A free parenting plan template gives separated parents in Australia a structured starting point for setting out how they’ll organise parenting matters. A parenting plan is a written agreement that outlines the care arrangements for children and is signed and dated by the parents, serving as an informal way to agree on these arrangements. Making co-parenting arrangements can seem daunting. But there are freely available templates that can help you cover all critical considerations effectively. It’s important to find a template that provides a reliable pathway to a workable plan.
Key takeaways
A parenting plan’s form can impact whether the Court takes it seriously.
Your template should meet certain criteria before you use it.
There are a number of resources available to help parties make a parenting plan.
In some circumstances, parties may decide a consent order is more appropriate.
Follow some basic tips to make sure a template works for you.
How parenting plan templates fit into Australian family law
Parenting plans are informal in the sense that they’re not directly enforceable in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (FCFCOA). But this doesn’t mean that parenting plans don’t have legal status. The Family Law Act defines a parenting plan in Section 63C as an agreement that has the following characteristics:
It’s a written agreement.
Both parties sign and date the document.
Neither party entered the agreement through duress or coercion.
Is a parenting plan right for you?
Answer 5 quick questions to find out which arrangement may best suit your situation.
A parenting plan could be a good starting point
Based on your answers, your situation has the cooperation and stability that parenting plans work best with. It's a flexible, lower-cost option to formalise arrangements without going to court.
- Easier to update as children grow and circumstances change
- No court fees or lengthy process required
- Can be considered by the FCFCOA if well-drafted and followed
- Can be upgraded to consent orders later if needed
We recommend having a family lawyer review your plan before signing to ensure it is comprehensive and holds up.
This tool provides general guidance only and is not legal advice. Family law outcomes depend on your individual circumstances. Contact Shanahan Family Law for advice specific to your situation.
Consent orders may offer stronger protection
Based on your answers, a parenting plan may not provide enough security for your situation. Consent orders are legally enforceable and offer more protection if arrangements break down.
- Enforceable by the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia
- Clear consequences if arrangements are not followed
- Better suited where travel, safety, or compliance are concerns
- Can be sought by agreement — no contested hearing required
Speaking with a family lawyer early helps you understand your options and protect your children's wellbeing.
This tool provides general guidance only and is not legal advice. Family law outcomes depend on your individual circumstances. Contact Shanahan Family Law for advice specific to your situation.
A parenting plan now, with consent orders in mind
Your situation sits in between. A parenting plan can work for now, but it is worth considering consent orders once arrangements settle or if things become more complicated.
- Use a parenting plan to trial arrangements while things stabilise
- Review whether consent orders are needed in 6–12 months
- Get legal advice to understand when formalising becomes the better choice
- Keep records of how the plan is working in practice
A family lawyer can help you draft a solid plan now and advise when moving to formal orders makes sense.
This tool provides general guidance only and is not legal advice. Family law outcomes depend on your individual circumstances. Contact Shanahan Family Law for advice specific to your situation.
Impact in family law
A parenting plan isn’t legally enforceable directly. However, it can have implications for court orders. Before making parenting orders, the FCFCOA may consider the most recent existing plan if it’s in the child’s best interests. In these circumstances, a parenting plan provides evidence for the following:
Terms that the parties had already agreed were appropriate.
What arrangement has already worked in practice.
The willingness of each parent to cooperate.
Routines that have already been established for the child.
When a parenting plan is taken seriously by the Court
Parenting plans aren’t required to take a specific form. But the FCFCOA are typically more likely to take a plan more seriously if it meets criteria, such as:
It sets out its terms in an unambiguous way.
The plan covers co-parenting matters comprehensively.
Both parties have followed the plan after it was implemented.
It reflects the child’s best interests.
The terms are practical rather than aspirational.
Section 63C(2) outlines what a parenting plan may deal with, including:
The child’s living arrangements.
Other parties the child may spend time with, such as extended family.
How parental responsibility will be shared regarding decision-making for long-term issues.
How the parents will communicate with each other about those parental responsibilities.
What child maintenance will be provided (child support is assessed separately by Services Australia).
The dispute resolution measures that will be in place to resolve disagreements.
The process for altering the plan if needed.
Whatever else needs to be considered for the child’s well-being.
What to look for in a free parenting plan template
If you’re looking for an effective template, here are some key components to look out for:
The template needs to relate to Australian law. You’d be surprised how many parties choose a particular template, only to find out that it’s optimised for US or UK legislation. For example, if it uses terms like ‘joint legal custody’ or ‘sole legal custody’, it may not be relevant to Australian law.
Check that it encompasses the most current family law reforms. There have been a lot of changes to how considerations, such as family violence and child abuse, are factored into parenting matters. The approach to equal shared parental responsibility has also changed, the presumption of equal shared parental responsibility was removed on 6 May 2024.Your template should reflect these changes.
