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
Bendigo, VIC · Bendigo & Loddon
OFRM Lawyers provides legal services in Bendigo, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Law and Business & Commercial Law.
Erina, NSW · Central Coast
Orbell Family Lawyers Central Coast provides legal services in Erina, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Parenting & Child Custody and Divorce & Separation.
Burnie, TAS · North West & West Coast
Whitelaw Legal Group provides legal services in Burnie, TAS. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Property & Conveyancing and Family Law.
Hawthorn, VIC · Eastern Melbourne
Clancy & Triado provides legal services in Hawthorn, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Divorce & Separation and De Facto Relationships.
Dural, NSW · Hills District
Anderson Boemi Lawyers provides legal services in Dural, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Family Law.
East Toowoomba, QLD · Toowoomba & Darling Downs
Best Wilson Buckley Family Law provides legal services in East Toowoomba, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Mediation & Dispute Resolution and Property & Conveyancing.
Epping, VIC · Northern Melbourne
D & M Lawyers provides legal services in Epping, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Wills & Estates and Domestic Violence & AVOs.
Mount Eliza, VIC · Mornington Peninsula
Eliza Legal provides legal services in Mount Eliza, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Divorce & Separation and Property & Conveyancing.
North Fremantle, WA · Perth South
Meillon & Bright Family Lawyers Fremantle provides legal services in North Fremantle, WA. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Divorce & Separation and Binding Financial Agreements.
Mount Eliza, VIC · Mornington Peninsula
Village Family Lawyers provides legal services in Mount Eliza, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Mediation & Dispute Resolution and Divorce & Separation.
Newcastle, NSW · Newcastle & Hunter
Cooper Williams Lawyers provides legal services in Newcastle, NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Mediation & Dispute Resolution and Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts.
Brisbane City, QLD · Brisbane CBD
James Noble Law provides legal services in Brisbane City, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Litigation & Dispute Resolution and Property & Conveyancing.
Penrith, NSW · Western Sydney
Rafton Family Lawyers provides legal services in Penrith, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Wills & Estates and Property & Conveyancing.
Robina, QLD · Gold Coast
Frigo James Legal provides legal services in Robina, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Wills & Estates and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Gympie, QLD · Sunshine Coast
Baldwins Lawyers provides legal services in Gympie, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Parenting & Child Custody.
Heidelberg, VIC · Northern Melbourne
Rush Family Law provides legal services in Heidelberg, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Parenting & Child Custody and Property & Conveyancing.
Shepparton, VIC · Hume & North East
SMR Legal provides legal services in Shepparton, VIC. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Property & Conveyancing and Wills & Estates.
Canberra, ACT · Canberra
Apollo Law provides legal services in Canberra, ACT. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Litigation & Dispute Resolution and Family Law.
Southport, QLD · Gold Coast
Lee Lawyers provides legal services in Southport, QLD. Listed practice areas include Notary Public & JP Services, Mediation & Dispute Resolution and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Norwest, NSW · Hills District
Hikma Legal provides legal services in Norwest, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, De Facto Relationships and Mediation & Dispute Resolution.
Norwest, NSW · Hills District
Kalpaxis Legal provides legal services in Norwest, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Parenting & Child Custody and Mediation & Dispute Resolution.
Springfield Lakes, QLD · Ipswich
QC Law provides legal services in Springfield Lakes, QLD. Listed practice areas include Medical Negligence, Motor Vehicle Accidents / CTP and Personal Injury.
Balgowlah, NSW · Sydney North Shore & Northern Beaches
De Saxe O'Neill Family Lawyers provides legal services in Balgowlah, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Mediation & Dispute Resolution and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Canberra, ACT · Canberra
HCC Lawyers provides legal services in Canberra, ACT. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Business & Commercial Law.
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.
