Family Dispute Resolution (FDR)
Family law matters don’t need to be complicated or take years to resolve. Family Dispute Resolution (FDR) is a supportive, practical pathway for separated parents to work through parenting arrangements (and, where appropriate, property and financial matters). We offer online FDR Australia-wide, helping families reach clear agreements with less stress, less conflict, and more confidence.
Empowering families to find a better way forward. why families choose fDR:
1. Conversation over confrontations
FDR creates a safe and respectful space, where open dialogue replaces legal battles. With a qualified practitioner guiding your path forward, you’re supported through the most sensitive times.
2. Affordable and accessible
FDR offers an affordable alternative to costly court proceedings, allowing you to focus your energy on what matters most.
3. Faster resolutions
Court processes can be long and draining. FDR offers the chance to resolve matters without tension or uncertainty — so you can move on with clarity and confidence.
4. You shape the outcome
FDR empowers you to create practical solutions. Rather than having decisions made for you in court, you collaborate on an agreement that reflects your family’s needs.
What sets Halo journey apart in fDR?
-
We’re not a one-and-done service. From prep to post-agreement support, we’re with you before, during and after your mediation.
-
Where children are involved, we keep their well-being at the heart of every decision. We guide healthy, future-focused parenting conversations.
-
You’ll be supported by a small team of big hearts and deep experience. With extensive backgrounds previously in law, children's psychology, psychotherapy, and property mediation, our FDR practitioners understand the emotional weight of family matters.
Our FDR-certified professionals are not just qualified — they’re kind, calm, and deeply committed to helping you move forward. Give us a call today to help you decide if Renee, or Evie would be a good fit for your situation.
-
We know life doesn’t pause for disputes. That’s why we offer flexible appointment times outside standard business hours — so you don’t need to miss work, school runs or other important parts of your life.
-
Every FDR journey is confidential and personalised. We offer a calm, non-judgemental space where both parties are heard — and real progress is made.
Sorting Property & Finances — Without the Stress
Helping you untangle the practical side of separation - from dividing assets and debts, to working out superannuation, investments, and more
Custody arrangements
Parenting agreements
Creating workable parenting plans that consider children’s routines, needs, and well-being. This includes who lives where, school holidays, birthdays, and special occasions.
Child-focused costs
Conversations about school fees, extracurricular activities, medical costs, and day-to-day living expenses
Living decisions
Supporting discussions around where children will live, and whether relocation (interstate or regional) is a factor.
Clear documentation – We help document the outcomes of your discussions clearly and professionally — ready to take to a lawyer or submit to the Family Court if needed.
Step 1 - A friendly first chat
Let’s start with a free 10-minute call. It’s simply a chance to see if Family Dispute Resolution is right for you. If you decide to book an intake appointment, we’ll email you your intake and information forms to ensure you feel comfortable and confident moving forward.
The Halo FDR Process
A step-by-step guide of what to expect - served with calm, care, and clarity
Step 2 - Getting To Know You
Your 60 minute online intake consultation is your chance to share what’s been happening and learn how the process works - in a calm, supportive space. The FDR practitioner will make an assessment to ensure the FDR process is appropriate for your situation.
Step 3 - Getting ready on both sides
Your practitioner will send a formal invitation to FDR to the other party and the they will have their own one hour intake session to share their story and prepare for the joint meeting.
Step 4 - agreement to mediate
After meeting with both parties for their individual intake sessions, our accredited FDR practitioner will carefully assess whether FDR is appropriate for your situation. If FDR is suitable, you’ll each receive an Agreement to Mediate form. Once both parties have signed, our practitioner will reach out to coordinate and book a mutually convenient time for your three-hour mediation session.
Step 5 - The joint session
Three hours will be allocated to your mediation. If extra sessions are needed, we’ll help organise those too.
Step 6 - Moving Forward
If an agreement is reached, your practitioner will prepare a written summary within 24 hours for both parties to sign, so you can move forward for the next chapter of your journey. If a parenting plan is requested in addition, this can also be arranged.
FDR Pricing Information
Our pricing is simple, clear and upfront — no hidden fees, no surprise charges. Below, you’ll see the original price alongside your discounted rate so you know exactly what you’re paying for. For even more savings, you can explore our FDR packages.
Original Price
Individual Intake Sessions
$350pp (60 mins)
Joint Mediation Sessions
$350pp (per hour)
*The length of the mediation depends on how complex your matter is
Example of a simple case:
2 X individual intake sessions = $700 total
3-hour mediation session = $2,100 total ($1050 each)
Total: $2,800 (or $1,400 each)
*For more complex matters that need more time, extra hours are simply billed at the same rate:
$700 per additional hour ($350 each)
Discounted Price
To receive the discounted rate, just subscribe to our email newsletter below, like our social media page, and give us a call or text — we’ll apply the discount for you right away.
