Grandparent Mediation & Family Dispute Resolution
Having difficulty maintaining a relationship with your grandchildren?
Family disagreements, separation and changes in family circumstances can sometimes result in grandparents losing contact with grandchildren or becoming involved in disputes about their care.
Grandparent Mediation, conducted as Family Dispute Resolution (FDR), provides families with an opportunity to discuss these issues with the assistance of an independent and impartial Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner.
Northern Frontiers works with grandparents, parents, guardians and other family members to explore practical arrangements that focus on the best interests of the child while helping families attempt to resolve their differences without unnecessary Court proceedings.
Our Grandparent Mediation service is available Australia-wide by telephone and video, including Microsoft Teams, Zoom and FaceTime. In-person appointments may also be available by arrangement.
Do grandparents have rights under Australian family law?
Australian family law recognises that grandparents and other significant people can play an important role in a child's life. However, grandparents do not have an automatic right to spend time with or communicate with their grandchildren.
The Family Law Act 1975 specifically provides that a grandparent may apply for a parenting order. When determining parenting arrangements, the Court's paramount consideration is the best interests of the child.
This can include considering the benefit to a child of having relationships with parents and other people who are significant to them, such as grandparents and siblings, where it is safe to do so.
Grandparent Mediation provides an opportunity to explore these issues privately and constructively before Court proceedings are considered.
What matters can Grandparent Mediation cover?
Grandparent Mediation can be used to discuss a wide range of arrangements involving children and grandchildren, including:
- time spent between grandchildren and grandparents
- telephone, video and other communication
- weekends, school holidays and special occasions
- birthdays, Christmas and other family celebrations
- transport and changeover arrangements
- communication between grandparents and parents
- relationships with extended family members
- cultural and family connections
- circumstances where grandparents are involved in the care of a child
- arrangements where a child may live with a grandparent
- other practical matters affecting the child's care, welfare and development.
The particular issues you would like discussed can be identified during your confidential Intake & Assessment session.
Do grandparents have to attempt Family Dispute Resolution before going to Court?
Where a person intends to apply for parenting orders, Family Dispute Resolution will generally need to be attempted before an application can be filed, unless an exemption applies.
This requirement can apply to grandparents seeking parenting orders as well as parents and other eligible applicants.
Some exemptions apply, including in circumstances involving family violence, child abuse or urgency. Independent legal advice should be obtained about your particular circumstances.
Northern Frontiers' accredited Family Dispute Resolution Practitioners can issue section 60I certificates where the legislative requirements are met.
For broader information about parenting disputes, please visit our Parenting Mediation & Family Dispute Resolution page.
Grandparent Mediation: FREE 15min Consultation
We get things moving quickly
Your first step is a private and confidential Intake & Assessment session with an accredited Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner, generally available within 2–3 business days of your initial enquiry.
If your matter is assessed as appropriate for mediation and the other parties agree to participate, mediation can usually be arranged promptly once the required Intake & Assessment sessions have been completed and everyone is available.
Australia-wide service
You do not need to live near one another or travel to an office to participate.
Grandparent Mediation can be conducted Australia-wide by telephone or video, allowing grandparents, parents and other family members to participate from separate locations.
No-direct-contact options
Depending on the circumstances, mediation may be conducted directly between the parties or through shuttle/no-direct-contact mediation.
Your Mediator will assess the circumstances and discuss the most appropriate format during the Intake & Assessment process.
What if the other party won't participate?
You can commence the Family Dispute Resolution process even if you are unsure whether the parent or other family member will agree to participate.
Northern Frontiers can formally contact the other party and invite them to take part in the process.
If the other party refuses or fails to participate, an accredited Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner may be able to issue a section 60I certificate once the applicable legislative requirements have been met.
Grandparenting Proposal Preparation
If mediation cannot proceed, our Parenting / Grandparenting Proposal Preparation service may assist you to develop a structured proposal setting out the arrangements you would like the other party to consider.
The proposal can be provided directly to the other party or through legal representatives and may also provide a useful starting point if mediation subsequently proceeds.
Can lawyers be involved?
Yes. We encourage parties to obtain independent legal advice where appropriate.
Your lawyer does not necessarily need to attend the mediation session itself. If lawyer participation is required, please see our Lawyer Assisted Mediation information and discuss this with your Mediator before the session is arranged.
Ready to get started?
To enquire or book your confidential Intake & Assessment session:
Call: 1300 90 81 70
Text: 0419 531 269
Email: reception@northernfrontiers.com.au
You can also ask about our FREE 15-minute initial consultation if you have questions before making a booking.
Grandparent Mediation – Frequently Asked Questions
What is Grandparent Mediation?
Grandparent Mediation is Family Dispute Resolution involving grandparents and other family members where there is disagreement about a child's care, contact or family relationships.
An accredited Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner provides an impartial process in which the parties can identify the issues in dispute, discuss their concerns, consider different options and work towards arrangements that are in the child's best interests.
The Mediator does not decide the outcome. The parties remain responsible for deciding whether they can reach agreement.
Can a grandparent apply for parenting orders?
Yes.
The Family Law Act specifically provides that a grandparent may apply for a parenting order relating to a child.
Other people concerned with the care, welfare or development of a child may also be able to apply.
This does not mean that a grandparent automatically receives the orders they request. Any parenting order made by a Court must be based on what the Court determines to be in the best interests of the child.
Can mediation help me see my grandchildren again?
Mediation cannot guarantee a particular outcome or require another person to agree to contact arrangements.
It can, however, provide a structured opportunity for grandparents and parents to discuss what has happened, identify concerns and consider whether arrangements can be developed that support the child's relationship with important family members where it is safe and appropriate.
