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.
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(46)Google rating from 46 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Arora Legal Family Lawyers & Mediators provides legal services in Greenslopes, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Mediation & Dispute Resolution and Parenting & Child Custody.
Family Law+7 moreMediation & Dispute Resolution · Parenting & Child Custody · Property & Conveyancing · Divorce & Separation · International Family Law & Hague Abduction · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Family Property SettlementFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(46)Google rating from 46 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Vietnam Veterans-Illawarra (Sub Branch) provides legal services in Wollongong, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Divorce & Separation and Family Property Settlement.
Brookvale, NSW · Sydney North Shore & Northern Beaches
★★★★★★★★★★4.2(44)Google rating from 44 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Reid Family Lawyers provides legal services in Brookvale, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Mediation & Dispute Resolution and Property & Conveyancing.
Family Law+7 moreMediation & Dispute Resolution · Property & Conveyancing · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Divorce & Separation · International Family Law & Hague Abduction · Parenting & Child Custody · Family Property Settlement3 languages
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(41)Google rating from 41 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Cooroy Legal Centre provides legal services in Noosaville, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Mediation & Dispute Resolution and Parenting & Child Custody.
Family Law+7 moreMediation & Dispute Resolution · Parenting & Child Custody · Property & Conveyancing · Divorce & Separation · Wills & Estates · De Facto Relationships · Litigation & Dispute ResolutionFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
★★★★★★★★★★4.6(36)Google rating from 36 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Angela Ferdinandy provides legal services in Adelaide, SA. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Family Property Settlement and Property & Conveyancing.
★★★★★★★★★★4.6(36)Google rating from 36 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Sayer Jones provides legal services in Melbourne, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Parenting & Child Custody and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Family Law+7 moreParenting & Child Custody · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Mediation & Dispute Resolution · International Family Law & Hague Abduction · Property & Conveyancing · Surrogacy & Adoption · Domestic Violence & AVOs
★★★★★★★★★★4.7(34)Google rating from 34 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Cudmore Legal Family Lawyers Brisbane Co 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 · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Mediation & Dispute Resolution · Partner & Family VisasFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
★★★★★★★★★★4.6(32)Google rating from 32 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Brooke Winter Solicitors provides legal services in Hobart, TAS. Listed practice areas include Drink & Drug Driving, Criminal Law and Assault & Violent Offences.
Drink & Drug Driving+7 moreCriminal Law · Assault & Violent Offences · Traffic Offences · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Bail Applications · Drug Offences · Mediation & Dispute Resolution
★★★★★★★★★★3.9(32)Google rating from 32 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Wellners Lawyers provides legal services in Mount Gravatt East, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Wills & Estates and Divorce & Separation.
★★★★★★★★★★4.4(31)Google rating from 31 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Curwen-Walker Conveyancing & Legal provides legal services in Point Cook, VIC. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Business & Commercial Law and Family Law.
Wills & Estates+5 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Family Law · Criminal Law · Health & Medical Practitioner Law · Mediation & Dispute Resolution
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(30)Google rating from 30 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Macpherson Family Law provides legal services in Newstead, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Divorce & Separation and Property & Conveyancing.
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(30)Google rating from 30 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Reynolds and Reynolds Legal Services Pty Ltd provides legal services in Armidale, NSW. Listed practice areas include Agribusiness & Rural Law, Business & Commercial Law and Property & Conveyancing.
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(29)Google rating from 29 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Dimocks Family Lawyers provides legal services in Sydney, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Mediation & Dispute Resolution and Property & Conveyancing.
★★★★★★★★★★4.5(28)Google rating from 28 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
CHRISTOPHER SEROW SOLICITOR provides legal services in Armidale, NSW. Listed practice areas include Notary Public & JP Services, Mediation & Dispute Resolution and Property & Conveyancing.
Notary Public & JP Services+7 moreMediation & Dispute Resolution · Property & Conveyancing · Registered Migration Agent (non-lawyer) · Immigration & Visas · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Criminal Law · Business & Commercial LawFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
★★★★★★★★★★4.5(28)Google rating from 28 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
CHRISTOPHER SEROW SOLICITOR provides legal services in Armidale, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Notary Public & JP Services and Mediation & Dispute Resolution.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreNotary Public & JP Services · Mediation & Dispute Resolution · Registered Migration Agent (non-lawyer) · Business & Commercial Law · Immigration & Visas · Criminal Law · Litigation & Dispute ResolutionFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
★★★★★★★★★★4.0(27)Google rating from 27 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Bartel & Hall provides legal services in Victor Harbor, SA. Listed practice areas include Mediation & Dispute Resolution, Litigation & Dispute Resolution and Business & Commercial Law.
Mediation & Dispute Resolution+2 moreLitigation & Dispute Resolution · Business & Commercial Law
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(26)Google rating from 26 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
ClearPath Navigating Family Law and Mediation provides legal services in Bathurst, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Business & Commercial Law.
Family Law+6 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Business & Commercial Law · Mediation & Dispute Resolution · Partner & Family Visas · Health & Medical Practitioner Law · Mental Health & Guardianship Tribunal
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(26)Google rating from 26 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
MYRIALLAKIS AND ASSOCIATES PTY LTD provides legal services in NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Criminal Law and Domestic Violence & AVOs.
Family Law+7 moreCriminal Law · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Property & Conveyancing · Bail Applications · Divorce & Separation · Mediation & Dispute Resolution · Parenting & Child CustodyFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
★★★★★★★★★★4.5(24)Google rating from 24 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Alex Ilkin & Co provides legal services in Mortdale, NSW. Listed practice areas include Strata & Body Corporate, Building & Construction and Property & Conveyancing.
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.
