What does a parenting plan cover?
A parenting plan is a written agreement that sets out the practical arrangements for raising your children after separation. A thorough plan usually covers:
- Where the children live and how time is shared between parents
- How handovers, holidays and special occasions work
- How major long-term decisions (school, health, religion) are made
- How parents will communicate and resolve future disagreements
- Arrangements for travel, including overseas
For a full checklist of what to include, see our parenting plan template guide.
How does parenting plan mediation work?
Mediation is a structured conversation guided by a neutral, accredited practitioner. It usually runs in a few stages:
- Intake — each parent meets the mediator separately so the issues, and any safety concerns, are understood before you begin.
- Joint sessions — you work through each part of the plan with the mediator keeping the focus on the children, not the past.
- Drafting — the agreement is written up as a clear parenting plan both parents sign.
- Formalising (optional) — if you want it enforceable, the plan is converted into consent orders.
If being in the same room is difficult, sessions can run in separate rooms ('shuttle' mediation) or online by video.
| Parenting plan | Consent orders | Contested court case | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Legally enforceable | No, but courts consider it | Yes | Yes |
| Who decides | The parents | The parents (court approves) | A judge |
| Typical timeframe | One or two sessions | Weeks once agreed | One to three years |
| Flexibility to change | High — by agreement | Needs a new application | Needs a new application |
Is a parenting plan legally binding?
A parenting plan itself is not legally enforceable, but it carries real weight — a court will consider it if a dispute later arises. If you want a binding outcome, your agreement can be turned into consent orders, which are enforceable. Many families start with a parenting plan and formalise it once arrangements have settled.
The children's best interests come first
Whatever you agree, the Family Law Act 1975 requires arrangements to be made in the best interests of the child. Reforms that took effect in 2024 simplified the factors a court weighs and put the safety and developmental needs of children at the centre. A good plan reflects each child's age and stage — younger children usually need shorter, more frequent contact, while teenagers need arrangements that respect school, friends and activities. The Family Relationships Online service and Australian Institute of Family Studies are useful starting points for the evidence on what helps children adjust.
Common care arrangements parents agree in mediation
There's no single 'right' arrangement — the best one fits your children's ages, your work, and how far apart you live. These are the patterns separated parents most often land on, and mediation helps you choose or tailor one rather than have a court impose it:
| Arrangement | How it works | Often suits |
|---|---|---|
| Week about | Alternating weeks with each parent | School-age children; parents living close |
| 5-2-2-5 | Fixed weekdays with each parent, alternating weekends | Families wanting predictable routine |
| Alternate weekends | Primary home with one parent, every second weekend (plus a weeknight) with the other | Younger children; longer distances |
| Tailored | Built around shift work, travel or a child's needs | Any family that doesn't fit a template |
Research consistently shows children adjust best when conflict is low and both parents stay involved — which is exactly what mediation is designed to protect.
Is this the same as child custody mediation?
In practice, yes. 'Custody' is an older word that Australian family law no longer uses — today the focus is on parental responsibility and the time children spend with each parent. So if you're searching for child custody mediation, parenting plan mediation is the process you're after. It's also where ongoing co-parenting gets easier: a clear plan removes the weekly friction over handovers, holidays and decisions, so you spend less energy negotiating and more parenting.
When parenting mediation isn't appropriate
Mediation depends on both parents being able to negotiate safely. Where there is family violence, a child-safety concern or a serious power imbalance, it may not be suitable — and you may be exempt from the requirement to attempt it. Your safety and your children's safety come first. If you're in immediate danger call 000; for confidential support, 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732) is available 24/7. See family violence and family law.
Do we have to mediate before going to court?
For most parenting matters, yes. Under the Family Law Act you must make a genuine attempt at family dispute resolution before applying for parenting orders, unless an exemption applies. You'll need a Section 60I certificate to file — which we can issue as part of your mediation.
How long does it take, and what does it cost?
Most families reach a workable parenting plan in one or two sessions over a few weeks — a fraction of the time and cost of a contested parenting case, which can run for one to three years. Keeping the matter out of court also keeps the decisions with the people who know the children best. See what mediation costs → or read more on child custody mediation.