Key takeaway: Mediation fees depend on the dispute type. Family and separation mediation typically costs $1,500–$2,250 + GST per person per session; workplace and commercial matters are similar. Estate and property disputes are typically quoted by complexity. In all cases, mediation costs a fraction of what litigation runs — usually settled in weeks, not years.
Fees at a Glance — All Dispute Types
Mediations Australia handles family separation, workplace conflict, commercial disputes, estate and wills disagreements, and property matters. Fees are fixed and quoted before any session begins. Jump to the section that matches your dispute using the links in the table, or read the full guide below.
| Dispute type | 3.5-hour session | Full day | Typical timeframe to resolve |
|---|---|---|---|
| Family & separation | $1,500 | $2,250 | 1 day; 1–2 weeks to book |
| Workplace & employment | $1,500–$2,000 | $2,250–$3,500 | 1 day; often bookable within days |
| Commercial & business | from $2,000 | from $3,500 | 1–2 days |
| Estate & wills | from $1,500 pp | from $2,500 pp | 1–2 days |
| Property & real estate | from $1,500 pp | from $2,500 pp | Half day to full day |
All sessions include pre-mediation intake calls and, where relevant, a section 60I certificate or written agreement summary. Full fee schedule with all scenarios →
Family & Separation Mediation
Family mediation covers parenting arrangements, property settlement, consent orders, and the full range of post-separation decisions. It is the area where government-subsidised alternatives also exist — making it the most cost-variable type of mediation in Australia.
| Session | Per person | Both parties | Suits |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5-hour session | $1,500 | $3,000 | Parenting matters; focused property issues |
| Full day | $2,250 | $4,500 | Combined parenting and property; complex matters |
| Additional time / hr | $400 | $800 | Overruns |
| Section 60I certificate | Included — required for court filing on parenting matters | ||
Government-funded Family Relationships Online (Family Relationship Centres) offer free or low-cost FDR for parenting matters — useful for simpler arrangements, though private mediation handles complexity and combined property/parenting matters that FRCs typically can't. Our Access Mediation pathway offers assessed reduced fees from $495 + GST per person for eligible participants.
See: Family law mediation · Cost of divorce · Consent orders
Separating? Get a clear fixed quote before your first session.
Book a family mediation consultation →Workplace & Employment Mediation
Workplace mediation resolves conflicts between employees and employers, between colleagues, and in cases involving bullying, harassment, unfair dismissal, or breakdown in a working relationship. It is most often initiated by the employer — but employees can engage Mediations Australia independently.
| Engagement type | Indicative fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2-party dispute (half day) | from $1,500 per person | Interpersonal breakdown, team conflict |
| 2-party dispute (full day) | from $2,250 per person | Bullying, harassment, unfair dismissal matters |
| Multi-party / team mediation | Quoted by scope | More than 2 parties; complex team dynamics |
| Employer-funded sessions | Full session rate | Employer pays; employee outlay is nil |
The Fair Work Commission provides a free conciliation service for unfair dismissal and general protections claims — useful, but limited in scope and outcome flexibility. Private workplace mediation gives employers and employees more control over timing, outcome, and confidentiality.
See: Workplace bullying & harassment · Unfair dismissal mediation · Is mediation right for your dispute?
Workplace conflict rarely resolves itself. Get expert guidance on the right process.
Enquire about workplace mediation →Commercial & Business Mediation
Commercial mediation covers contract disputes, partnership disagreements, supplier or customer conflicts, franchise disputes, and business relationship breakdowns. Fees reflect the commercial complexity involved and are typically higher than family matters — but still a fraction of commercial litigation costs.
| Matter type | Indicative fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Standard commercial dispute | from $2,000 per person | Contract, supplier, customer conflicts |
| Complex / multi-party commercial | from $3,500 per person per day | Partnership breakdown, franchise, IP |
| Commercial lease dispute | from $1,500 per person | Landlord/tenant; retail and commercial leases |
Commercial litigation — even a relatively simple contract dispute — routinely costs $50,000–$200,000+ per side before it reaches a hearing. Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia data shows the median commercial dispute running 18–24 months. Mediation resolves the same matter in a day, with a binding outcome both parties craft.
See: Commercial mediation overview · Commercial dispute guide · Commercial lease disputes
Commercial disputes get expensive fast. Talk to us before costs escalate.
