Mediation is a dispute resolution process where parties involved in a dispute are assisted by an independent third party to help them reach agreement. Parties may agree to attend mediation to resolve financial and/or parenting issues. Mediation can take place before or after court proceedings are commenced. Agreements about the care of children which are reached at mediation can be formalised by way of Parenting Plans and steps can also be taken for mediated agreements to be made binding by the Court (known as consent orders). Family Dispute Resolution (FDR) is a specific type of mediation which must, with limited exceptions, be undertaken prior to the commencement of court proceedings in parenting matters. Dispute resolution services can provide an affordable and timely option for resolving disputes, while allowing you greater input into the process and the outcome. You should ensure than any person you engage to assist with FDR is registered with the Commonwealth Attorney-General’s Department as a Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner (FDRP) or, if conducting arbitration, is accredited with the Australian Institute of Family Law Arbitrators and Mediators (AIFLAM). Other dispute resolution, settlement and mediation services – stakeholder information Assistance with dispute resolution can be obtained through Legal Aid, Community Legal Centres or private legal practitioners. Legal Aid is generally subject to means and assets tests as a well as restrictions on the type of matters that assistance can be provided for. Community Legal Centres can provide free advice and some, but not all, can assist you with representation. A list of Community Legal Centres in each state and territory can be found on the Community Legal Centres Australia website. Private legal practitioners work on a fee-for-service basis. Each state and territory has a Law Society or Institute (for solicitors) as well as a Bar Association (for barristers). Law Societies and Bar Associations often operate: referral services to a legal practitioner who can help mediation services, and/or maintain lists of arbitrators. Law Society websites all have a ‘Find a Solicitor’ and ‘Find a Mediator’ function to search for solicitors and mediators in your area. The following webpages provide information on external dispute resolution services: Family Relationships Advice Line Attorney-General’s Department Family Dispute Resolution Register Australian Institute of Family Law Arbitrators and Mediators Legal aid bodies in your relevant state or territory Attorney-General's Department: amica - An Online Dispute Resolution Tool Australian Capital Territory ACT Legal Aid Family dispute resolution ACT Law Society Mediation ACT Bar Association Find a barrister New South Wales Legal Aid NSW Family dispute resolution The Law Society of New South Wales Find a lawyer The Family Law Settlement Service (FLSS) is a mediation program, administered by the Law Society’s Alternative Dispute Resolution department, suitable for financial or property disputes that are at the post-conciliation conference stage. Parenting matters are suitable for referral at any time and will be allocated to Family Dispute Resolution Practitioners (FDRPs). New South Wales Bar Association Alternative dispute resolution Anglicare 1300 651 728 Property mediation CatholicCare 1800 324 924 Family dispute resolution Interrelate 1300 839 359 Property mediation Relationships Australia NSW 1300 364 277 Mediation services Uniting 1800 864 846 Mediation services Northern Territory Northern Territory Legal Aid Commission Family dispute resolution Law Society of NT Legal referral service Northern Territory Bar Association Northern Territory Bar Association Queensland Legal Aid Queensland Legal Aid Queensland website Family dispute resolution Family Relationship Centres Queensland Law Society Alternative Dispute Resolution Find a solicitor Family Law Practitioners Association Qld Find a FLPA member Bar Association Queensland Barrister search South Australia Legal Services Commission of South Australia Family Dispute Resolution The Law Society of South Australia Mediation Find SA lawyers South Australian Bar Association Barrister search Tasmania Legal Aid Commission of Tasmania Family dispute resolution The Law Society of Tasmania The Law Society of Tasmania Victoria Victoria Legal Aid Family dispute resolution at Victoria Legal Aid Family Law Bar Association (FLBA) at the Victorian Bar The FLBA provide a list of Family Law Barristers who are specialists in Family Law mediations. The Barristers on the list work either exclusively or primarily in Family Law and Family Law mediations. The list includes those Family Law specialists who are prepared to undertake a mediation for a lower cost to assist parties with their property applications when there is a small pool or the parties are on a low income. The Law Institute of Victoria (LIV) Find a lawyer LIV Accredited Specialist Mediators LIV Mediator List