Access Mediation — Reduced Contributions for Eligible Participants

Access Mediation is a limited reduced-contribution pathway for family mediation. Each participant's contribution is assessed individually based on their own income, assets, dependants, and hardship circumstances — not their partner's. Contributions range from $495 + GST to $1,295 + GST per person for a 3-hour session.

Eligibility is assessed on your personal gross annual income (generally below $150,000), accessible assets, number of dependants, any concession card status, and genuine hardship. Each case is reviewed individually. You can check your indicative contribution using our calculator above — it takes about 60 seconds.

Your contribution is based on your personal income, adjusted for accessible assets, dependants (3 or more), concession status, or material hardship. The maximum automatic reduction is one band. Any adjustment is applied to your contribution only — your partner's assessment is completely separate and private.

No. Each participant's financial assessment is entirely private. Your income, assets, hardship circumstances and contribution are never shared with the other participant, their lawyer, or anyone outside authorised staff. Participants may have different contributions — but neither party is told the financial basis for the other's contribution.

No. Access appointments are limited and allocated on a first-come, first-served basis within monthly capacity. Financial eligibility confirms your indicative contribution only — mediation suitability (including any family safety screening) is assessed separately by our staff before a booking is confirmed.

Access assistance is the difference between the standard individual contribution ($1,500 + GST for a 3-hour session) and your assessed Access contribution. For example, at the lowest band the Access assistance is $1,005 — reducing your contribution from $1,500 to $495 + GST. This assistance is funded by Mediations Australia and is not a government subsidy.

Section 60I certificates are issued following a recognised Family Dispute Resolution (FDR) process. If obtaining a certificate may be important in your circumstances, please tell us before booking so we can help identify the appropriate service and practitioner. If you are unsure whether you require one, speak with our team or obtain independent legal advice. We cannot issue a certificate in advance or guarantee one will be issued.

Generally, income above $150,000 per year attracts the standard contribution. However, if you have significant material hardship despite a higher income, our team will review your circumstances individually. Use the calculator to check, or call us on (02) 7227 7373 to discuss.

Our team reviews your application (usually within 1–2 business days), confirms your contribution and mediation suitability, and contacts you to arrange scheduling. If Access capacity is full for the current month, you will be placed on a waitlist and contacted as soon as a place becomes available.

Access Mediation is available for family law matters — parenting arrangements, property settlement, or both. It is not available for purely commercial or employment disputes. Matters involving family violence are carefully screened; contact us to discuss safety and suitability before applying.