In this guide
Key takeaway: Free family dispute resolution, funded through Family Relationship Centres, is an excellent, low-cost option — especially for parenting matters. Private mediation costs more but typically offers shorter wait times, longer and more flexible sessions, and is better suited to complex property and financial settlements that need to be drafted and formalised quickly. Many families use the free system first and turn to private mediation when matters are complex or urgent.
Two systems, both legitimate
When people search for 'free mediation' they sometimes assume private mediation is just the same thing with a price tag. It isn't quite. Australia deliberately runs two complementary systems: a publicly funded network designed to make family dispute resolution accessible to everyone, and a private profession that offers more capacity and flexibility for those who need it. Neither is 'better' in the abstract — the right choice depends on your matter.
Free and subsidised mediation: how it works
The government funds Family Relationship Centres across the country, which you can find through Family Relationships Online. They provide family dispute resolution for parenting matters, with the first hours often free and further sessions charged on a sliding scale based on income. The Attorney-General's Dept — Family Dispute Resolution oversees this system. It's a genuinely good option: the practitioners are accredited, and for many separating parents it resolves things well. The trade-offs are practical — demand is high, so wait times for an appointment can be weeks or months, sessions can be shorter, and the centres focus primarily on parenting rather than complex property and financial settlements.
Not sure which path fits your situation? Book a consultation and we'll give you an honest steer — even if that's towards a free service.
Book a free consultation →Private mediation: how it differs
Private mediation is the same core process — a neutral, accredited mediator helping you reach agreement — but delivered with more capacity and flexibility. In practice that usually means you're seen within days rather than months, sessions are as long as the matter needs (often a full day, which can resolve everything in one sitting), and the service handles complex property settlements involving businesses, trusts and superannuation, then drafts the agreement and helps formalise it into consent orders. You pay for that — typically a fixed fee shared between the parties — but for many people the speed and the one-stop handling are worth it.
Private vs free mediation, side by side
| Free / subsidised FDR | Private mediation | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free to low (income-based) | Fixed fee, usually shared |
| Wait time | Weeks to months | Often days |
| Best for | Parenting matters | Complex property & financial settlements |
| Session length | Often shorter | As long as needed (full-day common) |
| Drafts & formalises agreement | Limited | Yes, in one place |
How to choose between them
A simple rule of thumb: if your matter is mainly about parenting, you're not in a hurry, and finances are straightforward, the free system is well worth trying first. If you have a complex property pool, you need to move quickly (for example to meet a settlement time limit), or you want everything resolved and formalised in one process, private mediation usually earns its fee. There's no shame in starting free and switching — and we'll tell you honestly which we think fits. See what private mediation costs on our mediation costs page.