Online Divorce & Mediation — resolve it from anywhere.

What is online mediation?

Online mediation is family law mediation conducted by secure video conference rather than in a physical room. The accredited mediator, you, and your former partner all join from your own locations. The process is otherwise identical: same structured stages, same legal effect, same kind of outcomes.

It moved from emergency adaptation to mainstream practice over the past several years. Today it's the default for many separating couples — particularly where partners live in different places, where travel is impractical, or where being in the same physical room would add unhelpful intensity.

How well does it actually work?

Honestly: at least as well as in-person, and for some matters better. Research and practice both bear this out.

What works equally well online:

• The structured dispute resolution process itself
• Document sharing and review
• Drafting heads of agreement in real time
• Shuttle mediation (separate "rooms" are easier online than in person)
• Getting independent advice in parallel

What's different (not worse):

• You can't read body language as fully — but you also don't get the in-person tension that can derail conversations
• The mediator works harder to manage turn-taking — but does so reliably
• You need a quiet space at your end — which means you have to set up to focus

When online suits best

• Regional or remote Australia — access to accredited specialists without the travel
• Interstate partners — one in Sydney, one in Perth; no flights needed
• Australians overseas — a partner who's moved abroad can still mediate the Australian matter
• Busy schedules — no half-day lost to travel and a return trip
• High-conflict matters — the physical distance often reduces emotional charge
• Childcare logistics — you can do it while kids are at school without arranging a sitter
• Safety concerns — where being in the same building isn't appropriate

How the process runs

1. Initial consultation — by video, no different from any other consultation.
2. Intake — each party meets the mediator separately by video.
3. Document gathering and disclosure — shared electronically through secure channels.
4. The mediation session — by video, typically a half or full day. Joint session, or with each party in a separate "room" (shuttle mediation) where appropriate.
5. Heads of Agreement — drafted live in a shared document.
6. Formalisation — consent orders or BFA, also handled online.

The technology

We use secure, encrypted video conferencing. You don't need any specialist software — a modern laptop, tablet or smartphone is fine. We send a meeting link; you click and join. The technology should be invisible.

Documents are shared through secure channels with appropriate access controls. Nothing sensitive travels by email attachment unless you specifically want it that way.

For regional and remote Australia

Access to accredited family law specialists is uneven across Australia. Online mediation closes that gap entirely. Whether you're in a regional town, on a property hours from the nearest courthouse, or in a remote community, you get the same accredited mediators, the same process, and the same legal effect as someone in central Sydney.

It also opens up choice. Rather than working with whoever's nearest, you can work with the mediator best suited to your matter — whether that's a specialist in high-conflict matters, business assets, or something specific to your situation.

Costs

Online mediation costs the same or slightly less than in-person. There's no travel time built into the fees, and no venue costs. Typical total: $3,000–$7,000 (shared between the parties), depending on complexity.

Getting started

The first step is a free initial online consultation. We'll listen to your situation, assess whether mediation is the right path, and outline the process. The first conversation alone usually clarifies a lot.