The Olive Branch Company

Mediation in Queensland, Australia

Professional mediation services across Queensland. We work remotely with clients throughout the region, providing expert guidance for conflict resolution with clarity, compassion and integrity.

The Olive Branch in Queensland

The Olive Branch provides professional mediation services to clients in Queensland and throughout Australia. Our experienced mediators work remotely to help you resolve disputes efficiently and effectively, saving you time, money, and relationships.

Whether you're dealing with commercial conflicts, family matters, or workplace disputes, we offer a neutral, confidential space where all parties can speak freely and work toward mutually beneficial solutions. Our approach is grounded in real-world experience and a deep understanding of the challenges businesses and individuals face.

We understand that every dispute is unique. That's why we tailor our mediation process to your specific circumstances, ensuring that the resolution you reach is practical, lasting, and fair to everyone involved.

State Mediation Research

State Laws

Mediation in Queensland operates under state legislation and the national Family Law Act 1975 (Cth). The Family Law Act requires parties to attend Family Dispute Resolution (FDR) before applying to the Family Court for parenting orders. Queensland has its own family mediation services. The Queensland Dispute Resolution Centre (QDRC) provides free community mediation services. The Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 1999 (Qld) encourage parties to consider alternative dispute resolution. The Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal (QCAT) encourages mediation. Mediation is fundamentally voluntary and confidential.

Licensing Requirements

There is no statutory licensing requirement for mediators in Queensland. However, professional accreditation is available through recognised bodies. The Australian Mediator and Dispute Resolution Accreditation Standards (AMDRAS) provides national accreditation. The Australian Mediation Association (AMA) is a Recognised Accreditation Provider. Resolution Institute provides accreditation. For family dispute resolution, mediators must be registered as Family Dispute Resolution Practitioners (FDRPs) with the Commonwealth Attorney-General's Department. Continuing professional development must maintain accreditation.

Local Court Systems

Queensland has a court system with the Supreme Court, District Court, Magistrates' Court, and the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal (QCAT). The Family Court of Australia and Federal Circuit Court have jurisdiction over family matters. QCAT handles many types of disputes and has strong mediation programmes. The Queensland Dispute Resolution Centre (QDRC) provides community mediation. Courts in Queensland have ADR programmes and mediation schemes. Local courts may have specific mediation programmes and referral procedures.

Fee Structures

Commercial mediation in Queensland costs approximately AUD $300-$600 per hour or daily rates of AUD $2,000-$4,000. Family mediation through the QDRC is free. Private family mediation typically costs AUD $150-$400 per hour. QCAT mediation is free for eligible matters. Costs are typically shared between parties unless otherwise agreed. Legal Aid may be available for family mediation in eligible cases. The cost savings compared to litigation are significant.

Bar Association Rules

The Queensland Law Society provides guidance on mediation for solicitors. Solicitors should advise clients about mediation as an alternative to court proceedings. The Law Society provides practice notes on mediation obligations. Solicitors must ensure clients understand the benefits and limitations of mediation. The Law Society offers information and resources on mediation. Queensland solicitors follow both national and state guidance on mediation.

Regional Dispute Patterns

family mediation in Brisbane metropolitan area, commercial disputes in Brisbane CBD, construction disputes across Queensland, employment mediation in urban areas, neighbourhood disputes in communities, strata disputes in apartment buildings, rural and regional disputes, mining and resources disputes

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Australia

Legal Framework

Mediation in Australia operates under a mixed framework of federal and state legislation. The Family Law Act 1975 (Cth) requires parties to attend family dispute resolution (such as mediation or conferencing) before applying to the Court for parenting orders. This compulsory requirement is known as Family Dispute Resolution (FDR). For commercial and civil mediation, there is no federal statutory framework, but state legislation may apply in certain jurisdictions. The Australian Mediator and Dispute Resolution Accreditation Standards (AMDRAS) replaced the National Mediator Accreditation System (NMAS) on 1 July 2025, providing national standards for mediator accreditation. The AMDRAS Board is responsible for development and implementation of these standards. Mediation is fundamentally voluntary and confidential, operating on a without prejudice basis. Australia is a signatory to the Singapore Convention on Mediation (2019) and has ratified it.

Court System

Australian courts actively encourage and sometimes require mediation. The Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia requires parties to make a genuine effort to resolve disputes about children through Family Dispute Resolution before court proceedings, with limited exceptions. Courts have broad powers to adjourn proceedings to allow mediation. The compulsory pre-filing FDR requirement is strictly enforced in family law matters. For civil and commercial matters, courts may refer parties to mediation or encourage settlement discussions. Courts may consider costs orders where parties unreasonably refuse to mediate. State and territory courts have varying approaches to mediation, with some having court connected mediation programmes. The judiciary generally supports mediation as an efficient alternative to litigation.

