Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner
What the work is
Assists people to resolve disputes over care of children, property and financial arrangements that arise from family separation or divorce.
Would you enjoy the work?
These are the main tasks in the official description. Mark how each one sounds to you.
- Conducts intake interviews with clients to gather information about their dispute
- Assesses the suitability of clients for family dispute resolution
- Facilitates communication and negotiation between parties to help them reach agreements
- Provides information and education to clients about their rights and responsibilities
- Refers clients to other support services as needed, such as counselling or legal advice
- Maintains accurate and confidential records of client interactions and agreements reached
Try it
A simulation and a case study from this kind of work, set in a regional magistrates court and a family dispute resolution service in a fictional state. They are fictional.
The kind of days you could have
Good days
- Two parents who arrived angry leave with a plan for the school holidays
- A self-represented person says they felt heard, even though the decision went against them
- A busy list finishes on time and every matter was treated with care
Hard days
- A full list, a short day and people who are upset, confused or frightened
- A decision that will disappoint someone, however carefully you reach it
- Hearing the same sad stories again and again and having to stay fair
Written by Career Calling as a general guide. Real roles vary by employer and place.
Work a mission
Step into a simulated workplace in this field, with a brief from your manager.
Description and tasks: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Occupation Standard Classification for Australia, 2024, Version 1.0 (opens another site), occupation 281231, used under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 licence. The skill guide above is our plain English summary.