How much does mediation cost in family law?
Family law mediation in Australia ranges from free (Family Relationship Centres) to $8,000-$20,000+ per party for legally-assisted private mediation. A standard private section 60I Family Dispute Resolution session costs $1,500-$3,500 per party. Free mediation is available through Family Relationship Centres under section 60I of the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth). Property mediation is typically $3,000-$10,000 per party.
Free and subsidised options
Family Relationship Centres (FRCs) — funded by the Australian Government, free for parenting mediation under section 60I of the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth). Eligible families get 3 hours free; additional sessions are charged on a means-tested basis ($30-$180). FRCs issue section 60I certificates required before most parenting court applications.
Private family dispute resolution
Private accredited FDR practitioners charge $400-$800 per hour. A standard 6-hour mediation costs $2,400-$4,800 total, split between parties. Property mediation (not required by section 60I but common): $2,500-$6,000 per party for a full-day session. Financial mediators (ex-judicial officers): $4,000-$10,000 per party.
Legally-assisted mediation
Where both parties are represented by solicitors, legal fees for mediation attendance are $3,000-$8,000 per party. Including mediator fees, total cost is typically $8,000-$20,000 per party for a full-day legally-assisted mediation. Collaborative law processes cost $15,000-$40,000 per party but avoid court.
How I reduce mediation preparation time
I assemble the financial disclosure, chronology, and position paper in mediator-ready format. For Australian family lawyers this cuts preparation time by 4-12 hours per mediation, passing savings directly to the client. A shorter prep also often leads to a tighter mediation position.
Common issues
- A section 60I certificate is required before most parenting applications — cannot skip mediation
- Property mediation is not required by statute but strongly encouraged by pre-action procedures
- Mediator choice matters — specialist financial mediators are better for complex property pools
Try Quillio on a real matter.
The fastest way to know if Quillio fits your practice is to use it on your own work. The free trial requires no credit card and no sales call.
Start your free trial