Mediator Regulations

Mediator accreditation in Australia follows the Australian Mediator and Dispute Resolution Accreditation Standards (AMDRAS), which replaced NMAS in 2025. The AMDRAS Board oversees the accreditation system. Recognised Accreditation Providers (RAPs) are approved to accredit mediators under AMDRAS. For family dispute resolution, practitioners must be registered as Family Dispute Resolution Practitioners (FDRPs) with the Commonwealth Attorney-General's Department under the Family Law (Family Dispute Resolution Practitioners) Regulations 2025. FDRPs must meet specific qualification and training requirements. For other mediation areas (commercial, workplace, community), accreditation through AMDRAS is voluntary but increasingly expected for quality assurance. The Australian Mediation Association (AMA) is a Recognised Accreditation Provider. Continuing professional development must maintain accreditation.

Cultural Approach

Australian culture values pragmatic, practical solutions to disputes. There is a strong preference for avoiding adversarial court proceedings where possible. The Australian approach emphasises fairness, informality, and the 'fair go' mentality. Family mediation is particularly valued for its ability to help families reach amicable arrangements for children. In commercial contexts, the focus is on preserving business relationships and finding practical solutions. Australia's multicultural population influences mediation practices, with cultural sensitivity being important. The informal, direct communication style in Australian culture suits mediation well. The compulsory nature of FDR in family law reflects a societal expectation that parents should attempt to resolve disputes about children without court intervention.

Typical Costs

Mediation costs in Australia vary widely depending on the type of dispute, mediator experience, and location. Family Dispute Resolution through community-based organisations can be low-cost or free for eligible parties. Private family mediation typically costs between AUD $150-$400 per hour. Commercial mediators may charge AUD $300-$600 per hour or daily rates of AUD $2,000-$4,000. Court-connected mediation programmes may be subsidised or free. Legal Aid may be available for family mediation in eligible cases. Costs are typically shared between parties unless otherwise agreed. The cost savings compared to litigation are significant, with commercial mediation often costing 10-20% of litigation costs. The Australian Government provides some funding for family dispute resolution services through the Attorney-General's Department.

