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
Moss Vale, NSW · Southern Highlands & Tablelands
Mark Fleming Lawyers provides legal services in Moss Vale, NSW. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Property & Conveyancing and Intellectual Property & Trade Marks.
Canberra City, ACT · Canberra
Mark Fleming Lawyers provides legal services in Canberra City, ACT. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Property & Conveyancing and Intellectual Property & Trade Marks.
Melbourne, VIC · Melbourne CBD
McNab McNab & Starke Lawyers provides legal services in Melbourne, VIC. Listed practice areas include Litigation & Dispute Resolution, Property & Conveyancing and Wills & Estates.
Wilston, QLD · Brisbane North & Moreton Bay
Mines & Associates provides legal services in Wilston, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Business & Commercial Law.
Cobargo, NSW · South Coast
Morrissey Legal & Conveyancing provides legal services in Cobargo, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Mediation & Dispute Resolution and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Milton, NSW · South Coast
Morrissey Legal & Conveyancing provides legal services in Milton, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Mediation & Dispute Resolution and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
North Ward, QLD · Townsville & North Queensland
NQ Legal provides legal services in North Ward, QLD. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Joondalup, WA · Perth North
Perth Family Law Centre provides legal services in Joondalup, WA. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Parenting & Child Custody and Binding Financial Agreements.
Apsley, NSW · Central West & Orana
Pink Conveyancing Services provides legal services in Apsley, NSW. Listed practice areas include Notary Public & JP Services, Business & Commercial Law and Mediation & Dispute Resolution.
Melbourne, VIC · Melbourne CBD
Rachel Storey & Associates provides legal services in Melbourne, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Law and Criminal Law.
Richmond, NSW · Western Sydney
Rafton Family Lawyers provides legal services in Richmond, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Wills & Estates and Property & Conveyancing.
Southport, QLD · Gold Coast
Reardon Family Lawyers provides legal services in Southport, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Mediation & Dispute Resolution and Parenting & Child Custody.
Ballarat Central, VIC · Ballarat & Central Highlands
Relationships Australia Victoria provides legal services in Ballarat Central, VIC. Listed practice areas include Mediation & Dispute Resolution, Health & Medical Practitioner Law and Family Law.
Port Macquarie, NSW · Mid North Coast
Reynolds and Reynolds Legal Services Pty Ltd provides legal services in Port Macquarie, NSW. Listed practice areas include Agribusiness & Rural Law, Business & Commercial Law and Property & Conveyancing.
Glen Innes, NSW · New England & North West
Reynolds and Reynolds Legal Services Pty Ltd provides legal services in Glen Innes, NSW. Listed practice areas include Agribusiness & Rural Law, Business & Commercial Law and Property & Conveyancing.
Perth, WA · Perth CBD
RJ Lawson Barrister & Solicitor provides legal services in Perth, WA. Listed practice areas include Litigation & Dispute Resolution, Workers Compensation and Criminal Law.
West Melbourne, VIC · Melbourne CBD
Robert A. McHugh provides legal services in West Melbourne, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Mediation & Dispute Resolution and Property & Conveyancing.
Ballina, NSW · Northern Rivers
S P Lawyers Ballina provides legal services in Ballina, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Mediation & Dispute Resolution and Parenting & Child Custody.
Parramatta, NSW · Western Sydney
Sarah Bevan Family Lawyers provides legal services in Parramatta, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Divorce & Separation and Parenting & Child Custody.
Parramatta, NSW · Western Sydney
Sharon Payne Family Lawyers Parramatta provides legal services in Parramatta, NSW. Listed practice areas include Mediation & Dispute Resolution, Family Law and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Singleton, NSW · Newcastle & Hunter
Shaw & Bunner Legal provides legal services in Singleton, NSW. Listed practice areas include Personal Injury, Workers Compensation and Motor Vehicle Accidents / CTP.
Byron Bay, NSW · Northern Rivers
Springwood Lawyers provides legal services in Byron Bay, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Divorce & Separation and Mediation & Dispute Resolution.
Torquay, VIC · Geelong & Surf Coast
Springwood Lawyers provides legal services in Torquay, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Divorce & Separation and Mediation & Dispute Resolution.
Brisbane City, QLD · Brisbane CBD
Taylors provides legal services in Brisbane City, QLD. Listed practice areas include Personal Injury 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.
