You don't have to navigate separation alone
Separation is one of the most stressful life events anyone can go through. But Australia has a genuinely comprehensive network of free and subsidised services designed to help parents through it — covering legal advice, mediation, counselling, financial support, and court processes.
Many of these services are underused, simply because people don't know they exist. This guide covers everything that's available so you can access the help you need without adding to your financial stress.
Important: This article is general information only. The services listed are current as of 2025-26 but may change. Always confirm eligibility directly with the service provider.
Family Relationship Advice Line: 1800 050 321
This should be your first call. The Family Relationship Advice Line is a national telephone service funded by the Australian Government. It provides:
- Free information about family law, parenting arrangements, and child support
- Referrals to local services including Family Relationship Centres, mediation, counselling, and legal services
- Support for families affected by separation
Hours: Monday to Friday 8am-8pm, Saturday 10am-4pm (local time)
Cost: Free call from landlines. Mobile calls at mobile rates.
Family Relationship Centres
There are over 65 Family Relationship Centres across Australia, offering face-to-face support for families going through separation. Services include:
- Information sessions: Free group sessions explaining family law, parenting after separation, and the mediation process
- Family dispute resolution (mediation): First session is free. Subsequent sessions are $30-$150 based on income, or free for Health Care Card holders.
- Individual support: Help with developing a parenting plan
- Referrals: Connection to other local services including counselling, legal advice, and financial support
You're generally required to attempt family dispute resolution at a Family Relationship Centre (or equivalent) before applying to the Family Court for parenting orders. This requirement exists because mediation resolves the majority of disputes faster and cheaper than court.
Find your nearest centre at familyrelationships.gov.au or call 1800 050 321.
Legal Aid
Every state and territory has a Legal Aid commission that provides free legal services for family law matters. What's available:
Legal advice (free for everyone)
- Free initial advice sessions (usually 20-30 minutes) available to anyone regardless of income
- Available in person, by phone, and sometimes by video call
- You don't need to meet a means test for initial advice
Legal representation (means-tested)
- If your income and assets are below certain thresholds, Legal Aid may fund a lawyer to represent you in court proceedings
- Priority is given to matters involving children's safety, family violence, and parenting disputes
- Property-only matters receive less funding priority, but you should still apply if eligible
Duty lawyer services
- Free lawyers available at most Family Court and Federal Circuit Court registries on listing days
- Can help you understand court procedures, complete forms, and represent you in urgent matters
- No means test for duty lawyer services
Contact details for each state and territory Legal Aid:
- NSW: Legal Aid NSW — 1300 888 529
- VIC: Victoria Legal Aid — 1300 792 387
- QLD: Legal Aid Queensland — 1300 651 188
- WA: Legal Aid WA — 1300 650 579
- SA: Legal Services Commission SA — 1300 366 424
- TAS: Legal Aid Commission of Tasmania — 1300 366 611
- ACT: Legal Aid ACT — (02) 6243 3411
- NT: Northern Territory Legal Aid — 1800 019 343
Community Legal Centres
In addition to Legal Aid, there are over 180 community legal centres across Australia offering free legal advice, many with specialist family law programs. Some centres run regular family law clinics, women's legal services, or specialist programs for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families.
Find your nearest centre at clcs.org.au.
Services Australia (Centrelink) payments
Separation often triggers eligibility for government payments you didn't qualify for as a couple:
Family Tax Benefit (FTB)
- FTB Part A: Paid per child based on your income. Single parents often receive more than they did as a couple.
- FTB Part B: Additional payment for single parents. Worth up to $4,923 per year for children under 5, or $3,438 for children 5-18.
- Both parents can claim FTB if they have at least 35% care of the children.
Parenting Payment (Single)
- Up to $922.10 per fortnight (2025-26 rate) for single parents with a child under 14 (or under 8 if you receive a partial rate)
- Income test applies: reduces by 40 cents for each dollar earned over $202.60 per fortnight
Rent Assistance
- Up to $188.20 per fortnight for families (2025-26 rate)
- Paid with FTB Part A or another qualifying payment
- Available when you pay rent above a minimum threshold
Child Care Subsidy
- Reassessed based on your individual income after separation — you may qualify for a higher subsidy percentage
- Covers up to 90% of child care fees for lower-income families
Update your relationship status with Services Australia as soon as possible after separation to ensure you're receiving the correct payments. Call 136 150 or update online via myGov.
Counselling and mental health support
Mental Health Care Plan (Medicare)
Ask your GP for a Mental Health Care Plan referral. This gives you up to 10 subsidised sessions per year with a psychologist, social worker, or occupational therapist. Out-of-pocket costs are $0-$80 per session depending on the provider. Some psychologists bulk-bill under a Mental Health Care Plan.
Kids helplines and support
- Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800 — free, 24/7 counselling for children and young people aged 5-25
- Headspace: Free or low-cost mental health support for young people aged 12-25
- Parentline: Available in most states — free phone counselling for parents
Family and relationship counselling
- Relationships Australia: Sliding scale fees based on income, starting from $10-$20 per session
- Anglicare, Uniting, and CatholicCare: Offer subsidised counselling in most areas
- Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636 — free support for depression and anxiety
- Lifeline: 13 11 14 — 24/7 crisis support
Family violence support
If you or your children are experiencing family violence, specialist services are available:
- 1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732 — national domestic violence and sexual assault helpline (24/7)
- Mensline Australia: 1300 78 99 78 — support for men dealing with family violence, relationship issues, and mental health
- Safe Steps (VIC): 1800 015 188
- DV Connect (QLD): 1800 811 811
If you're in immediate danger, call 000.
Court self-help resources
The Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia provides free self-help resources:
- Family Law Self-Help Hub: Step-by-step guides for common applications at fcfcoa.gov.au
- Forms and filing guides: All court forms are free to download with instructions
- Court registry staff: Can help you understand procedures and complete forms (they can't give legal advice)
- Duty lawyers: Available at court on listing days for free advice and urgent representation
Financial counselling
- National Debt Helpline: 1800 007 007 — free, confidential financial counselling
- Services Australia Financial Information Service: 132 300 — free guidance on government payments and budgeting
- MoneySmart (ASIC): moneysmart.gov.au — free budget planners, calculators, and financial guides
Our separation calculators
All of our separation calculators are free to use and can help you understand the financial picture:
- Child Support Estimator — estimate your child support using the Services Australia formula
- Care Percentage Calculator — convert nights into care percentage and care bands
- Property Settlement Estimator — get a ballpark for how assets might be divided
- Separation Cost Planner — map out the one-off and ongoing costs of separation
- Two-Household Budget Calculator — model your finances across two homes
- Shared Expenses Splitter — calculate fair shares of children's costs
- Co-Parenting Schedule Calculator — visualise and compare parenting arrangements
- Child Support Change Calculator — estimate the impact of income or care changes
For guidance on how the child support formula works, read our article on how child support is calculated in Australia. For budgeting after separation, see our two-household budget survival guide.
