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
Cessnock, NSW · Newcastle & Hunter
Emery Partners provides legal services in Cessnock, NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Family Law and Property & Conveyancing.
Bowral, NSW · Southern Highlands & Tablelands
Kennedy Legal & Mediation Services provides legal services in Bowral, NSW. Listed practice areas include Mediation & Dispute Resolution, Business & Commercial Law and Wills & Estates.
Murarrie, QLD · Brisbane South & Logan
Macpherson Family Law provides legal services in Murarrie, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Divorce & Separation and Property & Conveyancing.
St Clair, NSW · Western Sydney
Rafton Family Lawyers provides legal services in St Clair, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Wills & Estates and Property & Conveyancing.
Norwest, NSW · Hills District
Selvaggio Lawyers provides legal services in Norwest, NSW. Listed practice areas include Litigation & Dispute Resolution, Property & Conveyancing and Family Law.
Molendinar, QLD · Gold Coast
AJ Family Law provides legal services in Molendinar, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Wills & Estates.
Townsville City, QLD · Townsville & North Queensland
Donnie Harris Law provides legal services in Townsville City, QLD. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Property & Conveyancing and Family Law.
ROC Legal provides legal services in Robina, QLD. Listed practice areas include Contested Wills & Family Provision, Personal Injury and Probate & Estate Administration.
Robina, QLD · Gold Coast
Keating Kate Lawyer provides legal services in Robina, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Partner & Family Visas.
Manly, QLD · Brisbane South & Logan
Bridges Family Law Specialists provides legal services in Manly, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Divorce & Separation and Property & Conveyancing.
Kim Wilson & Co provides legal services in Subiaco, WA. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Divorce & Separation and Family Property Settlement.
Maroochydore, QLD · Sunshine Coast
Wellners Lawyers provides legal services in Maroochydore, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Divorce & Separation and Wills & Estates.
Perth, WA · Perth CBD
Ferrier Athanasiou & Kakulas provides legal services in Perth, WA. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Mediation & Dispute Resolution and Partner & Family Visas.
Penrith, NSW · Western Sydney
Injury Care Compensation Lawyers provides legal services in Penrith, NSW. Listed practice areas include Personal Injury, Public Liability and Medical Negligence.
Joondalup, WA · Perth North
Perth Mediation Services provides legal services in Joondalup, WA. Listed practice areas include Mediation & Dispute Resolution, Family Law and Property & Conveyancing.
Dubbo, NSW · Central West & Orana
Pink Conveyancing Services provides legal services in Dubbo, NSW. Listed practice areas include Notary Public & JP Services, Business & Commercial Law and Mediation & Dispute Resolution.
Coffs Harbour, NSW · Mid North Coast
Leckie Law provides legal services in Coffs Harbour, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Powers of Attorney & Guardianship and Wills & Estates.
Ashgrove, QLD · Brisbane North & Moreton Bay
Martens Legal provides legal services in Ashgrove, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Mediation & Dispute Resolution and Property & Conveyancing.
South Toowoomba, QLD · Toowoomba & Darling Downs
The Family Law Professionals Toowoomba provides legal services in South Toowoomba, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Parenting & Child Custody and Property & Conveyancing.
Ingham, QLD · Cairns & Far North
Kahler Lawyers provides legal services in Ingham, QLD. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Property & Conveyancing and Wills & Estates.
Mornington, VIC · Mornington Peninsula
Hunt, McCullough Kollias & Co provides legal services in Mornington, VIC. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Property & Conveyancing and Powers of Attorney & Guardianship.
Gosford, NSW · Central Coast
P.J. Donnellan & Co provides legal services in Gosford, NSW. Listed practice areas include Planning & Environment, Wills & Estates and Property & Conveyancing.
Atherton, QLD · Cairns & Far North
Atherton Family Lawyers provides legal services in Atherton, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Divorce & Separation and Mediation & Dispute Resolution.
Darwin City, NT · Darwin & Palmerston
Bowen Lawyers provides legal services in Darwin City, NT. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Wills & Estates and Mediation & Dispute Resolution.
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.
