Costs and funding

Efficient and cost-effective support.

At Family Works, we understand the importance of keeping our services cost-effective and minimising financial stress for families.

Family Dispute Resolution, including the preparation for mediation coaching, FDR mediation and specialist Voice of Child service, is government funded by the Ministry of Justice. Depending on your income and the number of dependent children you have, the service will either be fully or partially funded.

Even if you’re not eligible for the fully funded service, the cost is subsidised and will never cost more than $450 per person – much less than the cost of filing an application at the Family Court.

Are you eligible for funding?

To apply for Government funding, you need to meet the maximum income requirements. This is calculated by your income and how many dependents you have. A dependant can be a partner who has no income, or all children who rely on you for financial support.

If your application is successful, the FDR service will either be partially or fully funded.

No dependants
Maximum annual income $23,820.00
Maximum fortnightly income $916.15

1 dependant (partner or child)
Maximum annual income $37,722.00
Maximum fortnightly income $1450,85

2 dependants (partner and/or children)
Maximum annual income $54,245.00
Maximum fortnightly income $2086.35

3 dependants (partner and/or children)
Maximum annual income $61,642.00
Maximum fortnightly income $2370.85.35

4 dependants (partner and/or children)
Maximum annual income $68,882.00
Maximum fortnightly income $2649.31

5 dependants (partner and/or children)
Maximum annual income $77,002.00
Maximum fortnightly income $2961.62

6 or more dependants (partner and/or children)
For each extra dependant, add the following costs:
Maximum annual income + $7124.00
Maximum fortnightly income + $274.00

How to apply for funding.

To apply for funding, you’ll need to provide evidence of your income, such as a payslip, bank statements from the past 3 months, a letter from Work and Income, or a copy of your most recent tax return.

Your Family Dispute Resolution team will help you complete your application and will sign the form before submitting it to the Ministry of Justice.