This is general information, not legal or financial advice. We're not lawyers. It's a plain-English map of how things work in Australia, so you know what to ask. For your situation, talk to a family lawyer, Legal Aid in your state, or the Family Relationship Advice Line on 1800 050 321. If you or your children are unsafe, call 000.
A clear, printable draft covering the schedule, holidays, Christmas, special days and decisions. Written for Australia, ready to take to your ex or to mediation.
Updated September 2026 · By Alex Laguna
A parenting plan is a written agreement between you and your ex about how you'll raise the kids from here: where they sleep, handovers, holidays, Christmas, and how decisions get made. It doesn't need a lawyer or a court. Men who turn up to mediation with a realistic, detailed plan tend to shape the outcome. This builder gets you a clear draft in about ten minutes.
A parenting plan is not legally enforceable. To count as one, it must be in writing, dated and signed by both parents, and agreed freely. A court may look at it later. If you need something binding, the same arrangements can be filed as consent orders ($215). Plans vs consent orders →
Pick a starting pattern, then tap any night to change who the children sleep with. Each square is one night.
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No. A parenting plan is a written agreement, dated and signed by both parents, but it isn't legally enforceable. A court can consider it later. To make arrangements legally binding, parents can apply to the court for consent orders ($215 from July 2026).
Where the children live and when, changeovers, school holidays, Christmas and special days, how you'll communicate, how big decisions are made, travel, and how you'll change the plan. This builder covers all of them.
No. Parents can write their own parenting plan. It's worth getting free legal information (for example from Legal Aid) if anything significant is at stake, like relocating, or safety concerns.
A two-week pattern where the children spend two nights with one parent, two nights with the other, then five nights with each, so both parents get time during the school week and alternate weekends. It's common for shared care with school-aged children.
Reminder: This page is general information about separation in Australia, checked against official sources in September 2026. Laws, fees and payment rates change. It is not legal, financial or tax advice and doesn't create a client relationship. For advice on your situation, see a family lawyer, Legal Aid, or a financial adviser.
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