The Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia expects people involved in family law disputes (parenting, property, financial) will make a genuine effort to resolve their disputes, by engaging with an Attorney-General's Department accredited Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner (FDRP), before making an application to the Court to commence litigation.​

FDR is a confidential process in which a FDRP, independent of the parties, helps people to resolve some or all of their disputes arising from separation or divorce (see Part II, Division 3 of the Family Law Act 1975).

FDRPs are trained in assisting people to resolve disputes but they cannot give legal advice or impose a decision.

This process encourages open communication and aims to find mutually beneficial solutions.​

For further information on FDRP obligations on confidentiality, please visit The Attorney-General's Department website.