Family Dispute Resolution

Calm, child-centred support

Family Dispute Resolution (FDR) is a specialised mediation process that helps separating or separated parents communicate constructively and work towards practical parenting agreements. The focus is on your children’s well-being, safety and ongoing needs.

Mediation can help parents discuss everyday care, changeovers, weekends, school holidays, birthdays and special occasions, healthcare decisions and communication arrangements.

Why choose Kelli-Anne

With more than a decade of experience across Child Protection, Mental Health and Youth Justice, I understand the challenges families can face during conflict and transition.

As an accredited Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner and Child Consultant, I offer a calm, structured approach to help parents reduce tension, explore workable options and keep their children’s best interests at the centre of discussions.

Flexible options for your family

Face-to-face: Sessions at our professional Aspley meeting rooms, with joint or separate rooms where appropriate.

Telephone: Sessions by phone, together or on separate lines through a shuttle process.

Video: Online sessions via Microsoft Teams, together or in separate virtual rooms.

The format is considered during intake and assessment, with attention to safety and each family’s circumstances. FDR may not be suitable in every situation.

Two adults talking with a professional in a calm consultation room.

A professional taking notes during a calm conversation with two adults.

How the process works

1. Individual intake and assessment
Each parent meets privately with the mediator - your former partner will not be present. We discuss your family’s circumstances, concerns and preferred outcomes, assess safety and suitability, and explain how the process works. If mediation proceeds, each party receives a Participation Agreement to review and sign, outlining the mediator’s impartial role, confidentiality and its limits, and respectful participation.

2. Mediation
Each parent has an opportunity to share their views and discuss the issues they would like to resolve. The mediator supports the conversation, identifies common ground and helps you explore options. Sessions may be joint or conducted through a shuttle process.

3. Private sessions
The mediator may speak privately with each parent to reflect on the discussion and consider possible options. How information from these conversations may be shared will be explained during the process.

4. Further discussion where appropriate
Where safe and appropriate, discussions continue together or through shuttle mediation to work towards arrangements both parents can accept.

After mediation
Where agreement is reached, the mediator can help record the agreed arrangements in writing. You may wish to obtain independent legal advice before formalising an agreement, including whether consent orders are appropriate. Follow-up sessions and reviews are available to discuss emerging issues and your children’s changing needs.

Questions and enquiries

Frequently asked questions

Do we have to be in the same room?
No. Shuttle mediation allows parents to participate from separate physical rooms, virtual rooms or telephone lines. Suitability and safety are assessed before and throughout the process.

Is FDR required before going to court?
Parents generally need to attempt FDR before applying for parenting orders, unless an exemption applies. Exemptions can include certain circumstances involving family violence, child abuse or urgency. Independent legal advice can help you understand the requirements in your situation.

What if we cannot agree?
A section 60I certificate may be issued where the legislative requirements are met. Issuing a certificate depends on the circumstances; it is not a guarantee of an agreement or a particular court outcome.

Is a parenting plan legally binding?
A parenting plan is not legally enforceable. You may wish to seek independent legal advice about formalising agreed arrangements through consent orders.

Is mediation confidential?
Most things said to an accredited FDR practitioner during FDR are confidential. Legal exceptions apply, including certain disclosures relating to child abuse, safety concerns and disclosures required or permitted by law. Separate rules also limit the use of FDR discussions as evidence. These protections and their limits will be explained before FDR begins.

Enquire about Family Dispute Resolution

Contact KA Family Well-being to enquire about intake and assessment and discuss whether Family Dispute Resolution may be suitable for your family.

Call 0420 292 115 or use the Contact & Referrals page. Please keep your initial enquiry brief; we can discuss how to provide further information when we make contact.