On this page, we talk about working with a mediator.

On this page:

• What a mediator is
• When a mediator can help you
• Getting ready to work with a mediator
• Finding a mediator

A mediator helps people make a decision about a problem so they do not have to go to court.

For example, if a married couple end their relationship, a mediator can help them decide who their child will live with.

A mediator does not just help families.

For example, a mediator can also help if there is a problem between:

• a worker and the person who hired them
• a person and an organisation
• neighbours
• friends.

A mediator will not make any decisions.

They will help people who are having a problem to make a decision together.

The mediator will make sure that you have the support you need.

For example:

• someone who uses your language
• a family member or support worker
• a piece of equipment, like a wheelchair or screen reader.

The mediator will have rules to make sure the conversation goes well.

For example, everyone will have a chance to talk.

The mediator will ask lots of questions.

They will listen to what everyone has to say, and:

• learn what the problem is
• support people to make a decision about the problem.

The mediator will not tell anyone what choice they should make.

You can work with a mediator in different ways.

For example, you might want to be in:

• the same room as the other person
• a different room.

You might want to work with a mediator online.

A mediator might not be able to help you make a decision about your problem.

And you might need to go to court.

But working with a mediator helps most people make a decision about their problem.

You can visit the Australian Mediation Association website to find out more.

A mediator can support you if:

• you and someone else have to make a decision about a hard problem
• people have strong feelings about a problem.

Sometimes you have to talk to a mediator before you can go to court.

For example, if you want to go to the Family Court of Australia.

You can visit the Family Relationships website to find out more.

You never have to talk to a mediator if you have experienced domestic and family violence.

But you and the other person can talk to a mediator if you both think you should.

To work with a mediator to make a decision, it is a good idea to think about what you:

• could agree to do
• would never agree to do.

You should also think about anything that you and the other person have already agreed to do.

You should read everything that the mediator sends you.

These might be:

• emails
• other documents.

You can also think about what you want to talk about with the mediator.

For example, your:

• thoughts
• feelings
• memories.

You could write these down or record yourself talking about them.

It is a good idea to make sure you have a support person with you if you need one.

You can also ask the mediator to get any equipment that you need, like a wheelchair or screen reader.

You should also talk to a lawyer if you think you need to.

You can also think about:

• what will happen if you and the other person make a decision
• what will happen if you cannot make a decision.

For example, you might have to go to court.

You can find out more about getting ready to work with a mediator on the Mediations Australia website.

The Australian Mediation Association can support you if you need a mediator.

You can visit the Australian Mediation Association website for more information.

There are also mediators for people who have ended their relationship.

You can visit the Family Relationships website for more information.

You can also visit the Relationships Australia website.

You can also visit the Legal Aid website.