Custody Schedule Examples Australia: 50/50, 60/40, and Age-Based Plans

Why the Right Schedule Matters More Than Equal Numbers

Most separated parents fixate on hitting exactly 50/50 time. The court doesn't. Under the Family Law Act 1975 (as amended May 2024), judges evaluate parenting arrangements against six best-interests factors — with child safety at the top, not arithmetic.

That shift means your parenting schedule needs to fit your child's developmental stage, school routine, and the distance between households. A technically equal arrangement that disrupts sleep, school, and friendships won't survive judicial scrutiny or real life.

The 2-2-3 Rotating Schedule

This works well for children aged 4–5 who need frequent contact with both parents but struggle with long separations.

How it works: Parent A has Monday–Tuesday, Parent B has Wednesday–Thursday, and the Friday-to-Sunday block alternates each week. Over a fortnight, each parent gets exactly seven overnights.

Strengths: Short intervals reduce separation anxiety. Each parent sees the child every two to three days.

Drawbacks: Frequent changeovers are a lot. This schedule demands parents who live close to each other and communicate well. It falls apart quickly in high-conflict situations.

The 2-2-5-5 Schedule

For primary-school-age children (roughly 6–12), the 2-2-5-5 offers consistency without constant transitions.

How it works: Parent A always has Monday and Tuesday nights. Parent B always has Wednesday and Thursday nights. The five-day weekend block (Friday through Tuesday or Wednesday through Sunday, depending on configuration) rotates each week.

Strengths: Fixed weekday nights mean the child always knows where they'll wake up for school. Homework routines and extracurricular commitments stay stable.

Drawbacks: Still requires geographic proximity. The rotating long weekend can create confusion if parents don't plan handover times precisely.

Week-On, Week-Off (Week About)

A common schedule for adolescents (13+) who can manage longer periods away from each parent.

How it works: The child spends seven consecutive nights with each parent, alternating every Sunday evening (or Monday morning for school drop-off).

Strengths: Minimises changeovers to once a week. Gives each household a stable rhythm. Works well when parents live in different school zones, provided the child has transport.

Drawbacks: Seven nights away from one parent can be too long for younger children. For infants and toddlers, this schedule is generally inappropriate — attachment research consistently shows young children need short, frequent contact with both caregivers.

60/40 and 70/30 Arrangements

Not every family fits a 50/50 split. A 60/40 arrangement (typically nine nights with one parent and five with the other per fortnight) often suits families where one parent travels for work or where children are very young.

Under the child support formula administered by Services Australia, care percentages directly affect payment obligations. At 35–49% care, a parent receives a sliding cost credit (24% plus 2% for every percentage point above 35%). The exact number of overnight stays per year matters because it determines which care band applies.

Getting Changeovers Right

Handover logistics cause more day-to-day conflict than almost any other aspect of shared parenting. Practical principles that reduce friction:

• Neutral locations: School drop-off and pick-up works well because neither parent enters the other's home. For younger children not yet in school, a public space like a library or community centre keeps the exchange low-conflict.
• Defined times: "Around 5 pm" guarantees arguments. "5:00 pm at the school gate" does not.
• Belongings protocol: Each household should maintain its own set of basics (school uniforms, toiletries, chargers). Expecting a bag to travel perfectly between homes creates a weekly grievance cycle.
• Communication at handover: Keep it brief and child-focused. Detailed parenting discussions happen by text or email later, not in front of the child at the door.

Building a Schedule That Holds Up

Before committing any arrangement to a parenting plan or consent orders, pressure-test it against real calendar dates. Map out school terms, public holidays, and each parent's work roster for a full term. A schedule that looks balanced on paper can break down when one parent's FIFO roster or shift pattern doesn't align.

If you're preparing a parenting plan or gearing up for consent orders, the South Australia Child Custody & Parenting Plan Guide walks you through drafting schedules, structuring changeovers, and building holiday rotations that satisfy both parents and the court.

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