Agreements may deal with face-to-face time, telephone or video communication, school holidays, special occasions and other practical arrangements.
What if I have been completely cut off from my grandchildren?
You can still contact Northern Frontiers and complete an individual Intake & Assessment session.
If assessed as appropriate, Northern Frontiers can then contact the relevant parent or other party and invite them to participate in Family Dispute Resolution.
You do not need to personally contact the other party first if you would prefer Northern Frontiers to manage the invitation process.
What happens if the other party refuses to participate?
An accredited Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner may be able to issue a section 60I certificate where another party refuses or fails to participate, provided the requirements for issuing the certificate have been met.
The issuing of a certificate is a professional decision made by the Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner and is not automatic simply because an Intake & Assessment session has been completed.
If mediation cannot proceed, you may also consider our Parenting / Grandparenting Proposal Preparation service.
What is a section 60I certificate?
A section 60I certificate is a certificate that can only be issued by an accredited Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner.
Generally, a person seeking parenting orders must file a section 60I certificate showing that Family Dispute Resolution has been attempted, unless an exemption applies.
Certificates are issued in the circumstances permitted by legislation, with the category determined by the accredited practitioner. Read our section 60I information and the Attorney-General’s certificate guidance for details.
The certificate allows a person to file an application for parenting orders. It does not determine who is right or what parenting arrangements a Court should make.
Can grandparents be included in a Parenting Plan?
Arrangements involving grandparents can form part of broader family discussions and agreements about children's care and family relationships.
Where agreement is reached during mediation, Northern Frontiers can prepare a Record of Parenting / Grandparenting Agreement recording the arrangements agreed between the parties.
Parties should obtain independent legal advice about the legal effect of any agreement and whether further formal documentation is appropriate.
Is Grandparent Mediation confidential?
Family Dispute Resolution conducted by an accredited Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner is confidential and communications made during FDR generally cannot be used as evidence in Court.
There are limited exceptions under the Family Law Act. Your Mediator will explain confidentiality and its limits before Family Dispute Resolution commences.
What if there are family violence or safety concerns?
Every person completes a separate and confidential Intake & Assessment before Family Dispute Resolution proceeds.
The Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner assesses whether mediation is appropriate, including consideration of family violence, child safety, power imbalances and each person's ability to negotiate freely and effectively.
Where appropriate, safeguards such as telephone, video or shuttle/no-direct-contact mediation may be considered.
If the practitioner determines that Family Dispute Resolution is not appropriate, the mediation will not proceed or may be discontinued.
What does the Northern Frontiers Grandparent Mediation process involve?
Step 1 – First Intake & Assessment
The person initiating mediation meets privately with the Mediator to explain the circumstances, identify the issues they would like discussed and complete the required suitability assessment.
Step 2 – Invitation to the other party
Where appropriate, Northern Frontiers contacts the other party or parties and invites them to participate in Family Dispute Resolution.
Step 3 – Additional Intake & Assessment sessions
Each participating party completes their own separate and confidential Intake & Assessment session.
Step 4 – Grandparent Mediation
If the matter is assessed as appropriate, a mediation session is arranged and facilitated by an accredited Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner.
Step 5 – Record the outcome
Where agreement is reached, Northern Frontiers can prepare a Record of Parenting / Grandparenting Agreement setting out the arrangements agreed between the parties.
Is Grandparent Mediation expensive?
Mediation provides families with an opportunity to attempt to resolve disagreements before becoming involved in lengthy legal correspondence or Court proceedings.
Northern Frontiers is a private, fee-for-service mediation provider offering prompt appointments and Australia-wide telephone and video services.
Grandparent Mediation uses our Parenting Mediation fee structure. View current pricing
How soon can I get started?
Intake & Assessment appointments are generally available within 2–3 business days of your initial enquiry.
If the matter is suitable for Family Dispute Resolution and the other party agrees to participate, mediation can then be arranged once the required Intake & Assessment sessions have been completed and the parties are available.
Appointments are available from 7.30am weekdays, with out-of-hours appointments available on a case-by-case basis.
Payment information
Unless otherwise agreed, each party is responsible for their own mediation costs.
Pre-payment is required for booked sessions. Cancellation and no-show conditions apply, so please review our Terms & Conditions of Service before making your booking.
Have some questions?
If you are unsure whether Grandparent Mediation is suitable for your circumstances, you are welcome to contact Reception and confidentially discuss the process before making a booking.
There is no obligation to proceed.
Call: 1300 90 81 70
Text: 0419 531 269
Email: reception@northernfrontiers.com.au
You can also contact us online or use the online chat function on this website.
Contact Northern Frontiers
Contact our Reception team to confidentially discuss your situation or find out more about any of our services.
There is no obligation to make a booking. If you are simply researching your options or are unsure which service is right for you, we are happy to answer your questions.
Northern Frontiers provides mediation and behavioural awareness programs Australia-wide by phone and video.
Call: 1300 90 81 70
Text or call: 0419 531 269
Email: reception@northernfrontiers.com.au
You can also send us a message using the enquiry form or use the online chat function on this webpage. Your enquiry will be treated confidentially. Please do not include highly sensitive information in the enquiry form.
Phone
1300 90 81 70
Mobile: 0419 531 269 (text or call)
LiveChat: If you have any questions about our services and don't have time to ring or email, feel free to use the online chat function (bottom right of this page).
Reception Opening Hours
Mon-Fri: 7.30 am – 8.00 pm. Last-minute sessions available for urgent matters. Text message 0419 531 269 for the fastest response.