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
Toowoomba City, QLD · Toowoomba & Darling Downs
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(23)Google rating from 23 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Chris Sheath & Associates Solicitors provides legal services in Toowoomba City, QLD. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Wills & Estates.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Cairns City, QLD · Cairns & Far North
★★★★★★★★★★4.3(23)Google rating from 23 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Queensland Lawyers provides legal services in Cairns City, QLD. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Business & Commercial Law and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Dubbo, NSW · Central West & Orana
★★★★★★★★★★4.6(22)Google rating from 22 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Mastronardi Legal provides legal services in Dubbo, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Divorce & Separation and Mediation & Dispute Resolution.
Family Law+6 moreDivorce & Separation · Mediation & Dispute Resolution · Parenting & Child Custody · Property & Conveyancing · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Business & Commercial Law
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Kingston, ACT · Canberra
★★★★★★★★★★4.5(22)Google rating from 22 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Morris Legal Group provides legal services in Kingston, ACT. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Commercial Property & Leasing.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Commercial Property & Leasing · Building & Construction · Partner & Family Visas · Mediation & Dispute Resolution · Planning & Environment · Wills & Estates
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Redcliffe, QLD · Brisbane North & Moreton Bay
★★★★★★★★★★3.6(22)Google rating from 22 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Parker Family Law provides legal services in Redcliffe, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Mediation & Dispute Resolution and Divorce & Separation.
Family Law+7 moreMediation & Dispute Resolution · Divorce & Separation · Property & Conveyancing · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Building & Construction · Family Property Settlement · Domestic Violence & AVOs
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Ipswich, QLD · Ipswich
★★★★★★★★★★4.5(21)Google rating from 21 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Best Wilson Buckley Family Law provides legal services in Ipswich, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Divorce & Separation and Property & Conveyancing.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Coolum Beach, QLD · Sunshine Coast
★★★★★★★★★★4.0(21)Google rating from 21 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Sunshine Coast Legal Pty Ltd provides legal services in Coolum Beach, QLD. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Litigation & Dispute Resolution and Family Law.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreLitigation & Dispute Resolution · Family Law · Wills & Estates · Mediation & Dispute Resolution · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship · Criminal Law · Business & Commercial Law
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Northcote, VIC · Northern Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★2.7(21)Google rating from 21 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
VM Family Lawyers provides legal services in Northcote, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Mediation & Dispute Resolution and Domestic Violence & AVOs.
Family Law+2 moreMediation & Dispute Resolution · Domestic Violence & AVOsFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Townsville City, QLD · Townsville & North Queensland
★★★★★★★★★★4.6(20)Google rating from 20 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Ruhl Family Law Centre provides legal services in Townsville City, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Domestic Violence & AVOs and Mediation & Dispute Resolution.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Nowra, NSW · South Coast
★★★★★★★★★★4.6(19)Google rating from 19 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Family First Lawyers provides legal services in Nowra, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Parenting & Child Custody.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Gosford, NSW · Central Coast
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(19)Google rating from 19 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Family Law Partners provides legal services in Gosford, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Divorce & Separation and Property & Conveyancing.
Family Law+7 moreDivorce & Separation · Property & Conveyancing · Parenting & Child Custody · Partner & Family Visas · Binding Financial Agreements · 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
Mackay, QLD · Mackay & Whitsundays
★★★★★★★★★★4.4(19)Google rating from 19 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Family Lawyers Mackay provides legal services in Mackay, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Binding Financial Agreements and Divorce & Separation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Kenmore, QLD · Brisbane South & Logan
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(18)Google rating from 18 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Melrose Keys Lawyers provides legal services in Kenmore, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Parenting & Child Custody and Binding Financial Agreements.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Warrnambool, VIC · Western District & Wimmera
★★★★★★★★★★3.4(18)Google rating from 18 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Victoria Legal Aid provides legal services in Warrnambool, 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
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Brisbane City, QLD · Brisbane CBD
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(18)Google rating from 18 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Watson St Claire Family Law provides legal services in Brisbane City, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Divorce & Separation and Property & Conveyancing.
Family Law+7 moreDivorce & Separation · Property & Conveyancing · Domestic Violence & AVOs · International Family Law & Hague Abduction · Mediation & Dispute Resolution · Binding Financial Agreements · Business & Commercial Law
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Miranda, NSW · Southern Sydney
★★★★★★★★★★4.5(17)Google rating from 17 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Shire Legal provides legal services in Miranda, NSW. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Property & Conveyancing and Wills & Estates.
Business & Commercial Law+6 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Wills & Estates · Notary Public & JP Services · Mediation & Dispute Resolution · Strata & Body Corporate · Building & ConstructionFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Wollongong, NSW · Illawarra & Wollongong
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(16)Google rating from 16 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Seacliff Family Law provides legal services in Wollongong, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Divorce & Separation and Property & Conveyancing.
Family Law+7 moreDivorce & Separation · Property & Conveyancing · Parenting & Child Custody · Mediation & Dispute Resolution · De Facto Relationships · Binding Financial Agreements · International Family Law & Hague AbductionFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Understand the next step
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.
