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
Stanhope, NSW · Newcastle & Hunter
★★★★★★★★★★4.6(34)Google rating from 34 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Louise Neilson Conveyancing provides conveyancing services in Stanhope, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Commercial Property & Leasing and Domestic Violence & AVOs.
Property & Conveyancing+10 moreCommercial Property & Leasing · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Business & Commercial Law · Strata & Body Corporate · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Partner & Family Visas · Professional Negligence · Personal Injury · Coronial Inquests · Mediation & Dispute Resolution
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Brookwater, QLD · Ipswich
★★★★★★★★★★3.8(33)Google rating from 33 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
VM Family Law provides legal services in Brookwater, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Divorce & Separation and Parenting & Child Custody.
Family Law+7 moreDivorce & Separation · Parenting & Child Custody · Property & Conveyancing · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Mediation & Dispute Resolution · Building & Construction · Wills & EstatesFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
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Mango Hill, QLD · Brisbane North & Moreton Bay
★★★★★★★★★★4.4(32)Google rating from 32 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Best Wilson Buckley Family Law provides legal services in Mango Hill, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Divorce & Separation and Property & Conveyancing.
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Loganholme, QLD · Brisbane South & Logan
★★★★★★★★★★4.7(32)Google rating from 32 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Brooke Winter Solicitors provides legal services in Loganholme, QLD. Listed practice areas include Drink & Drug Driving, Criminal Law and Assault & Violent Offences.
Drink & Drug Driving+7 moreCriminal Law · Assault & Violent Offences · Traffic Offences · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Bail Applications · Drug Offences · Mediation & Dispute Resolution
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Lane Cove, NSW · Sydney North Shore & Northern Beaches
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(32)Google rating from 32 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Fuentes Legal provides legal services in Lane Cove, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Divorce & Separation and Mediation & Dispute Resolution.
Family Law+2 moreDivorce & Separation · Mediation & Dispute ResolutionFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
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Sydney, NSW · Sydney CBD
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(32)Google rating from 32 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Sydney Family & Criminal Defence Lawyers provides legal services in Sydney, NSW. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Family Law and Property & Conveyancing.
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Moonee Ponds, VIC · Northern Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(31)Google rating from 31 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Kelly & McHale Family Lawyers provides legal services in Moonee Ponds, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Divorce & Separation.
Family Law+6 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Divorce & Separation · Parenting & Child Custody · Mediation & Dispute Resolution · Skilled & Business Visas · Litigation & Dispute ResolutionFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
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Werribee, VIC · Western Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★4.0(31)Google rating from 31 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Purcell and Purcell Pty Ltd provides legal services in Werribee, VIC. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Family Law and Planning & Environment.
Wills & Estates+7 moreFamily Law · Planning & Environment · Property & Conveyancing · Mediation & Dispute Resolution · Parenting & Child Custody · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship · Divorce & SeparationFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
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Newcastle, NSW · Newcastle & Hunter
★★★★★★★★★★4.6(30)Google rating from 30 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
The Family Law Co. provides legal services in Newcastle, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Planning & Environment and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Paddington, QLD · Brisbane CBD
★★★★★★★★★★4.0(29)Google rating from 29 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Feeney Family Law Pty Ltd provides legal services in Paddington, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Mediation & Dispute Resolution and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Coffs Harbour, NSW · Mid North Coast
★★★★★★★★★★4.5(28)Google rating from 28 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Bryant McKinnon Lawyers provides legal services in Coffs Harbour, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Wills & Estates.
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Surfers Paradise, QLD · Gold Coast
★★★★★★★★★★4.3(28)Google rating from 28 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
LMN Lawyers provides legal services in Surfers Paradise, QLD. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Notary Public & JP Services.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Notary Public & JP Services · Immigration & Visas · Wills & Estates · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship · Mediation & Dispute Resolution
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Wollongong, NSW · Illawarra & Wollongong
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(27)Google rating from 27 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Hulse Family Law provides legal services in Wollongong, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Parenting & Child Custody and Property & Conveyancing.
Family Law+7 moreParenting & Child Custody · Property & Conveyancing · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Divorce & Separation · Business & Commercial Law · Mediation & Dispute Resolution · International Family Law & Hague Abduction
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Petrie, QLD · Brisbane North & Moreton Bay
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(26)Google rating from 26 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Barton Family lawyers provides legal services in Petrie, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Divorce & Separation and Parenting & Child Custody.
Family Law+7 moreDivorce & Separation · Parenting & Child Custody · Property & Conveyancing · Family Property Settlement · International Family Law & Hague Abduction · Mediation & Dispute Resolution · Partner & Family Visas
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Wollongong, NSW · Illawarra & Wollongong
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(26)Google rating from 26 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
South Coast Family Law Group provides legal services in Wollongong, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Parenting & Child Custody.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Joondalup, WA · Perth North
★★★★★★★★★★4.0(25)Google rating from 25 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Benn Hill provides legal services in Joondalup, WA. Listed practice areas include Mediation & Dispute Resolution, Family Law and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Mediation & Dispute Resolution+6 moreFamily Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Property & Conveyancing · Divorce & Separation · Business & Commercial Law · Binding Financial Agreements
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Midland, WA · Perth East
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(25)Google rating from 25 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Ds Family Law provides legal services in Midland, WA. Listed practice areas include Family Law, International Family Law & Hague Abduction and Parenting & Child Custody.
Family Law+7 moreInternational Family Law & Hague Abduction · Parenting & Child Custody · De Facto Relationships · Mediation & Dispute Resolution · Divorce & Separation · Property & Conveyancing · Surrogacy & Adoption
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Coolangatta, QLD · Gold Coast
★★★★★★★★★★4.7(24)Google rating from 24 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Palm Law Group provides legal services in Coolangatta, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Parenting & Child Custody and Property & Conveyancing.
Family Law+7 moreParenting & Child Custody · Property & Conveyancing · Mediation & Dispute Resolution · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Divorce & Separation · 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
Dee Why, NSW · Sydney North Shore & Northern Beaches
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(24)Google rating from 24 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Wallen Family Law provides legal services in Dee Why, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Parenting & Child Custody and Property & Conveyancing.
Family Law+7 moreParenting & Child Custody · Property & Conveyancing · Criminal Law · Binding Financial Agreements · Mediation & Dispute Resolution · Business & Commercial Law · Litigation & Dispute ResolutionFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
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.
