Mediation services in Melbourne
For family, workplace and community disputes
- Separation, parenting and family conflict
- Workplace and return-to-work disputes
- Neighbour and community disagreements
於 Invictus Health, a nationally accredited mediator helps you talk things through and reach an agreement you can live with. Fixed fees, sessions in English or Mandarin, in Preston, Dandenong, across Melbourne or online.
We approach every mediation with care, fairness and respect for each person's story.
Family and separation mediation
Help to agree on what happens next, calmly and fairly:
- Parenting arrangements after separation
- Dividing property and money
- Adult siblings and an ageing parent's care
- Tension between generations at home
Need a section 60I certificate for court? Read this first.
See family mediation feesWorkplace mediation
For employers, HR teams and employees:
- Conflict between colleagues
- Breakdown between a staff member and their manager
- Complaints that need a fair, structured conversation
- Teams that have stopped working well together
Return to work after an injury or claim
A WorkSafe or TAC claim can strain the relationship between a worker and their workplace. We help workers, managers and return-to-work coordinators agree on a practical plan and rebuild trust.
We do not mediate claim settlements or legal liability. If an Invictus clinician has assessed anyone in the claim, we will refer you to an independent mediator.
Talk to us about return to workCommunity and neighbour disputes
- Fences, trees, noise and shared driveways
- Housemates and co-owners
- Clubs, committees and faith or community groups
- Small business partners
Neutral and independent
Before we start, we check that no one at Invictus Health has treated or assessed anyone involved. If they have, we refer you to an independent mediator.
Mental health know-how
Conflict is stressful. Our mediator is trained in counselling, so strong feelings, grief and worry are handled with care and respect.
Your language, your culture
Mediation in English or Mandarin. We can help arrange an interpreter for other languages (extra costs may apply).
A trusted medico-legal team
Invictus Health provides independent assessments for courts, lawyers, insurers and government agencies. Mediation sits in that same team, with the same care for fairness and good records.
What to expect, step by step
Most people feel nervous before mediation. Knowing each step helps. From your first call to your mediation day usually takes two to four weeks, depending on everyone's availability.
Free 15-minute call
Tell us a little about what is happening. We explain how mediation works, check it suits your situation and answer your questions.
There is no cost and no pressure to book.
Inviting the other person
Mediation works when everyone chooses to be there. You can invite the other person yourself, or we can contact them for you, gently and without taking sides.
If they have questions, they can book their own free 15-minute call with us.
Your private intake session
Each person meets Maxi on their own. You share your side of the story, what matters most to you and what you hope will change.
We also ask about safety, including family violence, so we can plan a mediation that is safe for everyone. If mediation is not safe or not the right fit, we will tell you and help you find other support.
Getting ready
Everyone signs an Agreement to Mediate, which explains confidentiality and fees. You receive a short plan for the day.
If money or property is involved, we will ask you to share key documents first. We encourage everyone to get their own legal advice before the day.
The mediation session
You meet with Maxi in person or online. Here is how the session usually runs:
You can take a break at any time. If being in the same room is too hard, Maxi can move between two rooms so you never have to face each other. This is called shuttle mediation. Online sessions work the same way, with separate private video rooms.
Your written agreement and a follow-up call
Maxi writes down what you agreed in plain language and sends each person a copy.
A few weeks later we check in to see how the agreement is working. If something needs another look, you can book more time.
Is mediation right for us?
Mediation may suit you if
- You want to sort things out without going to court
- You need to keep working, parenting or living near each other
- You are both willing to listen, even if you strongly disagree
- You want a private, fixed-cost way forward
It may not be the right fit if
- Someone is afraid of the other person or at risk of harm
- Someone may not be able to make their own decisions. Our capacity assessment team can help with that first
- There is an urgent legal deadline or court order. Please speak with a lawyer
Mediation fees
Fixed and clear. You know the full cost before you start. Fees are usually shared equally between the people taking part. You can agree to split them differently, or an employer can pay.
Half-day mediation
- Private intake session for each person
- Preparation and planning
- Up to 3.5 hours of mediation
- Written summary of your agreement
- Follow-up check-in call
Often used for neighbour, community and simpler family matters.
Book a free callFull-day mediation
- Private intake session for each person
- Preparation and document review
- Up to 7 hours of mediation
- Written summary of your agreement
- Follow-up check-in call
Suits separation, property and money, and disputes with several issues.
Book a free callWorkplace mediation package
- Briefing with HR or the manager
- Private intake for two staff members
- Mediation on site, at our rooms or online
- Written outcome summary for the people involved
- Follow-up check-in at 4 to 6 weeks
Each extra participant: $550.
Ask about workplace mediationAll prices include GST. Extra time on the day is $440 an hour, shared between the parties. Mediation is not covered by Medicare or private health insurance. We explain our cancellation terms before you book.
