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
Maroochydore, QLD · Sunshine Coast
★★★★★★★★★★4.4(98)Google rating from 98 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Freedom Family Law provides legal services in Maroochydore, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Parenting & Child Custody and Divorce & Separation.
Family Law+7 moreParenting & Child Custody · Divorce & Separation · Property & Conveyancing · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Family Property Settlement · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Mediation & Dispute ResolutionFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Melbourne, VIC · Melbourne CBD
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(94)Google rating from 94 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Carew Counsel Solicitors provides legal services in Melbourne, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Wills & Estates and Divorce & Separation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Ipswich, QLD · Ipswich
★★★★★★★★★★4.6(94)Google rating from 94 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Richard Zande & Associates provides legal services in Ipswich, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Mediation & Dispute Resolution and Wills & Estates.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Parramatta, NSW · Western Sydney
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(92)Google rating from 92 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
CK Lawyers provides legal services in Parramatta, NSW. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Property & Conveyancing and Family Law.
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Bundall, QLD · Gold Coast
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(89)Google rating from 89 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Michelle Porcheron Lawyers provides legal services in Bundall, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Parenting & Child Custody.
Family Law+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Parenting & Child Custody · Mediation & Dispute Resolution · International Family Law & Hague Abduction · Wills & Estates · Divorce & Separation · Domestic Violence & AVOs
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Cardiff, NSW · Newcastle & Hunter
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(86)Google rating from 86 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Dawson Solicitors provides legal services in Cardiff, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Wills & Estates.
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Maryborough, QLD · Wide Bay-Burnett
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(84)Google rating from 84 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
John Willett Lawyers provides legal services in Maryborough, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Domestic Violence & AVOs and Mediation & Dispute Resolution.
Family Law+3 moreDomestic Violence & AVOs · Mediation & Dispute Resolution · Criminal Law
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Kings Park, NSW · Western Sydney
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(82)Google rating from 82 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Bentham Sydney Employment Lawyers provides legal services in Kings Park, NSW. Listed practice areas include Employment Law, Unfair Dismissal and Business & Commercial Law.
Employment Law+7 moreUnfair Dismissal · Business & Commercial Law · Workplace Bullying & Stop Bullying Orders · Workplace Discrimination & Harassment · Mediation & Dispute Resolution · Skilled & Business Visas · Health & Medical Practitioner Law
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Parramatta, NSW · Western Sydney
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(79)Google rating from 79 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Hillcrest Family Lawyers provides legal services in Parramatta, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Divorce & Separation and Wills & Estates.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Sunshine, VIC · Western Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★4.7(79)Google rating from 79 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Marcou & Associates Family Lawyers provides legal services in Sunshine, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Wills & Estates and Domestic Violence & AVOs.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Glen Waverley, VIC · Eastern Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(78)Google rating from 78 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Rayner Song Family Lawyers provides legal services in Glen Waverley, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Binding Financial Agreements and De Facto Relationships.
Family Law+7 moreBinding Financial Agreements · De Facto Relationships · Property & Conveyancing · Divorce & Separation · Domestic Violence & AVOs · International Family Law & Hague Abduction · Mediation & Dispute Resolution
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Newcastle, NSW · Newcastle & Hunter
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(77)Google rating from 77 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Hebblewhite Family Lawyers provides legal services in Newcastle, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Divorce & Separation and Property & Conveyancing.
Family Law+6 moreDivorce & Separation · Property & Conveyancing · Binding Financial Agreements · Mediation & Dispute Resolution · Parenting & Child Custody · Business & Commercial Law
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Taree, NSW · Mid North Coast
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(74)Google rating from 74 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Alan McNeill Solicitors provides legal services in Taree, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Mediation & Dispute Resolution and Wills & Estates.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Melbourne, VIC · Melbourne CBD
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(73)Google rating from 73 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Emera Family Law Sunshine provides legal services in Melbourne, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Divorce & Separation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Dandenong, VIC · South East Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★3.4(73)Google rating from 73 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Victoria Legal Aid provides legal services in Dandenong, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Domestic Violence & AVOs and Parenting & Child Custody.
Family Law+7 moreDomestic Violence & AVOs · Parenting & Child Custody · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Property & Conveyancing · Health & Medical Practitioner Law · Mental Health & Guardianship Tribunal · Mediation & Dispute Resolution
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East Perth, WA · Perth CBD
★★★★★★★★★★4.6(71)Google rating from 71 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Clairs Keeley Lawyers provides legal services in East Perth, WA. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Probate & Estate Administration and Family Law.
Wills & Estates+7 moreProbate & Estate Administration · Family Law · Planning & Environment · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Mediation & Dispute Resolution · Business & Commercial Law · Litigation & Dispute ResolutionFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Brisbane City, QLD · Brisbane CBD
★★★★★★★★★★4.4(69)Google rating from 69 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Michael Lynch Family Lawyers provides legal services in Brisbane City, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Divorce & Separation.
Family Law+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Divorce & Separation · Mediation & Dispute Resolution · Parenting & Child Custody · Domestic Violence & AVOs · International Family Law & Hague Abduction · Litigation & Dispute Resolution
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Mount Gambier, SA · Limestone Coast
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(68)Google rating from 68 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Brite Legal Family Law, Wills and Estate Lawyers provides legal services in Mount Gambier, SA. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Wills & Estates and Planning & Environment.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Mandurah, WA · Perth South
★★★★★★★★★★4.7(68)Google rating from 68 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Coastal Family Law provides legal services in Mandurah, WA. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Divorce & Separation.
Family Law+5 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Divorce & Separation · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Mediation & Dispute Resolution · Business & Commercial Law
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Tamworth, NSW · New England & North West
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(67)Google rating from 67 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Carr Legal Group provides legal services in Tamworth, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Mediation & Dispute Resolution and Wills & Estates.
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.
