Everything you need to know before getting started
If you have questions about how mediation works, what to expect from the process or which service is right for your situation, you should find the answers here. If not, get in touch and our team can talk you through it.
Family Mediation / FDR
What is family mediation?
Family mediation supports families to have structured, facilitated conversations about parenting, separation, finances or changes in family arrangements. It provides a neutral process to work through issues and reach agreements outside of court.
What is Family Dispute Resolution?
What is the difference between family mediation and Family Dispute Resolution (FDR)?
Family mediation and FDR are similar in structure but serve different legal purposes. Family mediation is voluntary and does not involve court processes or certificates. FDR is a formal process required under Australian family law before parents can apply to the Court for parenting orders, unless an exception applies.
What is the difference between mediation and counselling?
Mediation is focused on reaching clear agreements on specific issues, with a defined process and outcome in mind. Counselling is more exploratory, helping you understand what is happening and improve communication before deciding on next steps. If counselling points toward mediation, that transition can be discussed and supported.
Which one do I need?
This depends on your circumstances and whether court proceedings are being considered. It can be discussed during an initial enquiry or individual session to help determine which service is most appropriate for your situation.
How does Settled manage safety in family mediation?
Safety is central to every family mediation process at Settled. This includes individual pre-mediation sessions, ongoing risk assessment, safety planning where required, separate arrival and departure times if needed, and the option of online mediation. Mediation will only proceed where it is assessed as appropriate and safe to do so.
What if I don't feel safe?
Safety is assessed at every stage of the process. If there are concerns about emotional or psychological safety, your mediator will work with you to determine whether mediation is appropriate and how it can be delivered safely. Separate sessions or online mediation may be used where needed.
Can you do mediation for pet arrangements?
Yes. Figuring out care arrangements for pets after separation can be difficult. Family/Relationship mediation can help with this.
What is a certificate?
A Family Dispute Resolution Certificate is a document issued by an accredited Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner (FDRP) following Family Dispute Resolution. In many cases, a certificate is required before a person can apply to the Court for parenting orders, unless an exemption applies.
What are the fees?
Please see our ‘Family Mediation’ page for information on fees.
Do I have to attend mediation before going to court?
In most parenting matters, yes. Australian family law generally requires parents to make a genuine attempt to resolve parenting disputes through Family Dispute Resolution (FDR) before applying to the Court. If mediation is unsuccessful, or if the other parent does not participate, an FDR Practitioner may issue a Certificate that can be filed with your court application.
There are some exceptions, including matters involving urgency, family violence, child abuse, or other circumstances where mediation is not appropriate.
Can mediation be done online?
Yes. Family Dispute Resolution can be conducted online via secure video conferencing, allowing parties to participate from different locations.
While online mediation can be a convenient option, we generally recommend attending in person where possible. Being in the same environment often allows for better communication, greater engagement in the process, and more productive discussions. If safety concerns, distance, work commitments, or other factors make in-person attendance difficult, online mediation remains an effective alternative
What if the other parent refuses to attend?
If the other parent declines an invitation to participate, does not respond, or refuses to engage in the process, you may still be able to proceed.
As a registered Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner, I can issue a Certificate confirming that mediation was attempted but could not proceed due to the other party’s non-participation. This Certificate may then be used when applying to the Court.
Many matters are resolved once the other parent understands the purpose of mediation and has an opportunity to discuss any concerns they may have.
Is mediation confidential?
Generally, yes. Mediation is a confidential process designed to encourage open and honest discussions.
This means that what is said during mediation usually cannot be used as evidence in Court. There are, however, some important exceptions. A Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner may be required to disclose information where there are concerns about a child’s safety, a risk of serious harm to a person, or where disclosure is otherwise required by law.
These confidentiality limits will be explained before mediation begins.
What is a parenting plan?
A Parenting Plan is a written agreement between parents that outlines how they will care for their children following separation.
A Parenting Plan can cover matters such as:
- Where the children will live
- Time spent with each parent
- School holiday arrangements
- Special occasions and birthdays
- Communication between parents and children
- Decision-making about education, health and other important matters
Parenting Plans allow parents to create arrangements that suit their family’s unique needs without requiring Court intervention.
Is a parenting plan legally binding?
No. A Parenting Plan is not legally enforceable by the Court.
However, it is an important written record of the agreement reached between parents and may be considered by the Court if future disputes arise.
If parents would like their agreement to become legally enforceable, they may choose to apply for Consent Orders through the Court.
What do I include in a parenting plan?
Every family is different, but a comprehensive Parenting Plan will often include:
- The children’s living arrangements
- Weekly care schedules
- School holiday arrangements
- Birthdays, Christmas and special occasions
- Changeover locations and times
- Communication arrangements between the children and each parent
- How major decisions will be made
- Procedures for resolving future disagreements
- How the parents will communicate with each other
- Any specific needs relating to the children’s health, education or wellbeing
A well-drafted Parenting Plan provides clarity, reduces misunderstandings, and helps parents focus on what is in their children’s best interests.
What if there has been family and domestic violence?
Family and domestic violence does not automatically prevent Family Dispute Resolution from occurring. In many cases, mediation can still proceed safely with appropriate safeguards in place.
Before any joint session is considered, each party participates in private pre-mediation meetings where safety, power imbalances, and suitability for mediation are carefully assessed. This helps determine whether mediation is appropriate and, if so, what adjustments may be needed.
