Mediators and family dispute resolution practitioners help people reach agreement without going to court.
firms
435
regions
16
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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
Hobart, TAS · Hobart & South
★★★★★★★★★★3.3(4)Google rating from 4 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Mead Family Law provides legal services in Hobart, TAS. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Parenting & Child Custody and Property & Conveyancing.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Maitland, NSW · Newcastle & Hunter
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(4)Google rating from 4 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
The Family Law Co. provides legal services in Maitland, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Planning & Environment and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Bega, NSW · South Coast
★★★★★★★★★★2.3(3)Google rating from 3 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Andrew Warren Associates provides legal services in Bega, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Divorce & Separation.
Family Law+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Divorce & Separation · Mediation & Dispute Resolution · Parenting & Child Custody · Wills & Estates · Business & Commercial Law · Skilled & Business Visas
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Sunshine, VIC · Western Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★4.7(3)Google rating from 3 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Emera Family Law Sunshine provides legal services in Sunshine, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Divorce & Separation.
Family Law+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Divorce & Separation · Parenting & Child Custody · Binding Financial Agreements · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Mediation & Dispute Resolution · Partner & Family VisasFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Summer Hill, NSW · Eastern Suburbs & Inner West
★★★★★★★★★★3.7(3)Google rating from 3 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Hogg & Associates Lawyers provides legal services in Summer Hill, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Domestic Violence & AVOs.
Family Law+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Domestic Violence & AVOs · De Facto Relationships · Divorce & Separation · Family Property Settlement · Parenting & Child Custody · Mediation & Dispute ResolutionFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Chatswood, NSW · Sydney North Shore & Northern Beaches
★★★★★★★★★★3.7(3)Google rating from 3 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Orbell Family Lawyers Central Coast provides legal services in Chatswood, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Parenting & Child Custody and Divorce & Separation.
Family Law+7 moreParenting & Child Custody · Divorce & Separation · Mediation & Dispute Resolution · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Binding Financial Agreements · International Family Law & Hague Abduction · Intellectual Property & Trade Marks
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Townsville City, QLD · Townsville & North Queensland
★★★★★★★★★★4.0(3)Google rating from 3 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Rowan Pack provides legal services in Townsville City, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Parenting & Child Custody and Mediation & Dispute Resolution.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Nedlands, WA · Perth CBD
New on GoogleOnly 2 Google reviews so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Crossing Family Lawyers provides legal services in Nedlands, WA. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Mediation & Dispute Resolution and Property & Conveyancing.
Family Law+7 moreMediation & Dispute Resolution · Property & Conveyancing · Parenting & Child Custody · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Divorce & Separation · Family Property Settlement · De Facto Relationships
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Glenelg, SA · Adelaide Metro
New on GoogleOnly 2 Google reviews so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Phoenix Family Law provides legal services in Glenelg, SA. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Divorce & Separation and Mediation & Dispute Resolution.
Family Law+2 moreDivorce & Separation · Mediation & Dispute ResolutionFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Byron Bay, NSW · Northern Rivers
New on GoogleOnly 2 Google reviews so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Richardson Murray provides legal services in Byron Bay, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Divorce & Separation and Mediation & Dispute Resolution.
Family Law+7 moreDivorce & Separation · Mediation & Dispute Resolution · Parenting & Child Custody · Domestic Violence & AVOs · International Family Law & Hague Abduction · Property & Conveyancing · Partner & Family Visas
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Tuggerah, NSW · Central Coast
New on GoogleOnly 2 Google reviews so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Strive Family Law and Mediations provides legal services in Tuggerah, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Mediation & Dispute Resolution and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Family Law+5 moreMediation & Dispute Resolution · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Property & Conveyancing · Divorce & Separation · Parenting & Child CustodyFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Bondi Junction, NSW · Eastern Suburbs & Inner West
New on GoogleOnly 1 Google review so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Boyd provides legal services in Bondi Junction, NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Property & Conveyancing and Mediation & Dispute Resolution.
Wills & Estates+4 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Mediation & Dispute Resolution · Probate & Estate Administration · Notary Public & JP ServicesFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Maroochydore, QLD · Sunshine Coast
New on GoogleOnly 1 Google review so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Brooke Winter Solicitors provides legal services in Maroochydore, QLD. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Drink & Drug Driving and Assault & Violent Offences.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Glen Waverley, VIC · Eastern Melbourne
New on GoogleOnly 1 Google review so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Caray Law provides legal services in Glen Waverley, VIC. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Property & Conveyancing and Wills & Estates.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Fremantle, WA · Perth South
New on GoogleOnly 1 Google review so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Elizabeth Wiese & Associates provides legal services in Fremantle, WA. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Wills & Estates and De Facto Relationships.
Family Law+7 moreWills & Estates · De Facto Relationships · Property & Conveyancing · Divorce & Separation · Mediation & Dispute Resolution · Contested Wills & Family Provision · Parenting & Child Custody
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Mornington, VIC · Mornington Peninsula
New on GoogleOnly 1 Google review so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Lakey Family Law and Mediation provides legal services in Mornington, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Parenting & Child Custody and Mediation & Dispute Resolution.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Nedlands, WA · Perth CBD
New on GoogleOnly 1 Google review so far, not enough for a reliable rating
O'Sullivan Law provides legal services in Nedlands, WA. Listed practice areas include Powers of Attorney & Guardianship, Binding Financial Agreements and Family Law.
Powers of Attorney & Guardianship+5 moreBinding Financial Agreements · Family Law · Divorce & Separation · Mediation & Dispute Resolution · Wills & EstatesFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Broken Hill, NSW · Far West
New on GoogleOnly 1 Google review so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Rachel Storey & Associates provides legal services in Broken Hill, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Law and Criminal Law.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreFamily Law · Criminal Law · Employment Law · Family Property Settlement · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Mediation & Dispute Resolution · Wills & EstatesFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Doncaster East, VIC · Eastern Melbourne
New on GoogleOnly 1 Google review so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Village Family Lawyers provides legal services in Doncaster East, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Mediation & Dispute Resolution and Divorce & Separation.
Family Law+7 moreMediation & Dispute Resolution · Divorce & Separation · Property & Conveyancing · Parenting & Child Custody · Partner & Family Visas · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Business & Commercial LawFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Kiama, NSW · Illawarra & Wollongong
Australian Family Lawyers provides legal services in Kiama, NSW. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Mediation & Dispute Resolution and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Business & Commercial Law+7 moreMediation & Dispute Resolution · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Property & Conveyancing · Family Law · Partner & Family Visas · Wills & Estates · Commercial Property & Leasing
Understand the next step
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.
