Parenting Plans
Parenting Plans & Family Mediation Services Australia-Wide
A parenting plan is a structured agreement between parents that outlines how children will be cared for after separation. Our family mediation services guide parents in creating child-focused arrangements, reducing conflict, and avoiding unnecessary court proceedings.
At Mediation for Families, our team of family dispute resolution practitioners (FDRPs) provides professional guidance, ensuring parenting plans meet both the best interests of the child and legal requirements across Australia.
What is a Parenting Plan?
A parenting plan is a written agreement detailing each parent’s responsibilities regarding their children’s care. Key aspects typically include:
Where children will live and who will care for them
How much time children spend with each parent
Decision-making responsibilities for education, health, and activities
Communication methods between parents and with the children
Handling holidays, special occasions, and potential relocations
When signed and dated by both parents, the document becomes a formal parenting plan that can guide day-to-day arrangements while reducing the need for court intervention.
The Legal Framework – Child-Focused Family Dispute Resolution
The Family Law Act 1975 emphasises a child-focused approach to family dispute resolution. Part VII of the Act prioritises children’s safety, welfare, and development in all parenting arrangements.
Our family dispute resolution services ensure parenting plans comply with the Family Law Act and are tailored to your family’s unique circumstances. Choosing Mediation for Families ensures you have expert family mediators who guide parents to achieve sustainable agreements in the child’s best interest.
How a Child-Focused Parenting Plan Works
A child-focused parenting plan prioritises the needs of the child, providing clear guidance for parents while reducing conflict. Our family mediators assist parents with:
Parental responsibility and decision-making
Living arrangements and time allocation
Special occasions and holiday planning
Changeovers and handovers
Communication between parents and with the child
Managing medical, counselling, or educational needs
Travel, relocation, and passport arrangements
Mechanisms for resolving disputes and reviewing plans
By facilitating open communication, our mediation for families services help create parenting plans that are both practical and legally robust.
Why Choose Mediation for Families
When it comes to family mediation and parenting plans, choosing the right service can make all the difference. Mediation for Families is a premium provider Australia-wide because we offer:
Expert Family Mediators – Our Registered Family Dispute Resolution Practitioners specialise in parenting plans and conflict resolution.
Child-Focused Solutions – Every agreement prioritises the child’s best interests.
Efficient & Cost-Effective Process – Avoid lengthy court battles and save time and stress.
Nationwide Reach – We provide professional family mediation services across Australia.
Comprehensive Support – From standard parenting plans to child-inclusive mediation, we guide families every step of the way.
Choosing Mediation for Families means engaging a trusted family mediator who delivers structured, sustainable, and child-focused agreements.
Voluntary Nature and Benefits of Parenting Plans
Parenting plans are voluntary but provide a practical, legally-informed framework for co-parenting. While not directly enforceable, a clear and comprehensive parenting plan can reduce conflict and make future agreements or court processes smoother if needed.
Our family dispute resolution practitioners ensure that parenting plans are well-drafted, enforceable where necessary, and tailored to each family’s specific circumstances.
Start Your Parenting Plan Today
A parenting plan is more than a document — it’s a roadmap for successful co-parenting after separation. By engaging Mediation for Families, you gain access to premium family mediation services that focus on:
Sustainable, child-focused parenting plans
Resolving disputes amicably and confidentially
Avoiding court proceedings wherever possible
Our expert family mediators combine legal knowledge, professional experience, and empathetic guidance to help families across Australia reach agreements that last.