Mediation

What is Mediation?

Mediation is a structured but flexible process that helps people in conflict find common ground without stepping into a courtroom. With the support of a neutral mediator, each party has the chance to be heard, clarify their concerns, and work towards practical solutions that everyone can live with. It’s not about winners and losers, it’s about creating fair, workable agreements that reflect your real needs and priorities.

Why Try Mediation?

Because it saves you time, stress, and money. Court battles are expensive, slow, and draining, while mediation offers a faster, more respectful way forward. It keeps decision-making in your hands rather than a judge’s and opens the door to creative solutions that rigid legal processes often miss. Most importantly, mediation helps preserve relationships, whether between parents, business partners, colleagues, or neighbours, so you can move on without the scars of a prolonged dispute.
Dee HardySuccessful mediation
Real solutions, not legal battles

Mediation gives everyone a voice and a fair chance to be heard.

Family Dispute Resolution (FDR) | Issuing of Section 60i Certificates | Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)

Welcome to the world of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), where conflicts find resolution through Mediation, a collaborative and effective approach that empowers individuals and entities to take control of their disputes. Mediation, a cornerstone of ADR, offers a refreshing departure from traditional adversarial methods, fostering open dialogue and mutual understanding. At Shifting Tides, we bring you the transformative power of Mediation across a spectrum of areas, ensuring that conflicts in various domains can be amicably settled.
Imagine a process that prioritizes communication, empathy, and consensus-building. Mediation does just that, providing a neutral space where disputing parties can voice their concerns, explore solutions, and work together towards agreements that reflect their unique needs. From personal conflicts to business disputes, community matters to family issues, our ADR platform showcases the versatility of mediation across diverse spheres.
Family & Divorce Mediation.
Business & Commercial Mediation.
Property & Real Estate Disputes.
Employment & Workplace Mediation.
Community Mediation.
Education & School Mediation.
Wills & Estates / Inheritance Disputes.
Construction & Building Disputes.
Health & Aged Care Disputes.
Environmental & Planning Mediation.
Consumer & Customer Complaints.
Government & Administrative Mediation.
Neighbourhood Disputes
Balance is key in life.
Shifting Tides is your gateway to understanding the incredible potential of Alternative Dispute Resolution. Mediation's human-centric approach ensures that resolutions are not merely imposed but are born out of mutual agreement.

Mediation is a powerful tool for resolving conflicts and shaping a more harmonious world.
Mediation benefits

Family Dispute Resolution (FDR)

Life changes, relationships break, families shift, business dynamics implode. When you’re facing those moments, the last thing you need is a costly, drawn-out court fight. At Shifting Tides, mediation is about steering the ship from chaos toward clarity. We don’t rely on legal jargon or bitter back-and-forth. Instead, we create a neutral space where real conversations happen, guided by empathy and common sense. What do you end up with? Agreements that make sense and stick.

Family Disputes Don’t Have to Destroy Your Future

When emotions are raw and tensions run high, mediation isn’t a compromise; it’s your lifeline. Our Family Dispute Resolution (FDR) service isn’t about rubber-stamping court orders; it’s crafting parenting plans, property agreements, and separation terms that actually reflect your needs, not a judge’s. And if court becomes unavoidable, we’ve got you covered with Section 60I certificates. You get to stay in control, move faster, and save heaps - financially, emotionally, and time-wise.

Child-Inclusive Mediation: 

Let their Voice be Heard - Not Used

Kids shouldn’t bear the brunt of adult conflict. Child-Inclusive Mediation makes sure their feelings are understood and never weaponised. Through safe, professionally guided sessions, we gather insights, not demands from children, and fold them into solutions that honour their emotional needs. No coercion, just communication.
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Happy family holding hands on the beach
Family mediation research
High settlement rates
Agreement reached in 50%-85% of the cases, with more studies at the mid to high end of this range.
Better relationship between children and THEIR CARE GIVERS.
Better agreements
Mediation agreements have more shared parenting and are more detailed and specific.
High client satisfaction rates
Higher compliance rates
Mediation agreements have a higher probability of being complied with than litigation outcomes.
Improved cooperation between parents
Parents who attend mediation reported less conflict during the process and better cooperation in the first two years following mediation.

Family Dispute Resolution Fee Structure

Our fee structure can from time to time, be designed to be flexible and tailored to the unique needs of each mediation. As every case is different, we negotiate rates on an individual basis, taking into account the complexity of the situation, the estimated time required, and any special requirements. This approach allows us to provide a fair and customized fee that reflects the specific circumstances of each mediation. We are committed to transparency and will provide a detailed breakdown of costs before the mediation process begins.

STEP 1

Initiating Invitation to Mediation

$200

(issue of 60i certificate if applicable) *All fees are inclusive of GST
Mediation Initiation & issue of 60i certificate (if applicable) $200

Covers issuing invitations to the other party, follow-up emails and calls. If the other party does not agree to mediate, this fee includes the preparation and issue of a Section 60i Certificate in accordance with the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth).

STEP 2

Pre Mediation/Intake Assessment

$350

per person *All fees are inclusive of GST
Pre Mediation/Intake Session $350 per person
Gathering of information and identifying issues in preparation for mediation.
Up to 1 hour to determine if Family Dispute Resolution is appropriate.
Standard preparation time including case management, phone calls, dissemination and reviewing of correspondence, including risk assessment document.
Issue of 60i Certificate/Certificate of Dispute Resolution (if applicable).