Individual Intake Sessions
$315pp (60 mins)
Joint Mediation Sessions
$315pp (per hour)
*The length of the mediation depends on how complex your matter is
Example of a simple case:
2 X individual intake sessions = $630 total
3-hour mediation session = $1890 total ($945 each)
Total: $2,520 (or $1260 each)
*For more complex matters that need more time, extra hours are simply billed at the same rate:
$630 per additional hour ($315 each)
Your FDRP at Halo Journey
-
Renee
Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner
Family Dispute Resolution SupervisiorRenee began her career in family and child protection law, driven by a deep desire to support families through tough times. Disheartened by how impersonal the system could be, she shifted to Family Dispute Resolution when it became a key step in family law and has now worked in the space for over 15 years.
She’s trained as a Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner, Child and Family Therapist, Child Consultant, and Family Group Conference Facilitator, with experience across not-for-profits and private practice. Whether working with Legal Aid or in her own practice, Renee brings a warm, human approach to every conversation.
-
Evie
AMDRAS Practitioner
Couples Counselling Specialist
Family Dispute Resolution PractitionerEvie is a compassionate and down-to-earth Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner and Counsellor, with over a decade of experience supporting couples and families through life’s more challenging seasons. With a calm and client-led approach, Evie creates a space where people feel genuinely heard, supported, and empowered to move forward with clarity and confidence.
Specialising in both mediation and family counselling, Evie understands that no two families are the same. She tailors her support to meet the unique rhythms and relationships in front of her - always with care, respect, and a focus on what truly matters.
FAQs
-
Family Dispute Resolution (FDR) is a type of mediation that helps separated or separating families resolve disagreements, especially around parenting, property, and finances, without going to court. It's about creating solutions together in a safe, structured environment.
-
The FDR practitioner can issue a Section 60I certificate if an agreement isn’t reached. You may need this if you decide to go to family court, though many families do find common ground with the right support.
-
Not at all! Many families come to FDR because things are tense or communication has broken down. The mediator is there to guide the conversation and keep things calm, respectful, and productive.
-
Parenting arrangements, where children live, how decisions are made, dividing property or finances, and any other important matters that come up when a family separates.
-
Yes, usually. The law in Australia generally requires you to try Family Dispute Resolution (FDR) if your parenting matter is going to court unless there are serious concerns like family violence or safety risks.
-
An accredited Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner trained to manage conflict, support healthy communication, and help families reach practical, fair agreements.
-
In most cases, you will only need to attend one intake session to discuss both your financial and parenting matters.
The mediation itself will usually be held as two separate sessions:
Financial and property matters: up to 3 hours
Parenting matters: up to 3 hours
If your situation is more complex and requires extra time, any additional hours will be charged at our hourly rate per party.
During your intake session, your mediator will discuss your circumstances and provide an estimate of how much time may be needed for your matter.
-
Item descriptionNot automatically – an agreement can be made into formal parenting plans or financial agreements. You can choose to have them legally formalised through a lawyer or the court if needed.
-
It depends on the complexity of the issues and how ready both parties are to engage. Some families resolve things in one or two sessions, while others need a bit more time.
-
Yes, in many cases. Let your FDR practitioner know in advance and they’ll discuss how this can work best.
-
Safety always comes first. If there are concerns around violence, coercion, or intimidation, the practitioner will assess whether FDR is appropriate or suggest safer alternatives.
Language Support, When you need it
At Halo Journey, we want you to feel comfortable, understood, and truly heard — every step of the way.
If English isn’t your preferred language, we’ve got you. Interpreter services are available across all of our sessions to help make things easier, clearer, and more supportive for you. Just let us know when booking, and we’ll organise it for you.
Interpreter services are available at an additional cost.
The Halo Experience
We’re really proud of the feedback we’ve received from our clients. Every person so far has said they’d be very likely to recommend Halo Journey, and our practitioners are consistently rated between 9–10/10 by people who trust us with those closest to them.
It’s a real reminder of why we do what we do — to make a positive difference, one journey at a time.
If you’d like to see more of what people have shared about their experience with us, read more here.
“I’ve used Halo Journey Australia’s online counselling service before and had a very positive experience. The team was professional, empathetic, and easy to connect with. The online format made it convenient to access support, and I felt genuinely listened to throughout the process.
I would highly recommend Halo Journey Australia to anyone seeking accessible and caring counselling services”
— Counselling & Psychotherapy Client (South Australia)
"Thanks for your support. I felt respected and provided information to help me make an informed decision. This service was highly supported and non judgmental , whilst maintaining neutrality and procedural fairness. Thanks for providing genuine support to those in need."
— Family Dispute Resolution Client (South Australia)
“So easy to talk to, quick response and was able to get me in and fulfil my needs straight away. Very lovely.”
— Counselling & Psychotherapy Client (Western Australia)
Send a Halo
Whether you’re ready to book or just want to learn more, we’re only a message away
Email: info@halojourney.com.au
Phone or Text: +61 485 042 221
Monday to Sunday 7 days a week 8:00am - 10:00pm (AEDT)
Supporting Australia-wide, wherever you are