Maintaining funding for family relationship services: here's why that matters

Supporting families through separation 

Separation is one of the most stressful experiences many families will face. 

It can bring emotional strain, financial pressure, housing instability and uncertainty about parenting arrangements. For children, the experience can be confusing and distressing if conflict between parents remains unresolved. 

Family relationship services are designed to help families manage these challenges in a constructive way. 

These services provide support such as family dispute resolution, counselling and children’s contact services. They help parents develop safe co-parenting arrangements and work through disagreements without relying on costly and adversarial court processes. 

‘When families have access to early support, they are far more likely to resolve disputes without going through the court system,’ Graeme explains. ‘That reduces stress for parents and children and leads to more sustainable outcomes for families.’ 

By supporting families early, these services help stabilise parenting arrangements, reduce ongoing conflict, and protect children from prolonged disputes. 

 

 

Early support prevents bigger problems 

Family relationship services are often described as early-intervention services because they focus on resolving issues before they escalate. 

When families receive support early, many disputes can be resolved outside the court system. This reduces stress for parents and children while also easing pressure on Australia’s legal system. 

Across Australia, family relationship services play a vital role in supporting families: 

• around 500,000 Australians access family and relationship services each year 
• the sector employs approximately 5,500 skilled professionals across the country 
• more than 47,000 divorces occur annually, alongside many more de facto separations 
• services operate in metropolitan, regional and remote communities 
• family law services deliver approximately $7.85 in social and economic benefits for every dollar invested 

Without these services, many families would have little choice but to pursue lengthy legal processes or rely on already stretched crisis services. 

Graeme says this preventative approach is one of the most valuable aspects of the system. 

‘Family relationship services operate at the preventative end of the family law system,’ he says. ‘They help families resolve conflict before it reaches a breaking point and before disputes escalate into more costly and adversarial processes.’ 

Early intervention helps prevent problems from escalating into situations that require court proceedings, child protection involvement or other intensive interventions. 

 

Protecting children during difficult transitions 

Children are often the most vulnerable during family separation. 

High levels of parental conflict can affect a child’s emotional wellbeing, sense of stability and relationship with both parents. Family relationship services help reduce that conflict and support safe, child-focused outcomes. 

By helping parents communicate more effectively and focus on their children’s needs, these services create a pathway for families to move forward in healthier ways. 

They also play an important role in situations involving safety concerns. Separation can be a particularly high-risk period for the escalation of family and domestic violence, which means families may need specialist support to navigate this time safely. 

‘Separation is one of the most complex and vulnerable periods in a family’s life,’ Graeme says. ‘Having skilled practitioners available to support families during that time can make a profound difference to safety and stability for both parents and children.’ 

Family relationship services include risk assessment, safety planning and structured processes that prioritise the wellbeing of children and vulnerable family members. 

 

Strengthening the wider family law system 

While many people think of family law primarily in terms of courts, the system is much broader than that. 

Family relationship services act as an essential foundation within the system, supporting families before disputes reach a legal crisis point. 

When families can resolve issues early through mediation, counselling or parenting support, it reduces pressure on courts, legal aid services and other parts of the justice system. 

This preventative approach benefits not only families but also the wider community. 

‘The evidence shows these services deliver real value,’ Graeme says. ‘Every dollar invested in family law services returns significant social and economic benefits by reducing pressure on courts, legal assistance and child protection systems.’ 

By helping families stabilise earlier, these services reduce the need for more costly interventions later. 

 

Supporting national priorities for safety and wellbeing 

Family relationship services also play a key role in supporting broader national priorities. 

They contribute to the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children by helping identify risks early and supporting safer pathways through separation. 

They also support the Australian Government’s Closing the Gap commitments, particularly efforts to reduce the over-representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in out-of-home care and to improve safety outcomes for women and children. 

By working with families at an early stage, these services help strengthen family relationships, reduce harm and support safer outcomes for children across communities. 

 

Helping families move forward 

At Interrelate, we see every day how the right support at the right time can make a meaningful difference for families. 

Through services such as family dispute resolution, counselling and children’s contact services, we help families manage separation in ways that prioritise safety, stability and the wellbeing of children. 

‘Families don’t need to navigate separation alone,’ Graeme says. ‘With the right support, many families are able to resolve disputes constructively and move forward in ways that protect their children and maintain important family relationships.’ 

Family breakdown can be one of life’s most difficult experiences, but families don’t have to face it without support. 

If you or your family are going through separation or conflict, Interrelate’s experienced practitioners are here to help.