Mediation services are provided by professionals. Successful mediation requires skill and knowledge. Clients of the Wollongong Mediation Centre can certainly benefit from the exposure and experience that the mediators have had as Family Law Practitioners over many years; including accreditation as specialists in Family Law and Children's Law.

Mediation is not free and is usually charged out at an hourly rate. Usually, the parties to a dispute share equally in the cost of mediation. In some cases, the parties might agree that one party pays for all of the mediation.The costs of the mediation are much lower than the cost of litigation.

Even organisations which have Commonwealth Funding for mediation (such as Family Relationship Centres) only offer free mediation for the first three (3) hours. After that the parties must pay for their mediation.

Many people are prepared to pay for private mediation because of the experience and expertise of the mediator and because appointments are available much earlier than in Government funded organisations throughout Wollongong and the Illawarra.

The costs of meditation at the Wollongong Meditation Centre are as set out below.

PARENTING DISPUTES WITH THE PARTIES ATTENDING WITHOUT LEGAL REPRESENTATION

• Initial assessment by phone.
• Introductory letter to initiating party sending Intake Risk Assessment Checklist.
• Invitation letter to other party enclosing Intake Risk Assessment Checklist.
• Considering responses to determine whether the dispute is suitable for mediation.
• Issuing Certificate to initiating party if the other party refuses or fails to engage in mediation, or if the matter is deemed unsuitable for mediation.
  
  STEP 1 COST $250.00 (incl GST)
  (to be paid by initiating party)

• Book in and confirm the mediation after speaking with the other party.
• Convening a joint mediation session for up to 3 hours.
• Issuing Certificate for attendance at mediation.
  
  STEP 2 COST $880.00 (incl GST)
  (the parties are asked to share this cost equally)

• To draft a Parenting Plan, Terms of Settlement or Consent Orders.
• To make amendments to draft documentation
  
  STEP 3 COST $220.00 (incl GST)
  (the parties are asked to share this cost equally)

• If no agreement is reached after 3 hours, for additional time added on, or at a subsequent settlement conference convened later.
  
  STEP 4 COST $175.00 per hour per party (incl GST)
  

PARENTING DISPUTES WITH THE PARTIES ATTENDING WITH LEGAL REPRESENTATION

• Initial assessment by phone.
• Introductory letter to initiating party sending Intake Risk Assessment Checklist.
• Invitation letter to other party enclosing Intake Risk Assessment Checklist.
• Considering responses to determine whether the dispute is suitable for mediation.
• Issuing Certificate to initiating party if the other party refuses or fails to engage in mediation, or if the matter is deemed unsuitable for mediation.
  
  STEP 1 COST $250.00 (incl GST)
  (to be paid by initiating party)

• Book in and confirm the mediation after speaking with the other party.
• Convening a joint mediation session for up to 3 hours.
• Issuing Certificate for attendance at mediation.
  
  STEP 2 COST $1,100.00 (incl GST)
  (the parties are asked to share this cost equally)

• Book in and confirm the mediation after speaking with the other party.
• To draft a Parenting Plan, Terms of Settlement or Consent Orders.
• To make amendments to draft documentation.
  
  STEP 3 COST $220.00 (incl GST)
  (the parties are asked to share this cost equally)

• If no agreement is reached after 3 hours, for additional time added on, or at a subsequent settlement conference convened later.
  
  STEP 4 COST $175.00 per hour per party (incl GST)
  

PROPERTY DISPUTES WITH THE PARTIES ATTENDING WITH LEGAL REPRESENTATION

• Sending out letter to both parties enclosing Financial Questionnaires
• Perusing completed Questionnaires and any supporting documents
• Phone calls and other correspondence to arrange mutually suitable date and time
• Preparing agreed balance sheet and facts (if any)
  
  STEP 1 COST $220.00 per party (incl GST)
  

• Convening a joint mediation session with the parties and their lawyers lasting for up to 3 hours.
  
  STEP 2 COST $770.00 per party (incl GST)
  

• If no agreement is reached after 3 hours, for additional time added on, or at a subsequent settlement conference convened later
  
  STEP 3 COST $175.00 per hour per party (incl GST)