Make sure that there’s a space to sign and date the plan. It’s easy for parties to forget these basic inclusions.
People tend to focus on each parent’s responsibilities and what living arrangements will look like. It’s important for a template to also make room for dispute resolution measures.
A good dispute resolution clause commits both parents to use mediation or family dispute resolution rather than immediate court action when disagreements arise.
Beyond day-to-day care, a template should allow for how special arrangements will be handled. Typically, school holidays, birthdays, and major holidays require specific scheduling. A clear schedule of when each parent will spend time with the child is crucial, as it helps reduce conflicts and misunderstandings, including arrangements for holidays and special occasions.
Make sure the template lets you clarify who makes major long-term decisions about the child’s education, health, and religious upbringing (parental responsibility).
A good template should include a clear breakdown of how expenses beyond child support are covered, such as extracurricular activities and medical out-of-pocket costs.
Make sure the template can be stored in multiple forms, such as a PDF file and a Word Document.
Free parenting plan templates and tools in Australia
Here are some resources that our clients have found useful for their co-parenting arrangements.
Family Relationships Online Parenting Plans Fact Sheet
This fact sheet provides parents with in-depth information on what may be included and how the law defines what’s in a child’s best interests. There’s also information on how care arrangements may affect child support payments and contains a list of resources that may help parties draft a plan. For comprehensive and localised templates, refer to official guides such as the Family Relationships Online resources.
We particularly like that it emphasises the need to use a family dispute resolution practitioner to reduce conflict with the other parent. The fact sheet could be useful for those who are starting from scratch and need help understanding where to begin.
Parenting Orders What You Need to Know handbook (Attorney-General's Department, 2nd edition)
This handbook is an exhaustive 84-page document that gives you detailed guidance on all aspects of a parenting plan. The resources it lists covers family violence concerns, as well as health support services. It also contains resources aimed specifically at Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
The handbook offers numerous examples of what a written agreement looks like, which can give you an idea of what kind of language to use. For example, it shows you how to stick to business-like communication when dealing with parenting time and major decisions, including the child’s education and medical care. It also distinguishes between parenting plans and legally binding court orders.
Amica
Amica is an online tool provided by National Legal Aid. It helps parties create legal documents for family law matters through a straightforward online interface. The tool was created with the assistance of family lawyers and reflects the latest updates to Australian family law. It enables you to create a schedule and manage major issues, such as:
Medical decisions related to the child.
Extracurricular activities and other special occasions.
The agreement can be used as the basis for a consent order if you want to make it enforceable. We appreciate that the software is flexible and can help parties handle a range of matters, including property and separation.
Parenting plan versus consent orders: Which one you need
An informal parenting plan can work for some parties. However, there are situations where you may prefer to get a court order instead.
If you have any concern that a plan may not be followed by one parent, a consent order can give you more peace of mind. There may be serious consequences if an order isn’t followed.
Parenting plans can be handy to determine what works best as the child grows. A consent order can provide a longer-term solution once you’ve figured out the right arrangement.
There’s sometimes a chance that a child may need to travel interstate. A consent order can help manage risk and prevent misunderstandings about how travel plans will work.
Once approved by the court, consent orders have the same legal effect as other parenting orders and can generally only be changed by further consent orders or a subsequent parenting plan.
Parenting Plans and Separation Agreements
Parenting plans are often part of broader separation or divorce arrangements. If you need help understanding the process, our family lawyers can guide you through every step — from initial separation through to finalising your arrangements.
Tips for using any template safely when making a parenting plan
Here are some basic tips to ensure that a template will help you:
Read through the whole template before using it. If it’s missing any critical information, find another one.
Don’t follow any sample wording it contains unless it applies directly to your situation.
Don’t forget to cover how you’re going to cover special occasions, not just day-to-day issues.
Include provisions for how you’re going to resolve disputes if they occur.
Use structured communication methods, such as co-parenting apps, to improve communication between co-parents and reduce misunderstandings.
Keep a running log of child-related expenses so each parent can see what’s being spent on the child and budget household spending effectively.
Get a lawyer to look over the plan once it’s completed.
Conclusion
If co-parents agree to how they want to handle child-related matters, a parenting plan can be a good way to organise those arrangements. There are free parenting plan templates and tools available online to help you make a plan. But it’s important to ensure that their information is relevant to Australia and up-to-date with current legislation. We’ve listed parenting plan material that has helped parents with their circumstances. Make sure that any tool you’re considering meets your needs, rather than you trying to fit your circumstances around what it offers.
Do you need assistance organising your co-parenting arrangements?
We’ve helped many clients manage their parenting arrangements. If you’re looking for experienced guidance, contact us today for a free discovery call.