Meet your mediator
Maxi Xie (he/they)
Nationally Accredited Mediator and Counsellor
Maxi is a nationally accredited mediator and an experienced counsellor at Invictus Health. Years of counselling mean Maxi stays calm and steady when feelings run high, and knows how to help each person feel heard.
Maxi speaks English and Mandarin fluently. They work in a way that is culturally safe and LGBTQIA+ affirming, and they understand how family expectations and culture shape conflict.
In mediation, Maxi's role is different from counselling. Maxi stays neutral, does not provide therapy and does not give legal advice. Maxi will not mediate for anyone they have seen as a counselling client.
檢視個人檔案Mediation near you
Meet in person at one of our Melbourne locations, or join by secure video from anywhere in Australia. In-person sessions are by appointment.
Preston (head office)
538A Murray Rd, Preston VIC 3072Close to Reservoir, Thornbury, Northcote, Coburg, Heidelberg and Melbourne's north. Wheelchair accessible.
丹德農
Level 10/14 Mason St, Dandenong VIC 3175Close to Noble Park, Springvale, Berwick, Cranbourne and Melbourne's south-east.
墨爾本中央商務區
Level 19/180 Lonsdale St, Melbourne VIC 3000Close to Carlton, Docklands, Southbank and inner Melbourne.
唐卡斯特東
1096 Doncaster Rd, Doncaster East VIC 3109Close to Templestowe, Box Hill, Balwyn and Melbourne's east.
南亞拉
Levels 19 & 20/644 Chapel St, South Yarra VIC 3141Close to Toorak, Prahran, Richmond and the inner south-east.
Online, Australia-wide
Secure video mediationSeparate private video rooms for each person when needed.
普通话调解服务
当家庭、分居、工作场所或邻里之间出现矛盾时，用自己最熟悉的语言沟通会容易得多。Maxi 是经过国家认证的调解员，能说流利的普通话和英语。调解过程保密、中立，不偏向任何一方。
我们在 Preston、Dandenong 和墨尔本市中心等地提供面对面服务，也可以在线进行。
常見問題
Common questions about mediation and the process.
Is a mediation agreement legally binding?
Not on its own. Your written agreement records what you both agreed in good faith. If you want it to be legally binding, a lawyer can turn it into the right legal document, such as consent orders for family matters or a deed of settlement for other disputes. We encourage each person to get their own legal advice before signing anything formal.
Can you give us a section 60I certificate for the Family Court?
Only a Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner (FDRP) listed on the Australian Government's register can issue a section 60I certificate. Our mediation service does not include a section 60I certificate. If you need one before applying to court about parenting, we will point you to a registered FDRP or a Family Relationship Centre. We can still help with property, money and other family disagreements.
Does the other person have to come?
Mediation is voluntary, so everyone must agree to take part. You can invite the other person yourself, or we can contact them for you. We explain mediation to them in a neutral way and never pressure anyone.
Do we need a lawyer?
No. Most people come to mediation without a lawyer. You are welcome to get legal advice before and after. Lawyers can also attend the session if everyone agrees beforehand.
Can I bring a support person?
Yes, if everyone agrees before the day. A support person is there for you during breaks and private time. They do not speak for you in the mediation.
Is mediation confidential?
Yes. Everyone signs an Agreement to Mediate that keeps what is said in the session private. There are some legal limits. For example, we must act if someone, especially a child, is at risk of serious harm. We explain these limits at your intake session.
What if we do not reach an agreement?
That can happen, and it is okay. Many people still settle some issues and leave with a clearer picture of what is left. You keep all your other options, including getting legal advice or going to a tribunal or court.
Can mediation be done online?
Yes. We run mediation by secure video anywhere in Australia. Each person can have their own private video room, and Maxi moves between rooms when needed.
How long does mediation take?
The free call takes 15 minutes. Intake sessions take 60 to 90 minutes for each person. The mediation itself is a half day (3.5 hours) or a full day (up to 7 hours). From first call to mediation day usually takes two to four weeks.
Are there free mediation services in Victoria?
Yes, for some disputes. The Dispute Settlement Centre of Victoria offers free mediation for many neighbour and community disputes. Family Relationship Centres offer free or low-cost family dispute resolution for separating families. Eligibility and waiting times vary. We offer a private, fixed-fee option with flexible booking times, a Mandarin-speaking mediator and a private intake session for each person.
One of us has seen an Invictus Health clinician. Can you still mediate?
Usually not. To keep mediation fair, we do not mediate if anyone at Invictus Health has treated or assessed one of the people involved in a way that could affect neutrality. We check this at the start and, if needed, we refer you to an independent mediator.
還有其他問題嗎？
Reach out to our team for more information about mediation. A free 15-minute call is a good place to start.