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
Bella Vista, NSW · Hills District
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(16)Google rating from 16 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Tajik Lawyers Pty Ltd provides legal services in Bella Vista, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Wills & Estates and Property & Conveyancing.
Family Law+7 moreWills & Estates · Property & Conveyancing · Parenting & Child Custody · Divorce & Separation · Family Property Settlement · Mediation & Dispute Resolution · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship2 languagesLanguages mentioned on the firm’s website: arabic
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Morwell, VIC · Gippsland
★★★★★★★★★★2.7(16)Google rating from 16 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Taylor & Barnes Solicitors provides legal services in Morwell, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Family Law+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Parenting & Child Custody · Mediation & Dispute Resolution · Divorce & Separation · Business & Commercial Law · Family Property Settlement
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Varsity Lakes, QLD · Gold Coast
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(15)Google rating from 15 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Final Law provides legal services in Varsity Lakes, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Domestic Violence & AVOs.
Family Law+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Wills & Estates · Mediation & Dispute Resolution · Parenting & Child Custody · Divorce & Separation · Criminal LawFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
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Red Hill, QLD · Brisbane North & Moreton Bay
★★★★★★★★★★4.5(15)Google rating from 15 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
RedHill Legal provides legal services in Red Hill, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Mediation & Dispute Resolution and Property & Conveyancing.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Cleveland, QLD · Brisbane South & Logan
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(14)Google rating from 14 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Collective Family Law Group provides legal services in Cleveland, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Divorce & Separation and Property & Conveyancing.
Family Law+7 moreDivorce & Separation · Property & Conveyancing · Binding Financial Agreements · Parenting & Child Custody · International Family Law & Hague Abduction · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Mediation & Dispute ResolutionFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
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Bundaberg Central, QLD · Wide Bay-Burnett
★★★★★★★★★★4.5(14)Google rating from 14 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Highland Ferguson Lawyers provides legal services in Bundaberg Central, QLD. Listed practice areas include Mediation & Dispute Resolution, Wills & Estates and Property & Conveyancing.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Victoria Point, QLD · Brisbane South & Logan
★★★★★★★★★★4.7(14)Google rating from 14 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Hooper & Mill Family Lawyers provides legal services in Victoria Point, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Divorce & Separation and Property & Conveyancing.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
North Sydney, NSW · Sydney North Shore & Northern Beaches
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(14)Google rating from 14 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Movement Legal provides legal services in North Sydney, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Binding Financial Agreements and Property & Conveyancing.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Canberra, ACT · Canberra
★★★★★★★★★★4.5(14)Google rating from 14 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Robinson McGuinness Family Law provides legal services in Canberra, ACT. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Divorce & Separation and Parenting & Child Custody.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Parramatta, NSW · Western Sydney
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(14)Google rating from 14 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Unified Lawyers provides legal services in Parramatta, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Divorce & Separation and Parenting & Child Custody.
Family Law+7 moreDivorce & Separation · Parenting & Child Custody · Binding Financial Agreements · Property & Conveyancing · Family Property Settlement · Business & Commercial Law · Mediation & Dispute Resolution
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Dalby, QLD · Toowoomba & Darling Downs
★★★★★★★★★★3.5(13)Google rating from 13 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Edgar & Wood Solicitors provides legal services in Dalby, QLD. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Mediation & Dispute Resolution and Wills & Estates.
Property & Conveyancing+6 moreMediation & Dispute Resolution · Wills & Estates · Business & Commercial Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Family Law · Parenting & Child Custody
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Hurstville, NSW · Southern Sydney
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(13)Google rating from 13 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Michael Birch provides legal services in Hurstville, NSW. Listed practice areas include Partner & Family Visas, Building & Construction and Wills & Estates.
Partner & Family Visas+7 moreBuilding & Construction · Wills & Estates · Property & Conveyancing · Business & Commercial Law · Probate & Estate Administration · Mediation & Dispute Resolution · Litigation & Dispute Resolution
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Five Dock, NSW · Eastern Suburbs & Inner West
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(12)Google rating from 12 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Allars Mottee Hannaford provides legal services in Five Dock, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Wills & Estates.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Morisset, NSW · Newcastle & Hunter
★★★★★★★★★★4.5(12)Google rating from 12 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Dawson Solicitors provides legal services in Morisset, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Wills & Estates.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Franklin, ACT · Canberra
★★★★★★★★★★2.0(12)Google rating from 12 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Infinity Legal provides legal services in Franklin, ACT. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Binding Financial Agreements and Parenting & Child Custody.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Townsville City, QLD · Townsville & North Queensland
★★★★★★★★★★4.4(11)Google rating from 11 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Dawson Family Law provides legal services in Townsville City, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Divorce & Separation and Property & Conveyancing.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Wagga Wagga, NSW · Riverina & Murray
★★★★★★★★★★3.9(11)Google rating from 11 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Friedlieb Fox McLeod provides legal services in Wagga Wagga, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Parenting & Child Custody.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Robina, QLD · Gold Coast
★★★★★★★★★★4.3(11)Google rating from 11 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Keating Kate Lawyer provides legal services in Robina, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Mediation & Dispute Resolution.
Family Law+6 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Mediation & Dispute Resolution · Wills & Estates · Partner & Family Visas · Divorce & Separation · Parenting & Child Custody
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.
