Post-Separation Parenting Programs in Australia: What They Cover and Where to Find Them
Post-Separation Parenting Programs: What They Are and Whether You Need One
You have just separated and your eight-year-old is acting out at school. Your co-parent handles bedtime differently, screen time rules are inconsistent across households, and every handover ends in a tense exchange in the driveway. A post-separation parenting program addresses exactly this kind of friction.
What a Post-Separation Parenting Program Actually Covers
Post-separation parenting programs are structured courses — usually four to eight sessions — designed to help separated parents reduce conflict and focus on their children's developmental needs. They are delivered by accredited family relationship organisations, community legal centres, and some private practitioners.
Core topics typically include:
- How separation affects children at different ages — what regression, acting out, and withdrawal actually signal, and how to respond without escalating
- Parallel parenting vs co-parenting — strategies for high-conflict situations where direct communication between parents needs to be minimised
- Consistent routines across households — aligning bedtimes, homework expectations, and discipline without requiring the parents to agree on everything
- Managing handovers — reducing tension at changeover points through structured protocols (neutral locations, brief exchanges, written communication only)
- Keeping children out of the middle — recognising when children are being used as messengers, spies, or emotional supports
These programs do not provide legal advice. They focus on the practical and emotional dimensions of shared parenting after the relationship has ended.
Court-Ordered vs Voluntary Attendance
The Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (FCFCOA) can order a parent to attend a post-separation parenting program under section 13C of the Family Law Act 1975. This typically happens when:
- A family consultant's report identifies communication breakdown as a risk to the child
- A parent has breached parenting orders and the court wants education before imposing harsher penalties
- Mediation failed because one or both parents could not separate their own conflict from the child's needs
Voluntary attendance is more common. Many parents attend before or during mediation to strengthen their negotiating position and demonstrate good faith to the court. A certificate of completion from a recognised program is often referenced in affidavits and can carry weight with registrars reviewing consent order applications.
Where to Find Programs in Tasmania
Tasmania has fewer providers than the mainland states, but several organisations deliver post-separation parenting courses:
- Relationships Australia Tasmania — offices in Hobart, Launceston, and Devonport. Offers both individual sessions and group programs for separating parents. Fees are income-scaled, starting from $20-$40 for intake.
- CatholicCare Tasmania — runs "Between Two Homes," a child-focused post-separation program available in Hobart, Launceston, and Burnie. Free or low-cost.
- Anglicare Tasmania — provides family support and parenting programs across multiple regional centres.
- Family Relationship Centres (FRCs) — funded by the federal government, FRCs offer referral pathways to local parenting courses and can connect rural families with telephone or video-based programs.
For parents outside Hobart and Launceston, several national providers deliver programs online:
- Triple P (Positive Parenting Program) — evidence-based modules available via telehealth
- Raising Children Network — free online resources developed with the Australian Government, covering separation-specific parenting guidance
Free Download
Get the Tasmania — Parenting Plan Starter Checklist
Everything in this article as a printable checklist — plus action plans and reference guides you can start using today.
Costs and Duration
Government-subsidised programs through Relationships Australia or CatholicCare typically cost between $0 and $60 per session, scaled to household income. Private programs range from $150 to $500 for a full course.
Most programs run four to six weekly sessions of two hours each. Some offer intensive weekend formats. Online self-paced options are increasingly common, especially for regional and rural parents who face travel barriers.
Does Completing a Program Help Your Case?
Completing a post-separation parenting program is not a legal requirement for filing consent orders or a parenting plan. But it signals to the court that you are invested in your child's wellbeing and willing to learn skills that reduce conflict.
If your matter proceeds to a contested hearing, a family consultant assessing your parenting capacity may note whether you have engaged with any structured parenting education. It is one of the practical steps that demonstrates the "parental capacity" factor under the best interests checklist in section 60CC.
For a structured approach to the full custody process in Tasmania — from separation through to consent orders — the Tasmania Child Custody & Parenting Plan Guide includes parenting schedule templates and worksheets designed to complement what these programs teach.
Get Your Free Tasmania — Parenting Plan Starter Checklist
Download the Tasmania — Parenting Plan Starter Checklist — a printable guide with checklists, scripts, and action plans you can start using today.