For Family Dispute Resolution Practitioners
Changes to the Family Law System were introduced from 1 July 2006. These changes affect individual family dispute resolution practitioners and organisations registered under the Family Law Act 1975 to provide family dispute resolution.
Accreditation and Registration
From 1 July 2008, all individuals wanting to apply to a court for a parenting order will need to first attend family dispute resolution, and obtain a certificate from a registered family dispute resolution provider confirming that an attempt at family dispute resolution was made. This requirement applies to all applications, including those seeking changes to an existing parenting order. There are some exceptions to this requirement, such as cases involving family violence or child abuse.
A registered family dispute resolution provider is an individual or person within an organisation who meets specific requirements under the Family Law Act to provide family dispute resolution and issue certificates.
A new accreditation system for family dispute resolution practitioners is being phased in to ensure that all practitioners providing family dispute resolution under the Family Law Act meet a set of nationally consistent standards.
For more information on how to become a registered and accredited family dispute resolution practitioner see:Obligations
Family dispute resolution practitioners have certain obligations including in relation to the provision of information and confidentiality.
For more information on family dispute resolution practitioners' obligations, see:
Screening and Assessment
Family law regulations require family dispute resolution practitioners to be satisfied that a thorough assessment has been made to determine if family dispute resolution is appropriate for clients before family dispute resolution starts.
The Australian Government Attorney-General's Department commissioned the development of a Screening and Assessment Framework to provide guidance to staff in Family Relationship Centres who carry out these assessments. This guidance may be useful for family dispute resolution practitioners in other settings.