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Cities in Queensland

Acacia Ridge Agnes Water Airlie Beach Aitkenvale Albany Creek Alderley Aldershot Alexandra Headland Alexandra Hills Algester Alice River Allenstown Alligator Creek Allora Alton Downs Andergrove Annandale Annerley Anstead Arana Hills Aroona Arundel Ascot Ashgrove Ashmore Aspley Atherton Auchenflower Augustine Heights Aurukun Avenell Heights Avoca Ayr Babinda Bahrs Scrub Bakers Creek Bald Hills Balmoral Balonne Shire Bamaga Banana Banksia Beach Banyo Barcaldine Barcoo Bardon Barellan Point Bargara Barney Point Battery Hill Bayview Heights Beachmere Beaconsfield Beaudesert Beenleigh Beerwah Belgian Gardens Bellara Bellbird Park Bellbowrie Bellmere Belmont Benaraby Benowa Bentley Park Berrinba Berserker Biggera Waters Bilinga Biloela Birkdale Birtinya Black Mountain Black River Blackall Blackall Tambo Blacks Beach Blackwater Bli Bli Bluewater Bohle Plains Bokarina Bongaree Bonogin Booie Boonah Boondall Booral Booval Boronia Heights Bouldercombe Boulia Bowen Bowen Hills Boyne Island Bracken Ridge Brandon Branyan Brassall Bray Park Brendale Bridgeman Downs Brighton Brinsmead Brisbane Broadbeach Broadbeach Waters Brookfield Brookwater Bucasia Bucca Buccan Buddina Buderim Bulimba Bulloo Bundaberg Bundaberg East Bundaberg North Bundaberg South Bundaberg West Bundall Bundamba Bungalow Bunya Burbank Burdekin Burdell Burke Burleigh Heads Burleigh Waters Burnett Heads Burnside Burpengary Burpengary East Burrum Heads Bushland Beach Cabarlah Caboolture Caboolture South Cairns Cairns North Calamvale Calliope Caloundra Caloundra West Cambooya Camira Camp Hill Camp Mountain Cannon Hill Cannonvale Canungra Capalaba Capella Caravonica Carbrook Cardwell Carina Heights Carindale Carpentaria Carrara Carseldine Cashmere Cassowary Coast Cedar Grove Cedar Vale Centenary Heights Central Highlands Chambers Flat Chandler Chapel Hill Charleville Charters Towers Chatsworth Chelmer Cherbourg Chermside Chermside West Childers Chinchilla Churchill Chuwar Clayfield Clear Island Waters Clermont Cleveland Clifton Clifton Beach Clinton Cloncurry Clontarf Coes Creek Collingwood Park Collinsville Condon Cooee Bay Cook Shire Cooktown Coolangatta Cooloola Cove Coolum Beach Coombabah Coomera Coominya Coopers Plains Cooran Cooroibah Cooroy Coorparoo Coppabella Coral Cove Corinda Cornubia Cotswold Hills Craiglie Craignish Cranbrook Cranley Crestmead Crows Nest Croydon Cunnamulla Curra Currajong Currimundi Currumbin Currumbin Valley Currumbin Waters Daisy Hill Dakabin Dalby Darling Heights Darra Dayboro Deagon Deception Bay Deebing Heights Deeragun Delaneys Creek Depot Hill Diamantina Dicky Beach Diddillibah Dimbulah Doolandella Doomadgee Doonan Douglas Drayton Drewvale Dundowran Beach Durack Dutton Park Dysart D’Aguilar Eagleby Earlville East Brisbane East Innisfail East Ipswich East Mackay East Toowoomba Eastern Heights Eatons Hill Edens Landing Edge Hill Edmonton Eight Mile Plains Eimeo Elanora Eli Waters Elimbah Ellen Grove Elliott Heads Emerald Emu Park Enoggera Esk Etheridge Eudlo Eumundi Everton Hills Everton Park Fairfield Fernvale Ferny Grove Ferny Hills Fig Tree Pocket Fitzgibbon Flinders Flinders View Forest Glen Forest Lake Forestdale Fortitude Valley Fraser Coast Frenchville Freshwater Gailes Garbutt Gatton Gaven Gayndah Gaythorne Geebung Gilston Gin Gin Gladstone Gladstone Central Glass House Mountains Glen Eden Gleneagle Glenella Glenvale Glenview Gold Coast Golden Beach Gooburrum Goodna Goondiwindi Gordon Park Gordonvale Gowrie Junction Gracemere Graceville Grange Granville Greenbank Greenslopes Griffin Gulliver Gumdale Gympie Gympie Regional Council Hamilton Harlaxton Harristown Hatton Vale Hawthorne Hay Point Healy Heathwood Heatley Helensvale Helidon Hemmant Hendra Heritage Park Hermit Park Herston Hervey Bay Highfields Highgate Hill Highland Park Highvale Hillcrest Hinchinbrook Hodgson Vale Holland Park Holland Park West Holloways Beach Hollywell Holmview Home Hill Hope Island Hope Vale Howard Hughenden Hyde Park Idalia Inala Indooroopilly Ingham Innes Park Innisfail Innisfail Estate Ipswich Isaac Jacobs Well Jamboree Heights Jandowae Jensen Jimboomba Jindalee Joyner Jubilee Pocket Julatten Kalbar Kalinga Kalkie Kallangur Kamerunga Kangaroo Point Kanimbla Karalee Karana Downs Karumba Kawana Kawungan Kearneys Spring Kedron Kelso Kelvin Grove Kenmore Kenmore Hills Kensington Grove Keperra Kepnock Kewarra Beach Kilcoy Kin Kora Kingaroy Kings Beach Kingsthorpe Kingston Kippa-Ring Kirkwood Kirwan Kleinton Koongal Kooralbyn Kowanyama Kuluin Kuraby Kuranda Kurwongbah Labrador Laidley Lake Macdonald Lammermoor Landsborough Lawnton Leichhardt Little Mountain Lockhart River Lockyer Valley Logan Logan Central Logan