STEP 3

Family Dispute Resolution Session
Half Day -$2000 (shared by parties)  |  Full Day -$3200 (shared by parties)
*All fees are inclusive of GST
Below you’ll find our half-day and full-day Family Dispute Resolution (FDR) options, each designed to give you the support, structure and clarity you need to reach practical agreements.

STEP 3 - Half Day

STANDARD HALF-DAY FDR MEDIATION – (up to 4 hours) – $2000 (shared by parties)
This includes:
All appointment confirmations, follow up correspondence and case management.
Preparation of reading for up to 2 hours (in total).
Mediation commencing at 9.00am to 2.00pm OR 1.00pm to 6.00pm (overtime charged at $350 per hour).
No travel costs if mediation is conducted at Shifting Tides premises.
No venue fee when conducted at Shifting Tides premises.
No extra fee for Shuttle mediation if conducted at Shifting Tides premises.
Parenting Mediation: Detailed written record of Parenting Agreement/Plan, prepared and distributed to both parties.
Property Mediation: Detailed written record, prepared and distributed to both parties.
Section 60i Certificate (if required).
Coffee, tea and water with biscuits provided.
*All fees are inclusive of GST

STEP 3 - Full Day

STANDARD FULL DAY FDR MEDIATION – (4 hours and over) - $3200 (shared by parties)
This includes:
All appointment confirmations, follow up correspondence and case management.
Preparation of reading for up to 2 hours (in total).
Pre-mediation assessment/Intake session prior to mediation (up to 1 hour for each party, conducted separately).
Mediation commencing at 9.30am to 5.00pm (overtime charged at $350 per hour).
No travel costs if mediation is conducted at Shifting Tides premises.
No venue fee when conducted at Shifting Tides premises.
No extra fee for Shuttle mediation if conducted at Shifting Tides premises.
Parenting Mediation session: Detailed written record of Parenting Agreement/Plan, prepared and distributed to both parties.
Property Mediation session: Detailed written record of Property distribution, prepared and distributed to both parties.
Section 60i Certificate (if required).
Coffee, tea and water and light lunch provided.
*All fees are inclusive of GST

ADDITIONAL FEES

Child Inclusive Mediation – $350 per hour.
Additional hourly rate - $350 per hour.
Issue of 60i Certificate for Court - $150 .
Co-Mediation Rate - $4200 (half day)
*All fees are inclusive of GST
To secure a mediator’s time in our diary, we require a non-refundable booking fee of $350 per party, which is deducted from the final balance payable prior to mediation.

Payment of the balance in full is required at least 14 days (2 weeks) prior to a mediation or intake service.

Please refer to our cancellation policy for full details.

"Conflict can divide, but communication can rebuild."

Child running to father at airport

"Conflict can divide, but communication can rebuild."

Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)

Not every conflict belongs in a courtroom. Not every solution needs to be adversarial either. Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) provides a smarter, faster, and more cost-effective way to resolve disputes outside the legal system. At Shifting Tides, ADR creates a structured process that helps people move past gridlock and towards workable agreements. This avoids the stress, expense, and uncertainty of litigation.

Beyond Family Matters

ADR is not limited to family law. It is a powerful tool for resolving workplace breakdowns, business disputes, community disagreements, and even conflicts within organisations or schools. Whether it is a contractual clash, a staff grievance, or a neighbourhood issue, ADR provides a neutral space where all parties can voice their concerns, explore common ground, and design outcomes that serve everyone’s long-term interests.

Solutions that Stick

By focusing on dialogue, fairness, and practical outcomes, ADR helps preserve relationships while addressing the real issues at hand. Instead of leaving your future in the hands of a judge, you remain in control of both the process and the outcome. It is respectful, future-focused, and designed to deliver solutions that last.
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Coming to a resolution

Alternative Dispute Resolution Fee Structure

Intake Assessment with each party

$275

per person  *All fees are inclusive of GST
Pre-mediation assessment/Intake session prior to mediation (up to 1 hour for each party, conducted separately) -
Pre mediation/intake session to determine if mediation is appropriate.
Gathering of information and identifying issues in preparation for mediation.
Case management, phone calls and all correspondence.

*All fees are inclusive of GST

Mediation Session

$350

per hour  *All fees are inclusive of GST
Mediation session & Agreement Preparation/distribution- (up to 4 hours) - $2000 with each party present (maximum 2 - shared by parties)
Note: General Mediation Session costs relate to a two-person case. If more than 2 parties are involved, an extra fee of $150 for each party present will be charged.
No travel costs if mediation is conducted at Shifting Tides premises.
No venue fee when conducted at Shifting Tides premises.
Detailed written record of agreement reached and distributed to parties involved.
Coffee, tea and water provided.
*All fees are inclusive of GST
To secure a mediator’s time in our diary, we require a non-refundable booking fee of $350, which is deducted from the final balance payable prior to mediation.

Payment of the balance in full is required at least five full business days prior to a mediation or intake service.

Please refer to our cancellation policy for full details.
Business mediation

Our own interests can blind us from seeing the interests of others.

If you’re ready to take the next step toward lasting change,  get in touch today — let’s design the life you want to live.
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