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
Wagga Wagga, NSW · Riverina & Murray
★★★★★★★★★★4.6(11)Google rating from 11 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Wagga Family Lawyers provides legal services in Wagga Wagga, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Parenting & Child Custody.
Family Law+6 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Parenting & Child Custody · De Facto Relationships · Mediation & Dispute Resolution · Divorce & Separation · Partner & Family Visas
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Black Rock, VIC · South East Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(10)Google rating from 10 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Burrell Family Law provides legal services in Black Rock, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Parenting & Child Custody and Divorce & Separation.
Family Law+6 moreParenting & Child Custody · Divorce & Separation · Property & Conveyancing · Domestic Violence & AVOs · De Facto Relationships · Mediation & Dispute ResolutionFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Hobart, TAS · Hobart & South
★★★★★★★★★★4.6(10)Google rating from 10 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Carroll & O'Dea provides legal services in Hobart, TAS. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Medical Negligence and Property & Conveyancing.
Business & Commercial Law+7 moreMedical Negligence · Property & Conveyancing · Unfair Dismissal · Professional Negligence · Public Liability · Mediation & Dispute Resolution · Wills & Estates
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Chermside, QLD · Brisbane North & Moreton Bay
★★★★★★★★★★3.5(10)Google rating from 10 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Northside Family Law Centre provides legal services in Chermside, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Divorce & Separation and Property & Conveyancing.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Mackay, QLD · Mackay & Whitsundays
★★★★★★★★★★4.6(10)Google rating from 10 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Reynolds Family Law provides legal services in Mackay, 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
Ulverstone, TAS · North West & West Coast
★★★★★★★★★★4.6(9)Google rating from 9 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Cann Legal provides legal services in Ulverstone, TAS. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Notary Public & JP Services and Mediation & Dispute Resolution.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreNotary Public & JP Services · Mediation & Dispute Resolution · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Wills & Estates · Family Law · Probate & Estate Administration · Building & Construction
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
East Toowoomba, QLD · Toowoomba & Darling Downs
★★★★★★★★★★4.6(9)Google rating from 9 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Contested Will and Estate Lawyers provides legal services in East Toowoomba, QLD. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Probate & Estate Administration and Contested Wills & Family Provision.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Rockingham, WA · Perth South
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(9)Google rating from 9 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Elite Family Law provides legal services in Rockingham, WA. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Mediation & Dispute Resolution and Parenting & Child Custody.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Armidale, NSW · New England & North West
★★★★★★★★★★4.1(9)Google rating from 9 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Emalene Gemmell Family Law provides legal services in Armidale, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Planning & Environment and Parenting & Child Custody.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Stanmore, NSW · Eastern Suburbs & Inner West
★★★★★★★★★★4.1(9)Google rating from 9 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Sharah Joanne provides legal services in Stanmore, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Criminal Law and Mediation & Dispute Resolution.
Property & Conveyancing+6 moreCriminal Law · Mediation & Dispute Resolution · Family Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Business & Commercial Law · Commercial Litigation3 languages
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Cessnock, NSW · Newcastle & Hunter
★★★★★★★★★★3.7(9)Google rating from 9 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Smyth Turner Wall provides legal services in Cessnock, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Powers of Attorney & Guardianship and Wills & Estates.
Property & Conveyancing+7 morePowers of Attorney & Guardianship · Wills & Estates · Mediation & Dispute Resolution · Family Law · Domestic Violence & AVOs · 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
Bondi Junction, NSW · Eastern Suburbs & Inner West
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(8)Google rating from 8 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Gramelis Attorneys provides legal services in Bondi Junction, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Binding Financial Agreements and Parenting & Child Custody.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Canberra City, ACT · Canberra
★★★★★★★★★★4.0(8)Google rating from 8 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Mazengarb Family Lawyers provides legal services in Canberra City, ACT. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Divorce & Separation and Parenting & Child Custody.
Family Law+7 moreDivorce & Separation · Parenting & Child Custody · Property & Conveyancing · Wills & Estates · Mediation & Dispute Resolution · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Powers of Attorney & GuardianshipFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Sandgate, QLD · Brisbane North & Moreton Bay
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(8)Google rating from 8 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Northside Family Law Centre provides legal services in Sandgate, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Divorce & Separation and Property & Conveyancing.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Nambour, QLD · Sunshine Coast
★★★★★★★★★★4.4(7)Google rating from 7 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Baldwins Lawyers provides legal services in Nambour, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Parenting & Child Custody.
Family Law+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Parenting & Child Custody · Divorce & Separation · Mediation & Dispute Resolution · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Business & Commercial Law · Wills & EstatesFree 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
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(7)Google rating from 7 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
CLEON Legal (Family Lawyers and Domestic Violence Lawyers) provides legal services in Townsville City, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Domestic Violence & AVOs and Business & Commercial Law.
Family Law+7 moreDomestic Violence & AVOs · Business & Commercial Law · Mediation & Dispute Resolution · Divorce & Separation · Parenting & Child Custody · Partner & Family Visas · Property & Conveyancing
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
North Fremantle, WA · Perth South
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(7)Google rating from 7 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Fletcher Law provides legal services in North Fremantle, WA. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Litigation & Dispute Resolution and Mediation & Dispute Resolution.
Business & Commercial Law+7 moreLitigation & Dispute Resolution · Mediation & Dispute Resolution · Building & Construction · Tax Law · Corporate Law & M&A · Property & Conveyancing · Planning & Environment
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Double Bay, NSW · Eastern Suburbs & Inner West
★★★★★★★★★★3.7(7)Google rating from 7 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Karras Partners Lawyers provides legal services in Double Bay, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Partner & Family Visas and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Family Law+5 morePartner & Family Visas · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Mediation & Dispute Resolution · Property & Conveyancing · 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.
