Family Mediation in Brisbane
Family Mediation Brisbane
Supporting you to resolve parenting and property disputes – calmly, fairly and with your chlld in mind.
Separation can be overwhelming — especially when it comes to parenting and property decisions. Our Family Dispute Resolution Mediation process is designed to reduce conflict and help you move forward with clarity and compassion. Whether you attend in-person at our Brisbane clinic or online from anywhere in Australia, you’ll be guided by a child-focused, psychologist-led approach to mediation.
What Is Family Dispute Resolution Mediation (FDRP)?
Family Dispute Resolution (FDRP) is a structured, legally recognised form of mediation that helps separating or separated parents reach practical agreements about parenting, property, or finances — without the need for court.
It is a required step before court proceedings, and when appropriate, a Section 60I certificate can be issued to confirm an attempt at mediation has been made.
About Your Mediator
Larne Wellington is a Registered Psychologist, accredited Family Dispute Resolution Provider (FDRP) and Parenting Coordinator under the Family Law Act, and the Principal Psychologist at Positive Families. With extensive experience supporting children and families through separation, Larne brings a compassionate, child-focused lens to every mediation.
Larne offers support with:
– Parenting agreements and parenting plans
– Resolving parent-teen or co-parenting conflict
– Property and financial matters post-separation
What is Child-Inclusive Mediation?
Sometimes, children need a space to gently share how they’re feeling about separation. In child-inclusive mediation, your child can speak privately with a qualified child consultant. With your child’s permission, their feedback is shared with both parents to support more informed, child-centred decisions.
At Positive Families, we believe children deserve a voice — not a choice. Our approach helps parents truly understand their child’s perspective, without burdening them with adult decisions.
Why choose Positive Families for Mediation?
✅ Led by a psychologist with extensive expertise in child development and post-separation care
✅ Accredited FDRP under the Family Law Act
✅ Child-inclusive, trauma-informed approach
✅ Mediation available in Brisbane (Ashgrove) and online nationwide
✅ Support for parenting and property matters
The Mediation Process – what to expect
1. Initial Intake: Each parent meets individually with Larne to explore suitability and safety for mediation.
2. Agreement to Mediate: If appropriate, a mediation agreement is signed.
3. Optional Child Consultation: Your child may speak privately with a child consultant to share their experience (if both parents agree).
4. Joint Mediation Session(s): You’ll work together to resolve issues and build agreements — with a clear focus on the child’s wellbeing.
5. Post-Mediation Support: A summary of agreements may be provided, and referrals for further support can be offered if needed.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is Mediation?
Family Law Mediation is a process which allows people affected by separation and divorce to sort out their disputes with each other. You may have reached a point where you can’t agree on issues concerning your property, children or money. Support to solve these differences will save you time, money and stress!
What information will a Mediator provide?
Family dispute resolution providers must inform you about various matters, such as the process, their qualifications, and fees before family dispute resolution can be started.
If you are trying to resolve disagreements about your children, the family dispute resolution practitioner must give you information about parenting plans and other services available to help you.
Family dispute resolution practitioners are also required to provide you with the particulars about a complaints mechanism which you can use should you wish to complain about the services they provide to you.
Before family dispute resolution can commence, an assessment will be made to see whether family dispute resolution is suitable for your situation.
In order to make informed decisions, each party should obtain independent legal advice about their legal rights and obligations prior to coming to mediation.
Who is a ‘registered' Family Dispute Resolution Provider (FDRP)?
A registered family dispute resolution provider is an individual who has met the required standards of training, experience and suitability for inclusion on the Family Dispute Resolution Register. Registered family dispute resolution providers can conduct family dispute resolution and, if needed, issue a certificate for you to take to court to confirm that an attempt at family dispute resolution was made.
What is compulsory Family Dispute Resolution (FDR)?
Family dispute resolution, also known as mediation, can provide people affected by separation and divorce with an effective and alternative method to the court system. If you want to apply to the court for a parenting order (and you had not applied before 1 July 2007) you will need a certificate from a registered family dispute resolution provider.
A family dispute resolution practitioner can help you and the other person discuss issues, look at options, and to develop arrangements for your children.
Is Mediation right for me?
Mediation is for any parent who would like assistance to resolve difficulties and conflict. Each of you can have your say with an independent, impartial facilitator guiding the process, key issues can be identified and discussed, options can be developed and negotiated and agreements can be reached.
Are children involved in mediation?
