Under Australian family law, a parenting plan is a written agreement between separated parents that outlines the practical aspects of their children’s care, welfare, and development. While not legally enforceable like court orders, parenting plans created under the Family Law Act 1975 carry significant weight and can be considered by courts if disputes arise later.

A comprehensive parenting plan addresses the day-to-day realities of co-parenting, from living arrangements and school pickups to holiday schedules and medical decisions. It serves as a roadmap that both parents can follow, reducing misunderstandings and providing children with the consistency they need to thrive despite their parents’ separation.

Living Arrangements and Time with Each Parent

Your parenting plan should clearly specify where children will live and when they will spend time with each parent. This includes regular weekly schedules, outlining specific days and times for changeovers. Consider practical factors such as work commitments, school locations, and extracurricular activities when developing these arrangements.

Holiday and Special Occasion Schedules

Detail how school holidays, public holidays, and special occasions like birthdays, Mother’s Day, and Father’s Day will be shared. Many parents alternate holidays yearly or split longer holiday periods equally. Be specific about dates and times to avoid confusion.

Educational Decisions and Arrangements

Include provisions for major educational decisions such as school selection, as well as practical matters like who attends parent-teacher interviews, school events, and how school fees and expenses are managed. Specify how parents will communicate about their children’s academic progress and any additional tutoring or support needs.

Health and Medical Care

Outline how medical decisions will be made, including routine healthcare, dental care, and emergency situations. Specify which parent holds Medicare cards and health insurance information, and establish protocols for informing the other parent about medical appointments and health concerns.

Communication Arrangements

Establish clear guidelines for communication between parents and between children and the non-resident parent. This includes phone calls, video chats, and messaging, with consideration for appropriate times and frequency that don’t disrupt the children’s routine or the other parent’s time.

Financial Responsibilities

While child support is typically handled through Services Australia, your parenting plan can address additional expenses such as extracurricular activities, school uniforms, medical costs not covered by Medicare, and other child-related expenses. Clearly specify who pays for what and how costs are shared.

Transportation and Changeover Arrangements

Detail the logistics of moving children between homes, including who provides transportation, where changeovers occur, and what happens if someone is running late. Neutral locations like schools or public places can help if tensions exist between parents.

Parental Behaviour and Communication Guidelines

Include agreements about how parents will communicate with each other respectfully, how they’ll handle disagreements, and commitments to not speaking negatively about the other parent in front of the children. This section promotes a positive co-parenting relationship.

Creating your parenting plan through mediation offers numerous advantages over traditional litigation:

Cost-Effectiveness: Mediation typically costs a fraction of what court proceedings would, often resolving matters in a few sessions rather than months or years of legal battles.

Speed and Efficiency: While court cases can drag on for 12-18 months or longer, mediated parenting plans can often be completed within weeks, allowing families to move forward sooner.

Flexibility and Customisation: Unlike rigid court orders, mediated agreements can be tailored to your family’s unique circumstances and easily modified as children grow and needs change.

Reduced Conflict: The collaborative nature of mediation helps preserve the co-parenting relationship, reducing stress on children and creating a foundation for positive future interactions.

Confidentiality: Mediation discussions remain private, unlike court proceedings which become public record.

Empowerment: Parents maintain control over decisions affecting their children rather than having solutions imposed by a judge who doesn’t know their family.

Regular Reviews and Updates

Children’s needs change as they grow. Build in regular review periods (perhaps annually) to assess whether adjustments are needed. Return to mediation for these reviews rather than letting disagreements escalate.

Focus on Children’s Best Interests

Always prioritise what’s best for your children over personal preferences or conflicts with your ex-partner. Research consistently shows children benefit from maintaining meaningful relationships with both parents when safe to do so.

Maintain Flexibility

While structure is important, some flexibility is essential. Life throws unexpected challenges, and rigid adherence to plans without room for reasonable adjustments can create unnecessary conflict.

Communication is Key

Use respectful, business-like communication focused on children’s needs. Consider using co-parenting apps or email to maintain clear records and reduce emotional confrontations.

It’s important to acknowledge that mediation and parenting plans aren’t appropriate in all situations. Cases involving family violence, child abuse, serious mental health issues, or substance abuse may require court intervention for safety reasons. If you’re experiencing family violence, contact 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) or seek immediate legal assistance through Legal Aid or a family violence service.

While parenting plans provide flexibility, some parents prefer the legal enforceability of consent orders. If your mediated parenting plan works well, you can apply to the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia to have it made into consent orders without attending court. This combines the benefits of mediation with legal certainty.

Different Parenting Styles

Accept that households will have some different rules. Focus on agreeing on major issues like bedtimes, screen time limits, and discipline approaches while allowing some variation in day-to-day matters.

Geographic Distance

When parents live far apart, consider longer but less frequent visits, virtual communication schedules, and clear agreements about travel costs and responsibilities.

New Partners

Address how and when new partners will be introduced to children and their role in parenting decisions. This prevents future conflicts and provides clarity for everyone involved.

The Role of Children’s Voices

Depending on their age and maturity, children’s views should be considered when creating parenting plans. While children shouldn’t be burdened with adult decisions, understanding their preferences about living arrangements and activities helps create plans that work for the whole family. Skilled mediators can help incorporate children’s voices appropriately without placing them in the middle of parental conflicts.

Conclusion

A well-crafted parenting plan template provides the foundation for successful co-parenting after separation. By choosing mediation over litigation, parents can create comprehensive, customised agreements that prioritise their children’s wellbeing while saving significant time, money, and emotional stress.

The collaborative process of mediation not only produces better outcomes but also models positive conflict resolution for children and preserves the co-parenting relationship essential for their ongoing development. Rather than leaving your family’s future to the uncertainty and expense of court proceedings, take control through mediation and create a parenting plan that truly serves your children’s best interests.

If you’re ready to create your parenting plan, Mediations Australia’s experienced family dispute resolution practitioners can guide you through the process efficiently and affordably. Our mediators understand the complexities of Australian family law and the practical realities of co-parenting, helping you build agreements that stand the test of time.

Don’t let parenting arrangements become a source of ongoing conflict. Contact Mediations Australia today to begin creating a comprehensive parenting plan that provides certainty, reduces conflict, and allows your family to move forward positively. With the right support and a commitment to your children’s wellbeing, you can establish co-parenting arrangements that work for everyone involved.