Parenting Mediation & Family Dispute Resolution
Struggling to reach agreement following separation?
Parenting Mediation, also known as Family Dispute Resolution (FDR), helps separated families work through disagreements about children’s care and parenting arrangements. An accredited Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner provides an impartial setting in which you can identify concerns, discuss options and work towards arrangements that meet your children’s needs.
Separation can bring uncertainty about day-to-day care, communication and the future. Mediation gives each participant an opportunity to be heard and to consider practical proposals. The Mediator does not take sides, decide who is right or impose an outcome. Agreement is reached by the participants themselves.
Northern Frontiers provides Parenting Mediation Australia-wide by telephone and video, including Microsoft Teams, Zoom and FaceTime. In-person appointments may be available by arrangement. The format is discussed during your private Intake & Assessment, including whether direct discussion or shuttle/no-direct-contact arrangements are appropriate.
View current Parenting Mediation pricing.
Do I need Family Dispute Resolution before going to Court?
People seeking parenting orders generally need to attempt Family Dispute Resolution before applying to Court, unless an exemption applies. Exemptions can include circumstances involving family violence, child abuse or urgency. Obtain independent legal advice about the requirements and options that apply to your situation.
Our accredited practitioners can issue a section 60I certificate where the legislative requirements are met. Payment for an Intake & Assessment does not automatically entitle a person to a certificate or a particular certificate category.
Start with a confidential Intake & Assessment
Each participant meets privately with the Mediator before a mediation session proceeds. This is an opportunity to explain your circumstances, identify the issues you would like to discuss and raise safety concerns, existing orders, communication difficulties or other needs that may affect participation.
The practitioner assesses suitability before and throughout FDR. Where appropriate, Northern Frontiers can contact the other party and invite them to participate. You do not need to approach them yourself if you would prefer us to manage the invitation process. Mediation proceeds only where the practitioner assesses it as appropriate.
Why choose Northern Frontiers?
- Individual attention: work with an accredited Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner who considers your family’s circumstances.
- Flexible participation: telephone and video appointments allow you to participate from a suitable private location without travelling.
- Separate participation where appropriate: discuss shuttle arrangements and other safeguards during Intake & Assessment.
- Parenting and property: both can be considered within the broader process where appropriate. You generally need only one intake session with Northern Frontiers even if both are involved.
- Independent advice: your lawyer can help you consider proposals and the legal effect of any agreement. Discuss any proposed lawyer attendance with your Mediator in advance.
Ask Reception about current appointment availability. Timing depends on suitability, preparation and the availability of everyone involved. If one party is legally represented and the other is not, our arrangements use no-direct-voice-contact mediation; discuss the format and your lawyer’s role before booking.
What if the other party is not ready to mediate?
Our Parenting Proposal Preparation service can help you organise a proposed parenting arrangement for the other party to consider. This is an individual service, not a substitute for the formal FDR process or a guarantee of a section 60I certificate. If both parties later agree to mediate, the proposal may provide a useful starting point.
For financial settlement issues, see Property & Financial Mediation and Property Proposal Preparation.
Ask a question or arrange your first appointment
Call 1300 90 81 70, text 0419 531 269 or email reception@northernfrontiers.com.au. Ask about a free introductory consultation or use our online enquiry form. There is no obligation to book.
Parenting Mediation – Frequently Asked Questions
How can mediation help children after separation?
Predictable routines, reliable arrangements and less exposure to adult conflict can help children adjust to separation. Mediation encourages participants to focus on children’s needs and practical arrangements rather than revisiting every disagreement between adults. It cannot guarantee agreement or remove the need for specialist support where safety or other concerns exist.
What parenting matters can we discuss?
Your agenda can include matters relevant to your children, such as:
- where children live and time with each parent
- school holidays, birthdays and other special occasions
- education, health and medical decisions
- transport and changeover arrangements
- telephone and video contact
- communication between parents
- passports, travel and proposed relocation
- cultural and religious matters
- relationships with grandparents and other significant people.
Discuss proposed agenda items with the Mediator during Intake & Assessment. Some issues, including urgent recovery or relocation concerns and the effect of existing Court orders, need prompt independent legal advice. Do not delay seeking advice while waiting for mediation.
Who can start the process?
Parents and other people concerned with a child’s care, welfare and development can enquire about Family Dispute Resolution. This may include grandparents, step-parents and other family members. The practitioner will discuss who needs to participate and whether the process is appropriate. See Grandparent Mediation for more information.
What happens if the other party refuses or fails to attend?
Northern Frontiers can invite the other party after the initiating participant’s Intake & Assessment. Where another party refuses or fails to attend, the FDRP considers whether the requirements for a certificate have been met. A non-response does not automatically trigger a certificate on a fixed deadline.
What types of section 60I certificate are available?
The five categories cover:
- non-attendance because another party refused or failed to attend
- FDR assessed as inappropriate before it began
- attendance with a genuine effort by everyone
- attendance without a genuine effort by one or more participants
- FDR started but was later assessed as inappropriate to continue.
The accredited practitioner determines the appropriate category. A certificate relates to the Court filing process; it does not decide the parenting dispute. Read the Attorney-General’s guidance on FDR certificates or our section 60I information.
What happens if we reach agreement?
Northern Frontiers can prepare a Record of Parenting Agreement describing what you have agreed. Obtain independent legal advice about whether to document arrangements as a Parenting Plan or apply for Consent Orders. A written record is not automatically a Court order. A proposal prepared by one party is not itself a Parenting Plan agreed by both parents.
Is mediation confidential and safe?
FDR has confidentiality protections and limits under the Family Law Act. The practitioner explains these before you proceed. Raise family violence, child safety, coercion, power imbalances and any restrictions on contact during your private assessment. Telephone, video or shuttle arrangements may be considered where appropriate, but mediation may be unsuitable or need to stop.
What does Parenting Mediation cost?
Northern Frontiers is a private, fee-for-service provider. The Pricing page sets out intake fees, mediation rates and administration charges. Each participant ordinarily pays their own costs unless another arrangement is agreed. Review our Terms & Conditions before booking.
Do I need parenting education as well?
The Parenting After Separation Awareness Program supports individual learning about children’s needs and parenting following separation. It is separate from FDR and does not negotiate parenting arrangements or itself provide a section 60I certificate.
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.