Family & Relationships
Mediators and family dispute resolution practitioners help people reach agreement without going to court.
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.
Mediation resolves disputes faster and more cheaply than court, and keeps decisions in the parties' hands rather than a judge's.
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.
Mediation & Dispute Resolution firms in the directory
435 firms
North Lakes, QLD · Brisbane North & Moreton Bay
Macpherson Family Law provides legal services in North Lakes, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Divorce & Separation and Property & Conveyancing.
St Kilda, VIC · South East Melbourne
Simon English Lawyers provides legal services in St Kilda, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Defamation.
Wollongong, NSW · Illawarra & Wollongong
Carroll & O'Dea provides legal services in Wollongong, NSW. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Property & Conveyancing and Unfair Dismissal.
Gunnedah, NSW · New England & North West
Michel + White Lawyers provides legal services in Gunnedah, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Law and Wills & Estates.
Joondalup, WA · Perth North
Bridges Family Law Specialists provides legal services in Joondalup, WA. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Divorce & Separation and Property & Conveyancing.
Camden, NSW · Western Sydney
Caldwell Martin Cox provides legal services in Camden, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Law and Wills & Estates.
Newcastle, NSW · Newcastle & Hunter
Carroll & O'Dea provides legal services in Newcastle, NSW. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Property & Conveyancing and Unfair Dismissal.
Tweed Heads, NSW · Northern Rivers
Henry Family Lawyers provides legal services in Tweed Heads, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Binding Financial Agreements and Divorce & Separation.
Cox Legal provides legal services in Mandurah, WA. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Mediation & Dispute Resolution and Property & Conveyancing.
DCH Legal Group provides legal services in NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Divorce & Separation and Surrogacy & Adoption.
Nedlands, WA · Perth CBD
Davies & Co Lawyers provides legal services in Nedlands, WA. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Mediation & Dispute Resolution and Contested Wills & Family Provision.
Varsity Lakes, QLD · Gold Coast
Bridges Family Law Specialists provides legal services in Varsity Lakes, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Divorce & Separation and Parenting & Child Custody.
Cooroy, QLD · Sunshine Coast
Cooroy Legal Centre provides legal services in Cooroy, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Mediation & Dispute Resolution and Parenting & Child Custody.
Adelaide, SA · Adelaide CBD
Law Society of South Australia provides legal services in Adelaide, SA. Listed practice areas include Litigation & Dispute Resolution, Family Law and Mediation & Dispute Resolution.
Batemans Bay, NSW · South Coast
BHM Lawyers provides legal services in Batemans Bay, NSW. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Wills & Estates and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Newcastle, NSW · Newcastle & Hunter
Mullane Lindsay Lawyers provides legal services in Newcastle, NSW. Listed practice areas include Litigation & Dispute Resolution, Wills & Estates and Property & Conveyancing.
Armidale, NSW · New England & North West
Abbott Pardy & Jenkins provides legal services in Armidale, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Litigation & Dispute Resolution and Wills & Estates.
Lindfield, NSW · Sydney North Shore & Northern Beaches
Blackman Amanda provides legal services in Lindfield, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Wills & Estates.
Melbourne, VIC · Melbourne CBD
Kozarov Lawyers provides legal services in Melbourne, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Domestic Violence & AVOs and Criminal Law.
Dural, NSW · Hills District
Peter Dawson & Associates provides legal services in Dural, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Wills & Estates.
Glen Innes, NSW · New England & North West
Abbott Pardy & Jenkins provides legal services in Glen Innes, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Litigation & Dispute Resolution and Wills & Estates.
Darwin City, NT · Darwin & Palmerston
Aboriginal Legal Aid, Darwin provides legal services in Darwin City, NT. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Mediation & Dispute Resolution and Child Protection & Care Matters.
Darwin Cbd, NT · Darwin & Palmerston
Aboriginal Legal Aid, Darwin provides legal services in Darwin Cbd, NT. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law and Mediation & Dispute Resolution.
Erina, NSW · Central Coast
Catalyst Family Lawyers provides legal services in Erina, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Divorce & Separation.
Understand the next step
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.
Explain the relationship history, current arrangements and outcome you want. Identify immediate concerns and provide every existing order or agreement.
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.
Ask how an agreement would be documented and implemented. Clarify who handles related transfers, finance and estate-planning 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.
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.
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
Generally yes, with exceptions such as threats to safety and child abuse.
A certificate from a family dispute resolution practitioner, usually needed before filing a parenting application in court.
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.
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.