Reserve Loganholme Loganlea Longreach Lota Lower Beechmont Lowood Lutwyche Macgregor Machans Beach Mackay Mackenzie Macleay Island Magnetic Island Main Beach Malanda Maleny Mango Hill Manly West Manoora Mansfield Manunda Mapleton Mapoon Maranoa Marcoola Mareeba Margate Marian Maroochy River Maroochydore Marsden Maryborough Maudsland McDowall McKinlay Meadowbrook Menzies Meridan Plains Meringandan West Mermaid Beach Mermaid Waters Merrimac Miami Middle Park Middle Ridge Middlemount Miles Millbank Millmerran Millstream Milton Minden Minyama Mirani Mission Beach Mission River Mitchell Mitchelton Moffat Beach Moggill Molendinar Monkland Monto Montville Mooloolaba Moore Park Beach Mooroobool Moorooka Moranbah Morayfield Moreton Bay Morningside Mornington Mossman Mount Coolum Mount Cotton Mount Crosby Mount Gravatt Mount Gravatt East Mount Isa Mount Lofty Mount Louisa Mount Low Mount Morgan Mount Nathan Mount Ommaney Mount Pleasant Mount Sheridan Mount Warren Park Mountain Creek Moura Mudgeeraba Mudjimba Mulambin Mundingburra Mundoolun Mundubbera Munruben Murarrie Murgon Murray Murrumba Downs Murweh Nambour Nanango Nanum Napranum Narangba Nathan Nebo Nelly Bay Nerang New Auckland New Beith New Farm Newmarket Newport Newstead Newtown Ninderry Ningi Nome Noosa Heads Noosaville Norman Gardens Norman Park Normanton North Booval North Burnett North Ipswich North Lakes North Mackay North Maclean North Toowoomba North Ward Northern Peninsula Area Norville Nudgee Nundah Oakey Oakhurst One Mile Oonoonba Ooralea Ormeau Ormeau Hills Ormiston Oxenford Oxley Pacific Paradise Pacific Pines Paddington Palm Beach Palm Cove Palm Island Palmwoods Paradise Point Park Avenue Park Ridge Park Ridge South Parkhurst Parkinson Parkside Parkwood Paroo Parramatta Park Parrearra Peachester Pelican Waters Peregian Beach Peregian Springs Petrie Petrie Terrace Pialba Pie Creek Pimlico Pimpama Pine Mountain Pioneer Pittsworth Plainland Point Vernon Pomona Pormpuraaw Port Douglas Proserpine Pullenvale Queenton Quilpie Raceview Railway Estate Rainbow Beach Rangeville Rangewood Rasmussen Ravenshoe Red Hill Redbank Redbank Plains Redland Redland Bay Redlynch Reedy Creek Regency Downs Regents Park Richlands Richmond River Heads Riverhills Riverview Robertson Robina Rochedale Rochedale South Rockhampton Rocklea Rockville Roma Rosemount Rosenthal Heights Rosewood Rosslea Rothwell Runaway Bay Runcorn Rural View Russell Island Sadliers Crossing Salisbury Samford Valley Sandgate Sandstone Point Sarina Scarborough Scarness Scenic Rim Seven Hills Seventeen Mile Rocks Shailer Park Sharon Sheldon Shorncliffe Silkstone Sinnamon Park Sippy Downs Slacks Creek Slade Point Soldiers Hill Somerset South Brisbane South Burnett South Gladstone South Kolan South Mackay South Maclean South Toowoomba South Townsville Southern Downs Southport Southside Spring Hill Springfield Springfield Lakes Springsure Springwood St George Stafford Stafford Heights Stanthorpe Strathpine Stretton Stuart Sun Valley Sunnybank Sunnybank Hills Sunrise Beach Sunset Sunshine Beach Sunshine Coast Surfers Paradise Svensson Heights Taigum Tallai Tallebudgera Tallebudgera Valley Tamborine Tamborine Mountain Tanah Merah Tanawha Tannum Sands Tara Taranganba Taringa Tarragindi Telina Teneriffe Tewantin Thabeban The Gap The Gemfields The Range Thorneside Thornlands Thursday Island Tieri Tin Can Bay Tinana Tingalpa Tivoli Tolga Toogoolawah Toogoom Toowong Toowoomba Torquay Torres Torres Strait Island Townsville Townview Trinity Beach Trinity Park Trunding Tugun Tully Twin Waters Underwood Upper Caboolture Upper Coomera Upper Kedron Upper Mount Gravatt Urangan Urraween Varsity Lakes Victoria Point Vincent Virginia Wacol Wakerley Walkerston Walkervale Walloon Wamuran Wandal Wandoan Warana Warner Warwick Waterford West Wavell Heights Weipa Wellesley Islands Wellington Point West End West Gladstone West Mackay West Rockhampton West Woombye Westbrook Westcourt Western Downs Westlake White Rock Whitfield Whitsunday Whitsundays Willow Vale Willowbank Wilsonton Wilsonton Heights Wilston Windaroo Windsor Winston Winton Wishart Withcott Witta Wondai Wondunna Wongaling Beach Wongawallan Woodend Woodford Woodgate Woodridge Woody Point Woolloongabba Wooloowin Woombye Woorabinda Woorim Woree Worongary Wujal Wujal Wulguru Wulkuraka Wurtulla Wynnum Wynnum West Wyreema Yamanto Yandina Yaroomba Yarrabah Yarrabilba Yarraman Yatala Yeerongpilly Yeppoon Yeppoon city centre Yeronga Yorkeys Knob Yungaburra Zillmere Zilzie Eagle Farm

Continue your search for resolution

Every dispute is personal and complex. We are here to provide the neutral space and expert guidance you need to find a lasting resolution in Queensland.

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