Mediators and family dispute resolution practitioners help people reach agreement without going to court.
firms
435
regions
16
AI-generated editorial image
Mediation is confidential and usually far cheaper and faster than litigation. In parenting disputes, family dispute resolution is generally required before court, and an accredited practitioner issues a certificate when it doesn't resolve the matter. Lawyers can attend with you or advise you before and after sessions.
Why mediation & dispute resolution matters
Mediation resolves disputes faster and more cheaply than court, and keeps decisions in the parties' hands rather than a judge's.
The Australian context
Family dispute resolution is generally compulsory before parenting proceedings under section 60I of the Family Law Act. Practitioners must be accredited by the Attorney-General's Department. Many courts also order mediation in civil disputes.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Brisbane City, QLD · Brisbane CBD
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(457)Google rating from 457 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Genuine Legal Family Lawyers provides legal services in Brisbane City, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Mediation & Dispute Resolution.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Augustine Heights, QLD · Ipswich
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(324)Google rating from 324 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Brookwater Legal Pty Ltd provides legal services in Augustine Heights, QLD. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Law and Wills & Estates.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Southport, QLD · Gold Coast
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(245)Google rating from 245 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Brooke Winter Solicitors provides legal services in Southport, QLD. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Drink & Drug Driving and Assault & Violent Offences.
Criminal Law+7 moreDrink & Drug Driving · Assault & Violent Offences · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Bail Applications · Family Law · Fraud & White Collar Crime · Mediation & Dispute Resolution
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Southport, QLD · Gold Coast
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(230)Google rating from 230 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Collective Family Law Group provides legal services in Southport, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Divorce & Separation and Property & Conveyancing.
Family Law+7 moreDivorce & Separation · Property & Conveyancing · Binding Financial Agreements · Parenting & Child Custody · International Family Law & Hague Abduction · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Mediation & Dispute Resolution
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Sydney, NSW · Sydney CBD
★★★★★★★★★★4.6(218)Google rating from 218 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
O’Brien Criminal and Civil Solicitors provides legal services in Sydney, NSW. Listed practice areas include Defamation, Criminal Law and Assault & Violent Offences.
Defamation+7 moreCriminal Law · Assault & Violent Offences · Coronial Inquests · Medical Negligence · Criminal Appeals · Mediation & Dispute Resolution · Fraud & White Collar CrimeNo win, no fee
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Perth, WA · Perth CBD
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(194)Google rating from 194 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Hickman Family Lawyers Perth provides legal services in Perth, WA. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Divorce & Separation and Mediation & Dispute Resolution.
Family Law+7 moreDivorce & Separation · Mediation & Dispute Resolution · Property & Conveyancing · Parenting & Child Custody · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Partner & Family Visas · Business & Commercial Law
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Herston, QLD · Brisbane CBD
★★★★★★★★★★4.7(181)Google rating from 181 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Vocare Law provides legal services in Herston, QLD. Listed practice areas include Not-for-Profit & Charity Law, Business & Commercial Law and Wills & Estates.
Not-for-Profit & Charity Law+7 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Wills & Estates · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Employment Law · Mediation & Dispute Resolution · Administrative & Government Law · Criminal Law
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Woy Woy, NSW · Central Coast
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(155)Google rating from 155 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Tonkin Drysdale Partners provides legal services in Woy Woy, NSW. Listed practice areas include Litigation & Dispute Resolution, Planning & Environment and Family Law.
Litigation & Dispute Resolution+7 morePlanning & Environment · Family Law · Property & Conveyancing · Partner & Family Visas · Wills & Estates · Mediation & Dispute Resolution · Criminal Law
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Sydney, NSW · Sydney CBD
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(154)Google rating from 154 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Nolan Family Lawyers & Mediation provides legal services in Sydney, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Mediation & Dispute Resolution and Divorce & Separation.
Family Law+7 moreMediation & Dispute Resolution · Divorce & Separation · Binding Financial Agreements · Parenting & Child Custody · Property & Conveyancing · De Facto Relationships · Intellectual Property & Trade Marks
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Bankstown, NSW · Southern Sydney
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(143)Google rating from 143 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Gramelis Attorneys provides legal services in Bankstown, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Binding Financial Agreements and Parenting & Child Custody.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Kedron, QLD · Brisbane North & Moreton Bay
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(141)Google rating from 141 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Murphy's Law Accident Lawyers provides legal services in Kedron, QLD. Listed practice areas include Medical Negligence, Insurance Law & Disputes and Personal Injury.
