1. Mediating with Aboriginal Families Sarah Jefford Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service

2. Family Dispute Resolution Practitioners Regulated by the A-G’s Department. Practitioners must be registered with the Department. FDR Practitioners have completed a Vocational Graduate Diploma which includes 100 hours of placement.

3. Family Dispute Resolution Provided by family mediation services, including Family Relationships Centres, Relationships Australia, LifeWorks Victoria Legal Aid runs the Family Dispute Resolution Service

4. Family Dispute Resolution Comprehensive Intake processes Shuttle and In-Person Formats The aim is to reach a written agreement Legal Advice before, during and after the mediation s60I Certificates issued which allow parties to proceed to litigation if they need to.

5. Culturally Responsive FDR All FDR services in Victoria are mainstream Some services employ a CALD worker or an ALO; most have a RAP There are a few Aboriginal FDRPs employed in the mainstream mediation services, including one at VLA’s FDRS. FDR has strict requirements under the Family Law Act which are not generally culturally responsive.

6. Aboriginal Mediation Services VALS is working with mainstream mediation services to develop their cultural awareness and culturally appropriate practices. At VLA’s FDRS, we can request the Aboriginal FDRP to mediate with our families. VALS is keen to develop an Aboriginal Mediation Service in Victoria Other services have developed models for mediating with Aboriginal families– Aboriginal Mediation Service (WA) Family Relationships Centre in Alice Springs