Upon the breakdown of a relationship where there are children, if the parents are unable to reach agreement between themselves as to the parenting arrangements for the children, then there is a requirement to participate in mediation prior to contemplating any Court proceedings In the community there is a large number of service providers of mediation, most notably Family Relationship Centres which receive government funding to provide a few hour’s free service

Under the Commonwealth Constitution, the Federal government has the power to make laws with respect to marriage As such, the various States and Territories historically were left with the power to make laws dealing with matters arising out of the breakdown of de facto relationships, including parenting and financial issues