Introduction

Separation can create difficult challenges for parents, particularly when disagreements continue about children, communication, schedules, or existing court orders. The Parenting Orders Program is an Australian family-support service designed to help separated families manage parenting arrangements and put court orders into practice while keeping children’s needs and safety in focus.

The program is particularly relevant to families experiencing ongoing conflict or difficulty following parenting arrangements. It can involve education, counselling, dispute-resolution support and other child-focused strategies, depending on the family’s circumstances and the service provider.

What Is the Parenting Orders Program?

The Parenting Orders Program is part of Australia’s broader family relationship services. It supports separated families experiencing difficulties with parenting arrangements and, in appropriate circumstances, helps parents understand and implement parenting orders made by a court.

The program has a strong focus on children. Rather than simply concentrating on disagreements between adults, the service can help parents consider how ongoing conflict affects their children and develop more constructive ways of managing parenting responsibilities.

Government guidance describes the program as assisting high-conflict separated families to establish or maintain relationships while considering children’s best interests and the safety of everyone involved.

Why Might a Family Need the Program?

Parenting arrangements can become complicated after separation. Parents may disagree about where children live, when they spend time with each parent, communication arrangements, school-related decisions or other responsibilities.

The Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia explains that post-separation parenting programs are intended to help parents resolve disputes and provide practical strategies that can help children adapt to separation. A Parenting Orders Program can specifically assist where people are having difficulty putting court orders into practical effect.

The program may therefore be useful when:

• Parents are struggling to communicate constructively.
• Existing parenting arrangements are difficult to implement.
• Conflict is affecting children.
• A parent has difficulty understanding responsibilities under parenting orders.
• A court has required attendance at a post-separation parenting program.
• Parents need support developing more cooperative parenting strategies.

Not every family will need the same type of assistance, and the services available can differ between providers.

What Happens During a Parenting Orders Program?

There is no single format used by every provider. Family Relationships Online information explains that Parenting Orders Programs may include discussions with a family counsellor, information sessions, education groups and, where both parents are willing, family dispute resolution.

Some programs may begin with an individual assessment. This can help the provider understand the family situation and determine what type of support is appropriate.

For example, a provider may offer:

Individual Support

A parent may have an opportunity to discuss separation, communication difficulties, parenting challenges and concerns about their children with a qualified professional.

Parenting Education

Education can help parents understand how separation and conflict may affect children. Programs may also provide practical strategies for communication, cooperation and managing difficult parenting situations.

Counselling

Family counselling can provide a structured environment for discussing issues connected with separation and parenting. The exact counselling arrangements depend on the provider and the family’s circumstances.

Dispute Resolution

Where appropriate and safe, dispute-resolution services may help parents work toward practical arrangements. Family dispute resolution is separate from the Parenting Orders Program itself, although the services can sometimes work together.

Does the Program Change a Parenting Order?

The Parenting Orders Program is not a court and does not independently change parenting orders.

If a court has made parenting orders, those orders remain important legal obligations unless they are changed, suspended or replaced through the appropriate legal process. The program is intended to help parents understand and put arrangements into practice rather than acting as a substitute for the court.

Australian legislation also allows a court, in certain circumstances, to require a person to attend a post-separation parenting program. The legislation provides specific rules concerning attendance and circumstances in which a provider considers someone unsuitable to participate or fails to complete the program.

Can Children Be Involved?

Children’s needs are central to the Parenting Orders Program, but the way children participate depends on the service and circumstances.

Government program guidance states that the program uses child-focused and, where appropriate, child-inclusive interventions. The aim is to support families while considering children’s best interests and safety.

Some providers may involve children through age-appropriate support, while others may work primarily with parents. A provider will generally consider the individual circumstances of the family when deciding what approach is suitable.

What Skills Can Parents Develop?

A key purpose of post-separation parenting support is helping parents manage future situations more constructively.

Depending on the service, parents may learn about:

• Better communication techniques
• Managing disagreements
• Understanding children’s needs
• Reducing the impact of parental conflict
• Supporting children through separation
• Developing practical parenting routines
• Managing difficult emotions
• Cooperating around children’s activities and responsibilities

For example, CatholicCare Victoria describes its Parenting Orders Program as providing support and education around conflict resolution, children’s needs, communication, cooperation and the effects of conflict on children.

Is Attendance Always Voluntary?

Not necessarily.

Some parents access family relationship services voluntarily. However, a court can make an order requiring attendance at a post-separation parenting program in appropriate circumstances. Australian legislation expressly provides for courts to make such orders.

When attendance has been ordered by a court, the person should carefully read the relevant court order and follow its requirements. The Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia notes that people ordered to undertake a post-separation parenting program may generally be responsible for the cost unless the order states otherwise.

Where Can Families Find a Parenting Orders Program?

Parenting Orders Programs are delivered through approved or funded family relationship service providers in different parts of Australia. The Australian Government identifies Parenting Orders Program/Post Separation Cooperative Parenting Program services as part of the support available to separated parents.

Family Relationships Online provides information about individual service providers and their available services. For example, current provider listings include Relationships Australia services offering Parenting Orders Programs in Queensland.

Because services and locations can change, families should check the current provider information when looking for assistance.

Parenting Orders Program and Family Dispute Resolution

The two services are related but have different purposes.

Family Dispute Resolution (FDR) is a structured process designed to help separated people resolve family-law disputes and reach agreements where possible. Post-separation parenting programs, including Parenting Orders Programs, are primarily designed to support parents with parenting skills, communication and practical implementation of arrangements.

A family may receive one service, both services, or another form of support depending on its circumstances.

The Importance of a Child-Focused Approach

One of the most important principles behind the Parenting Orders Program is keeping children at the centre of parenting decisions.

Separation can be challenging for children, particularly when they are exposed to ongoing parental conflict. A child-focused approach encourages parents to think beyond their disagreement and consider what children need to feel secure, supported and able to maintain appropriate relationships.

The Australian Government’s program guidance specifically identifies children’s best interests and safety as important considerations in the program’s approach.

Final Thoughts

Understanding the Parenting Orders Program can help separated parents recognise what support may be available when parenting arrangements become difficult. The program is designed to assist families experiencing parenting conflict, improve understanding of children’s needs and help parents develop practical strategies for managing arrangements after separation.

It does not replace the role of the court, and it does not automatically change existing parenting orders. Instead, it provides a structured form of support that can help families work toward safer, clearer and more workable parenting arrangements.

The Australian Government continues to include Parenting Orders Program/Post Separation Cooperative Parenting Program services within its broader family relationship services framework. A 2024 review of the Family Relationships Services Program also examined the program and identified areas for potential improvement, including clearer program purpose and more holistic support for families.

For any family involved in court proceedings or subject to parenting orders, individual legal advice may also be appropriate because the correct steps depend on the wording of the orders and the family’s circumstances.

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