Medical Negligence+7 moreInsurance Law & Disputes · Personal Injury · Motor Vehicle Accidents / CTP · Property & Conveyancing · Business & Commercial Law · Mediation & Dispute Resolution · Skilled & Business Visas
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Melbourne, VIC · Melbourne CBD
★★★★★★★★★★4.4(135)Google rating from 135 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Carroll & O'Dea provides legal services in Melbourne, VIC. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Property & Conveyancing and Unfair Dismissal.
Business & Commercial Law+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Unfair Dismissal · Professional Negligence · Mediation & Dispute Resolution · Wills & Estates · Planning & Environment · Employment Law
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
East Toowoomba, QLD · Toowoomba & Darling Downs
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(121)Google rating from 121 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Kennedy Spanner Lawyers provides legal services in East Toowoomba, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Wills & Estates and Parenting & Child Custody.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Adelaide, SA · Adelaide CBD
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(120)Google rating from 120 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Belperio Connell Lawyers provides legal services in Adelaide, SA. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Law and Wills & Estates.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Adelaide, SA · Adelaide CBD
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(119)Google rating from 119 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Clark Panagakos Family Law provides legal services in Adelaide, SA. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Divorce & Separation and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Canberra, ACT · Canberra
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(112)Google rating from 112 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Parker Coles Curtis provides legal services in Canberra, ACT. Listed practice areas include Family Law, International Family Law & Hague Abduction and Divorce & Separation.
Family Law+7 moreInternational Family Law & Hague Abduction · Divorce & Separation · Parenting & Child Custody · Mediation & Dispute Resolution · Property & Conveyancing · Business & Commercial Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Melbourne, VIC · Melbourne CBD
★★★★★★★★★★4.6(107)Google rating from 107 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Resolve Conflict provides legal services in Melbourne, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Divorce & Separation and Property & Conveyancing.
Family Law+7 moreDivorce & Separation · Property & Conveyancing · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Parenting & Child Custody · Mediation & Dispute Resolution · Partner & Family Visas · Child Protection & Care Matters
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Ipswich, QLD · Ipswich
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(105)Google rating from 105 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Millwater Tyrrell Law provides legal services in Ipswich, QLD. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Property & Conveyancing and Family Law.
Business & Commercial Law+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Family Law · Wills & Estates · Criminal Law · Parenting & Child Custody · Mediation & Dispute Resolution · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Springfield Central, QLD · Ipswich
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(100)Google rating from 100 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Stanford Legal provides legal services in Springfield Central, QLD. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Law and Wills & Estates.
A practical guide to mediation & dispute resolution
What to discuss at the first meeting
Clarify whether you want advice before mediation, a lawyer to attend, or help recording an agreement afterwards. A mediator’s role and your own legal adviser’s role are different.
Ask what can be settled in the session and what further documentation is needed to give the outcome its intended effect.
How the engagement may progress
01
Explain the relationship history, current arrangements and outcome you want. Identify immediate concerns and provide every existing order or agreement.
02
Discuss negotiation and family dispute resolution. Parenting applications generally involve prior dispute resolution unless an exception applies; ask the lawyer to assess the appropriate process.
03
Ask how an agreement would be documented and implemented. Clarify who handles related transfers, finance and estate-planning work.
Fees and the scope of work
Ask for separate estimates for advice, negotiation, document preparation and court work. A fixed divorce-application fee does not necessarily cover parenting or financial disputes.
Ask for a written scope identifying the work you are authorising, the person responsible and when costs will be reviewed. If you only want advice on one step, say so before the firm begins wider work.
Dates to raise at first contact
Highlight court dates, proposed travel or relocation and any planned property sale. Ask which time limits apply to your particular issues rather than assuming there is one deadline for everything.
Questions to ask a mediation & dispute resolution adviser
What should I prepare before the session?
Who will advise me on any proposed settlement?
Will you handle parenting, property and divorce together or separately?
How will you communicate with me safely?
What would change the proposed approach or budget?
Directory guidance updated 19 September 2026. General information to help you prepare for a conversation with a professional; not advice about your individual matter. Check current requirements with the relevant authority.
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
Is what I say in mediation confidential?
Generally yes, with exceptions such as threats to safety and child abuse.
What is a section 60I certificate?
A certificate from a family dispute resolution practitioner, usually needed before filing a parenting application in court.
Do I need a lawyer to get divorced?
Not always. A simple divorce application can be filed online without one. It's worth getting advice before you apply if you have children, shared property or superannuation, because divorce starts the clock on time limits for property claims.
How long do I have to settle property after separating?
Married couples generally have 12 months from the date the divorce becomes final. De facto couples generally have two years from separation. After that you need the court's permission, which is not guaranteed.
