Key takeaway: Family mediation can be free in Australia through government-funded Family Relationship Centres, community FDR providers, and, for eligible people, Legal Aid. However, free services have eligibility requirements, can have waiting times, and are not always available for complex matters. If you do not qualify, reduced-fee private mediation may be an option.
When Can Family Mediation Be Free?
Family mediation can be free in Australia when accessed through government-funded or community services. These services are subsidised by Commonwealth or state government funding, which means eligible participants do not pay — or pay only a nominal amount.
Free mediation is not available on demand. It depends on:
- the provider and their eligibility criteria;
- your location (services are not equally available everywhere);
- the nature and complexity of your dispute;
- current waiting times and service capacity;
- whether the service can handle your particular type of matter.
Family Relationship Centres
Family Relationship Centres (FRCs) are government-funded services that offer family dispute resolution at no cost or low cost to eligible families. They are located across Australia and can be found through Family Relationships Online.
FRCs primarily deal with parenting matters. For a first session of up to one hour, the service is generally free. Longer sessions may involve a small subsidised fee depending on the provider and your income.
FRCs can issue section 60I certificates, which are required before filing parenting orders in court under the Family Law Act 1975.
Limitations to be aware of: FRCs can have significant waiting times. They may not be well-suited to matters involving complex property issues, businesses, superannuation disputes, or high-conflict situations. Their mediators are generalist FDR practitioners rather than specialist accredited mediators.
Community FDR Providers
Beyond FRCs, a range of community organisations funded by the Commonwealth or state governments provide family dispute resolution at no cost or low cost. These services are typically operated by charities, legal aid bodies, or community legal centres.
Availability varies significantly by state and region. The Attorney-General's Dept — Family Dispute Resolution lists registered FDR providers across Australia, including community services.
Like FRCs, community providers can have waiting times and may not handle complex property or high-conflict matters.
Legal Aid Mediation
Each state and territory has a Legal Aid commission that provides legal assistance to eligible people on lower incomes. In some circumstances, Legal Aid may fund or facilitate participation in mediation as part of a broader family law matter.
National Legal Aid provides a national contact point. Eligibility is assessed by each state commission based on a means test (your income and assets) and a merit test (the nature of the dispute).
Legal Aid funding is not automatic and availability differs between states. In some jurisdictions, Legal Aid runs its own mediation or conciliation conferences for eligible parties.
Not sure if you qualify for free mediation? A free consultation can help clarify your options.
Book a free consultation →When Might You Have to Pay?
You will generally need to pay for mediation when:
- your income or assets are above the eligibility threshold for free services;
- your matter is too complex for community FDR providers;
- free services have long waiting times and you need to resolve the matter sooner;
- you want greater control over the mediator, timing, and process;
- your matter involves business interests, investment property, or complex superannuation issues;
- community services are not available in your location;
- the other party wants a private mediator.
What If You Don't Qualify for Free Mediation?
Not qualifying for free mediation does not mean standard private fees are your only option. Some private mediation providers offer a reduced-fee or fee-assessed pathway for people who cannot comfortably pay standard rates but do not meet the eligibility criteria for free government-funded services.
Under these arrangements, each participant's contribution is assessed individually based on their own income, accessible assets, and circumstances — not their partner's. This means participants in the same mediation can pay different amounts.
Reduced-Fee Private Mediation
Reduced-fee private mediation sits between free community services and standard private mediation in terms of cost. It is a privately delivered service with an assessed, lower contribution for eligible participants.
It is typically more flexible than government-funded services in terms of timing, mediator choice, and the complexity of matters it can handle. However, it is not free — participants contribute based on their assessed financial capacity.
Is Access Mediation Free?
No. Access Mediation is not free mediation. It is Mediations Australia's reduced-contribution pathway for eligible participants in family and property matters. Contributions start from $495 + GST per person for a 3-hour session and are assessed individually based on your personal income, accessible assets, dependants, and circumstances.
Access Mediation is a private service operating on a reduced-fee basis. It is not a government or Legal Aid service, and it does not provide free mediation. If you are eligible for free government-funded services and they suit your matter, you should consider using them first.
Access Mediation is not free — but your contribution is assessed individually and may be significantly lower than standard rates.
Check your indicative contribution →How to Choose the Right Option
| Option | Cost | Eligibility | Waiting time | Complexity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Family Relationship Centre | Free to low-cost | Most families; parenting focus | Can be significant | Simpler matters |
| Community FDR | Free to subsidised | Varies by provider | Varies by provider | Simpler to moderate |
| Legal Aid | Free if eligible | Means + merit test | Variable | Varies by service |
| Reduced-fee private (e.g. Access Mediation) | Assessed contribution | Income + asset assessment | Generally faster | Full range |
| Standard private mediation | $1,500–$2,250 per party | No eligibility criteria | Flexible | Full range |
If you are unsure which option suits you, the starting point is whether you qualify for a free or subsidised service. If you do, and the service can handle your matter in a reasonable timeframe, that is generally the most cost-effective path. If you do not qualify, or if community services cannot meet your needs, a reduced-fee private pathway may be the practical alternative.
See Can't afford mediation? Your options in Australia for a fuller explanation of all available pathways.
General information only. This is not legal advice.