Family Dispute Resolution

RAV offers a number of services, including education, information, counselling, family dispute resolution, conciliation and group work, to help couples who are separating to resolve their family law disputes. These disputes may include conflicts over child care, child support, financial arrangements and property settlement.

Family Dispute Resolution Services are provided to assist parents reach agreements that are in the best interests of their children and encourage separating couples to parent cooperatively. Parenting plans or agreements are used to assist in this process.

Family Dispute Resolution (FDR) is now compulsory, in that people who wish to go to court to resolve disputes in relation to their children (parenting matters), are now required to first attend FDR, and make a 'genuine effort' to resolve their disputes. Some exceptions to this requirement apply - for example, in situations involving family violence or child abuse, or in urgent matters.

More about the FDR Process

Family Dispute Resolution brochure - published by the Australian Government

To find out more about our Family Dispute Resolution Services or to make a booking, contact your nearest centre. View a list of RAV centres or Family Relationship Centres - Locations.

If you have a background in law, psychology, social work or dispute resolution and you are interested in a career in the expanding FDR field, view our Professional Training.

Parenting plans

A Parenting Plan is a resource to help separating parents work out arrangements for the care of their children. The checklist of questions will help you fill out the Parenting Plan.

• Parenting Plan: "Share the care - Collaborative parenting apart" (pdf)
• Parenting Plan Checklist (pdf)

Booklets about separation

Relationships Australia (Victoria) has produced two free booklets to help men and women who are going through separation and divorce. The booklets have been developed to provide accessible and useful information and emotional support for those entering this period of complex considerations about the best ways forward.

• Women and Separation (pdf)
• Men and Separation (pdf)

There is also a copy of the booklet “Men & Separation” for migrant men, available in English and Arabic.

• Migrant Men and Separation - English (pdf)
• Migrant Men and Separation - Arabic (pdf)
• Migrant Men and Separation - Vietnamese (pdf)

There is also a booklet available that encourages separating parents to consider the best interests of their children during the separation process.

• What about the children? (pdf)

This brochure explains the value of consulting your children during the family dispute resolution process.

• Hearing your child's voice in family dispute resolution (pdf)

The Child Support Agency offers the following resources:

• Me and My Money (pdf) - information booklet for separated parents
• Family Separation: A Guide for Teens – website with information for teens going through separation