Key takeaway: Private mediation is not the only option. Australia has free and low-cost family dispute resolution pathways — including Family Relationship Centres, community FDR, Legal Aid, and reduced-fee private mediation — and the right pathway depends on your circumstances, the complexity of your matter, and whether you qualify.
Do I Have to Pay for Mediation?
Not necessarily. Whether you pay for mediation depends on the type of service and provider you use. Government-funded and community services can be free or subsidised. Private mediation carries a fee — but some private providers, including Mediations Australia, offer assessed reduced-fee pathways for eligible participants.
The Attorney-General's Dept — Family Dispute Resolution maintains a register of approved family dispute resolution providers across Australia, including government-funded and community services that do not charge standard private rates.
Wondering whether a reduced-fee private pathway might be available to you?
See how Access Mediation works →What Are My Options If I Can't Afford Private Mediation?
There are several realistic pathways for people who cannot comfortably pay standard private mediation fees. The right choice depends on your eligibility, the urgency of your matter, and how complex the issues are.
1. Family Relationship Centres
Family Relationship Centres (FRCs) are government-funded services that provide free or low-cost family dispute resolution across Australia. They are operated by community organisations under Commonwealth Government funding.
Attorney-General's Dept — Family Relationship Centres lists the locations of FRCs around the country. Services at FRCs can be free or subsidised depending on your circumstances, and they are available for parenting matters and, in some cases, other family disputes.
Considerations: FRCs can have waiting lists. They may be better suited to simpler matters and may have limitations on the complexity of disputes they can manage. Check with the specific centre for their current eligibility and waiting times.
Family Relationships Online is the government's central directory for finding local family relationship services.
If an FRC isn't available or suitable, a reduced-fee private option may bridge the gap.
Explore Access Mediation →2. Community and Government-Funded FDR
Beyond FRCs, a range of community organisations and non-profits offer family dispute resolution at reduced or no cost. These are typically funded through government grants and operate in specific regions.
Availability varies considerably by location. Rural and remote areas can have limited access to community FDR services. Online delivery has expanded access in some areas, but not uniformly.
You can search for registered providers via Attorney-General's Dept — Family Dispute Resolution or contact Family Relationships Online to find local services.
3. Legal Aid Mediation
Legal Aid commissions in each state and territory provide legal assistance to eligible people on lower incomes. In the family law context, Legal Aid may fund participation in mediation or family dispute resolution for people who meet the means and merit tests.
National Legal Aid provides a national contact point, but eligibility is assessed separately by each state and territory commission. Eligibility generally depends on your income and assets, and the nature of the legal matter.
Important: Legal Aid funding is not guaranteed and may not cover all aspects of a matter. Availability varies between states. If you are not sure whether you qualify, contact your state Legal Aid commission directly.
4. Reduced-Fee and Fee-Assessed Private Mediation
Some private mediation providers offer a reduced-fee or fee-assessed pathway for people who cannot afford standard rates but do not qualify for free community services. Under these arrangements, participants are assessed individually based on their own income, assets, and circumstances — not their former partner's.
This is distinct from free mediation. A reduced-fee pathway still involves a cost, but it is calculated on what you can reasonably contribute based on your personal financial situation.
What If I Don't Qualify for Free Mediation?
Free and government-supported services have eligibility criteria. If you do not qualify — because your income is above the threshold, your matter is considered complex, or services are not available in your area — you may still have options.
Some private providers offer structured reduced-fee pathways. These sit between free community services and standard private mediation, and are intended for people in the gap: too financially capable for Legal Aid, but genuinely unable to pay standard private fees without hardship.
Access Mediation is designed specifically for this situation — assessed individually, not by your partner's income.
Check your indicative contribution →What If I Own a House But Don't Have Cash?
This is one of the most common situations for separating people in Australia. You may have a share of significant property, but that asset is not readily convertible to cash — particularly while a property settlement is unresolved, or while you are covering rent and household expenses after moving out.
Owning a home or having superannuation does not automatically mean you have accessible funds to pay for legal or mediation costs. Reduced-fee private mediation providers who assess financial capacity individually — rather than simply looking at asset ownership — will consider this distinction.
See Asset rich but cash poor: can I get reduced-fee mediation? for a full explanation of how financial capacity is assessed in this context.
Can I Mediate Without a Lawyer?
Yes. You can attend mediation without a lawyer. You do not need legal representation to participate in family dispute resolution.
That said, obtaining independent legal advice before or after mediation is strongly recommended — particularly for property matters. A lawyer can advise you on your entitlements before the session and help formalise any agreement reached without you needing to have them present throughout the process.
Many people consult a lawyer once before mediation, attend the session without legal representation, and then return to their lawyer to formalise the outcome. This approach can reduce costs significantly compared with having a lawyer present for the full mediation.
Mediation without a lawyer is straightforward. A free consultation can help you understand what to expect.
Book a free consultation →When Might Access Mediation Be Relevant?
Access Mediation is Mediations Australia's assessed reduced-contribution pathway for eligible participants in family mediation. It is designed for people who fall between two situations: they do not qualify for free or government-funded services, but standard private mediation fees would cause genuine financial hardship.
Under Access Mediation, each participant's contribution is assessed individually based on their personal income, accessible assets, dependants, and circumstances. The other participant's financial position does not affect your assessment.
Access Mediation is not free. Contributions start from $495 + GST per person for a 3-hour session. It is a private, reduced-fee pathway, not a government or Legal Aid service. Places are limited.
If you are in a family or property matter and standard fees are difficult, see how Access Mediation works and check your indicative contribution — it takes about 60 seconds.
General information only. This is not legal advice. For advice about your specific situation, consult a family lawyer or contact Legal Aid in your state.