianmediation.com.au, or use the online chat feature on this page to speak with someone now.
There’s no obligation to make a booking. We’re happy to answer your questions, even if you’re simply researching your options or comparing different mediation providers.
Contact Us Today
Phone
+1300 90 81 70
Mobile: 0419 531 269 (text or call)
LiveChat: If you have any questions about our services and don't have time to ring or email, feel free to use the online chat function (bottom right of this page).
Reception Opening Hours
Mon-Fri: 7.30 am – 8.00 pm. Last-minute sessions available for urgent matters. Text message 0419 531 269 for the fastest response.