Safety measures may include:
- Separate arrival and departure times
- Separate waiting areas
- Online mediation from different locations
- The presence of support persons where appropriate
- Additional safety planning before, during, and after the process
However, mediation is not suitable in every situation. If there are concerns that a party cannot negotiate freely or safely, or that the process would place someone at risk, mediation may be postponed, modified, or deemed inappropriate. In these circumstances, a Certificate may be issued where applicable, allowing the matter to proceed through other pathways.
The safety and wellbeing of all participants, particularly children, remains the highest priority throughout the process.
What is the difference between private mediation and Community based or Government funded Services?
Community-based or government-funded services often provide mediation at a reduced cost or on a sliding fee scale. These services can be a great option for many families, particularly where cost is a significant consideration. To manage high demand, many lower-cost services typically offer mediation in shorter sessions, often around 90 minutes in duration. Depending on the complexity of the issues, multiple sessions may be required. Wait times can also vary and may be longer than those available through private services.
Private mediation generally offers:
- Shorter wait times
- Greater flexibility in scheduling appointments
- Longer and more personalised pre-mediation sessions
- Longer joint mediation sessions, allowing more time to explore issues and work towards agreement
- Continuity with the same practitioner throughout the process
The most appropriate option will depend on your family’s circumstances, budget, urgency, and the level of flexibility and support you are seeking.
Please note that the legal requirements and Certificates available through Family Dispute Resolution are the same regardless of whether you attend a private or community-based service, provided the practitioner is a registered Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner.
Is financial/property settlement mediation available?
Yes. Settled offers mediation for financial and property settlement, whether you are married or in a de facto relationship. If you and the other party are able to negotiate, mediation can be a cost-effective and practical way to reach agreement without lengthy court proceedings.
During mediation, we can assist you to discuss matters such as:
- Division of assets and liabilities
- Superannuation
- The family home
- Businesses and investments
- Future financial arrangements
While mediation can help you reach an agreement, we do not provide legal advice or determine what is “fair.” We encourage both parties to obtain independent legal advice before formalising any agreement through Consent Orders or a Binding Financial Agreement.
Can you access mediation without having children?
Yes. Mediation is available whether or not you have children. If you and the other party need assistance resolving financial or property matters following separation, mediation can provide a structured, confidential and cost-effective way to reach an agreement.
If you have children under 18 and are seeking to resolve parenting arrangements, the process is known as Family Dispute Resolution (FDR). If your dispute relates only to financial or property matters, standard mediation is generally the appropriate process.
Workplace Mediation
What is workplace mediation?
Workplace mediation is a confidential, structured process that supports people at work to address conflict, improve communication and clarify expectations. A neutral mediator facilitates the conversation to help those involved understand each other’s perspectives and work toward practical outcomes.
What does the workplace mediation process look like?
The process begins with individual sessions with each participant. These sessions allow people to share their perspective, ask questions and prepare for joint discussion. If the matter proceeds, a joint session is facilitated in a structured and supported way, with breaks or private check-ins available where appropriate.
Where does workplace mediation happen?
Sessions are held at Cliftons Perth, a purpose-built mediation facility in the Perth CBD with private rooms, separate waiting areas and full confidentiality protocols. This ensures clients arrive, wait and depart without crossing paths unless they choose to. Sessions can also be held onsite at a workplace where appropriate.
Can workplace mediation be done online?
Yes. Online mediation is available and can be particularly useful where participants are in different locations or where in-person sessions are not suitable.
What does my employer get told about the mediation?
The mediation process is confidential. Employers are generally informed only of practical information, such as whether mediation has occurred or concluded, unless all parties agree to share additional information. Specific discussions, perspectives or outcomes are not disclosed without consent.
What if we cannot reach an agreement?
Not all mediations result in an agreement. If agreement is not reached, the mediator will work with participants on the next steps and available options. The focus is on ensuring everyone leaves the process with greater clarity and a clear sense of direction.
What if I don't feel safe?
Safety is assessed at every stage. If there are concerns about emotional or psychological safety, the mediator will work with participants to determine whether mediation is appropriate and how it can be delivered safely. Alternative arrangements, including separate sessions or online mediation, may be used.
What if I need a break during the session?
Breaks are always available. Participants can request a pause or a private check-in at any time during a session.
What are the fees?
Please see our ‘Workplace Mediation’ page for information on fees.
Business Partnership Workshops
What is the Business Partnership Workshop?
The Business Partnership Workshop is a structured, professionally facilitated process designed to support business partners to strengthen how they work together. It focuses on establishing common ground in the partnership, recognising that the working relationship between partners is foundational to business success.
Why should I invest in this?
Most business partnerships are formed without clear conversations about expectations, boundaries, decision-making or how conflict will be handled. This service creates the environment for those conversations to happen properly, in a neutral setting, before resentment or breakdown takes hold.
When partners are genuinely aligned, decision-making becomes clearer, communication improves and the business is better positioned to perform. Addressing the working relationship early prevents the kind of compounding tension that becomes significantly more costly to resolve later.
What kind of conversations are covered?
The specific focus is guided by the partners themselves, but common areas include roles and responsibilities, decision-making authority, finances and company spending, workload and working hours, communication expectations, how conflict will be raised and addressed, boundaries between work and personal life, and long-term goals.
What will we leave with?
Partners leave with a clear written plan covering shared goals, agreed expectations, rules of engagement and a practical path forward.
Where is the service delivered?
Sessions can be held onsite at one of your offices, at a confidential neutral location arranged by Settled, or online where appropriate.
What are the fees?
Please see our ‘Business Workshop’ page for information on fees.