Children do not attend mediation. However, their views and the best interests of the child should be given consideration in the process of attempting to resolve post-separation disputes. Child-inclusive practice gives children an opportunity to participate in the process.
What is child-inclusive practice?
Child inclusive practice is when the dispute resolution process includes a trained child specialist, who may also be the mediator, who meets with and assesses the child and provides the parents with feedback. Research indicates that parents who include their children in the dispute resolution process in this way are happier with the plans/agreements they make for their children.
Child-inclusive mediation is only undertaken in suitable circumstances (eg. when it is safe to do so, the child is at least five years of age, all parties, including the child, agree, and the specialist/s consider that it will assist the process) and is not used to side with one or other of the parties.
How does the child consultation work?
A child consultation session lasts for approximately 90 minutes where the child is encouraged and supported, through drawings and play, to explore their experience. They are not asked to make family decisions or to take sides.
Feedback from the children’s session is discussed with parents at a follow up session to help them understand and accommodate their child’s unique needs in the negotiation of separation parenting arrangements. The consultation can help you understand how your children are feeling and coping when there is conflict or difficulty in the family after separation and divorce. A child’s development is significantly impacted by conflict. A child consultation will assist you to create the best environment for your children in difficult circumstances.
Is Mediation confidential?
Under the Family Law Act, a Family dispute resolution practitioner is required to keep everything you say confidential – except in certain circumstances, such as where you give consent, or to prevent a serious threat to someone’s life or health or to prevent the commission of a crime. A family dispute resolution practitioner must also report child abuse.
The Mediator can not divulge information to the other party and must remain impartial until the Mediation commences. Therefore, the Mediator will not be giving advice, making suggestions, or commenting on your situation etc in the Intake Interview.The Mediator can not divulge information to the other party and must remain impartial until the Mediation commences. Therefore, the Mediator will not be giving advice, making suggestions, or commenting on your situation etc in the Intake Interview.
What happens in FDR mediation?
Step 1: Contact us and request mediation information. For Family Dispute Resolution (FDR) sign and return the Information Acknowledgement Form.
Step 2: Once we have received your Information Acknowledgement Form we will contact you to arrange an Intake Interview. The mediator will meet with you separately for approximately 1.5 hours. The aim of the session is to help prepare you for mediation and give you the opportunity to clarify any issues or concerns you have. The mediator will also determine whether mediation is appropriate in your situation.
Step 3: Once Intake Interviews have been completed for both Parties and an FDR/Mediation process deemed an appropriate one, an appointment for the mediation session will be arranged.
Step 4: Both parties must complete an “Agreement to Mediate” form which must be signed and forwarded to our office.
Step 5: If a child consultation is required this will be arranged, as well as a parent feedback session, prior to the mediation
Step 6: The mediation session will be booked for a minimum 3 hours. Both parties explore the issues until workable solutions and agreement is reached.
Step 7: If agreements are reached the parties draft a written agreement, with the Mediator’s assistance.
Additional steps may be considered:
Step 8: Take the written summary to a solicitor for independent legal advice and to draft Consent orders.
Step 9: Decide whether to register the agreement with the Family Court.
How long does FDR mediation take?
Mediation sessions are booked for a minimum of 3 hours which includes a refreshment break and separate interviews if required. Depending on the number of issues to be resolved, it may take more than one session to reach agreement on all outstanding issues.
What happens to any agreement reached in FDR?
If you want to make your final parenting plan or other agreement legally binding, you can apply to the court for a consent order. You can do this yourself or ask your lawyer to do it for you.
If you reach an agreement on arrangements for your child, this can be recorded as a parenting plan. To be recognised under the Family Law Act, a parenting plan must be in writing, dated and signed by both parents. Your parenting plan can include details on how the plan can be changed and how disagreements about the plan will be resolved. Agreements can be renegotiated over time, if necessary.
What if I don't attend or make a genuine effort?
- take this into account in deciding costs (you could be ordered to pay some or all of the other party’s legal costs), and/or
- order you and the other party to attend family dispute resolution.
If the other party attends mediation and proceeds to court and you don’t attend or you don’t make a genuine effort to resolve the dispute the court may:
How much does FDR mediation cost?
The cost of mediation varies according to the services offered and the time required. Please contact us for more information.
How do I get started?
For an Information pack please complete the form below or email
info@positivefamilies.com.au
For more information and fee details complete the form below
Family Mediation Enquiry Form
Take a constructive step forward. Fill in the form below and our accredited Brisbane mediators will be in touch to discuss how we can help.