Enquire about commercial mediation →Estate & Wills Disputes
Estate disputes — contesting a will, challenging the distribution of an estate, or resolving executor conflicts — are emotionally charged and, in court, can consume a significant portion of the estate itself in legal fees. Mediation is particularly effective here because the parties are usually family members who will remain connected long after the dispute ends.
| Matter type | Indicative fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Will dispute (2 parties) | from $1,500 per person | Contesting validity, family provision claims |
| Estate distribution (multi-party) | from $2,500 per person per day | Multiple beneficiaries; complex assets |
| Executor conflict | from $1,500 per person | Executor vs beneficiary disagreements |
Contested probate proceedings and family provision claims under the Succession Act can run to six figures in legal costs — often more than the parties would have received had they simply mediated. The Attorney-General's Dept — Family Dispute Resolution notes that FDR is effective across a wide range of civil disputes including estate matters.
See: Estate dispute mediation · Contesting a will · Elder mediation
An estate dispute can consume what you're trying to protect. Talk to us first.
Enquire about estate mediation →Property & Real Estate Disputes
Property disputes span strata and neighbour conflicts, construction disagreements, real estate transaction disputes, and boundary or easement issues. These matters often involve people who will continue to have an ongoing relationship — making a negotiated resolution far more durable than a court order.
| Matter type | Indicative fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Neighbour / strata dispute | from $1,500 per person | Noise, boundaries, common property |
| Real estate / construction | from $1,500–$2,500 per person | Contract disputes, defects, delays |
| Co-owner dispute | from $1,500 per person | Sale, renovation, cost sharing |
Many property disputes can also be brought before VCAT or state tribunals at low cost — but tribunal proceedings are formal, adversarial, and create a public record. Private mediation resolves the same matter confidentially, usually in a single session.
See: Real estate mediation · Strata & neighbour disputes · Construction disputes
Property disputes don't have to go to tribunal. See how mediation works.
Enquire about property mediation →Access Mediation — Reduced-Fee Pathway for Family Matters
For family and separation matters, Mediations Australia offers Access Mediation — individually assessed reduced contributions for eligible participants who cannot comfortably pay standard rates. Each participant is assessed on their own income, accessible assets, dependants, and circumstances — not their former partner's financial position. Contributions start from $495 + GST per person. Assessment details are never shared with the other party.
| Band | 3.5-hour session | Full day |
|---|---|---|
| Band A (lowest) | from $495 | from $745 |
| Band B | from $745 | from $995 |
| Band C | from $995 | from $1,350 |
| Standard rate | $1,500 | $2,250 |
The same accredited mediators deliver every Access Mediation session. See also: can't afford mediation? and is family mediation free?
Check whether you qualify for a reduced contribution — the calculator takes 60 seconds.
Check your Access Mediation contribution →How Mediation Compares to Court — Across All Dispute Types
Regardless of dispute type, the same fundamental comparison holds. Courts are expensive, slow, adversarial, and public. Mediation is fast, private, and leaves the outcome in your hands. The figures differ by matter, but the direction never does.
| Dispute type | Mediation cost pp | Litigation cost per side | Mediation timeframe |
|---|---|---|---|
| Family / separation | from $495–$2,250 + GST | $30,000–$100,000+ | Weeks |
| Workplace | from $1,500 + GST | $20,000–$80,000+ | Days to weeks |
| Commercial | from $2,000 + GST | $50,000–$200,000+ | Days to weeks |
| Estate / wills | from $1,500 + GST | $40,000–$150,000+ | Days to weeks |
| Property | from $1,500 + GST | $10,000–$60,000+ | Half day to days |
Court cost ranges are indicative and vary significantly by complexity and jurisdiction. See FCFCOA fee schedule for current Family Court filing fees as a benchmark for family matters.
Why Mediation Is Worth It — for Any Dispute
Across every dispute type, mediation delivers the same core advantage over litigation: you stay in control of the outcome. A court imposes a decision; mediation produces an agreement. Agreements reached through mediation have a far higher voluntary compliance rate than court orders, because both parties had a hand in making them.
The other constants: mediation is confidential (no public record), typically resolved in days rather than years, and preserves whatever ongoing relationship exists — whether that's a co-parenting arrangement, a business partnership, or a neighbour you'll see every day. Mediations Australia handles all dispute types with nationally accredited mediators, fixed fees, and transparent process. How mediation works →