When you separate and have children, one of the first things you’ll need to figure out is: how will parenting work from here?

Who will the kids live with? When will they see the other parent? How will school holidays, birthdays, and decisions be handled?

If you can agree on these things without going to court, you can write up a Parenting Plan—a simple, flexible way to organise parenting arrangements.

This page explains what a parenting plan is, how to make one, and why it can help reduce conflict and confusion.

What Is a Parenting Plan?

A parenting plan is a written agreement between both parents that covers:

• Where the children live

• How much time they spend with each parent

• How decisions are made (like health and schooling)

• Communication between parents

• Special occasions and holidays

It’s not a court order—but it can still be a powerful way to get on the same page and avoid misunderstandings.

Why Use a Parenting Plan?

• It’s faster and cheaper than going to court

• It helps both parents understand their responsibilities

• It gives children more stability

• It can change over time if both parents agree

Example:
After separating, Priya and Matt used a parenting plan to agree that their son would stay with Priya during the school week and spend every second weekend with Matt. They also outlined how they’d handle school holidays, birthdays, and medical decisions.

Is a Parenting Plan Legally Binding?

No, a parenting plan is not legally enforceable—but it can show the court what you agreed to, if things later break down.

If you want to make your agreement enforceable, you can ask the Family Court to turn it into consent orders. This involves a formal application but no court hearing, if you both agree.

What Should Be Included?

You can include as much detail as you need. Common topics are:

• Day-to-day schedule

• Pick-up and drop-off arrangements

• Communication (texts, calls, emails)

• School choices and expenses

• Medical appointments

• International travel

• Handling disagreements

Example:
Laura and Josh included in their parenting plan that they would both attend school meetings and that major decisions would require discussion first, even if the child lives primarily with one of them.

How Do You Make One?

1. Talk through what’s best for your child

2. Write down what you agree on

3. Date and sign the plan (both of you)

4. Review it regularly as your child grows

Mediation or family dispute resolution can help if you’re struggling to agree. Services like Relationships Australia or private mediators can assist.

Final Thought

A parenting plan helps reduce stress, set expectations, and keep everyone focused on what matters: the kids.

At Aussie Divorce, we show you how to create practical parenting arrangements without confusion or court battles—just clear guidance in plain English.