A parenting plan is a written agreement between separated parents about how they will care for their children. It's not legally enforceable like a court order, but it's a powerful tool for reducing conflict, clarifying expectations, and making day-to-day life smoother.
This guide explains what to include, how a parenting plan differs from court orders, and gives you a template you can use as a starting point.
What is a parenting plan?
Under the Family Law Act 1975, a parenting plan is a written, signed and dated agreement between parents that sets out arrangements for their children. Unlike consent orders or parenting orders, a parenting plan is not enforceable in court — but courts can take it into account if a dispute arises later.
A parenting plan is best suited to parents who can communicate reasonably well and want flexibility.
Parenting plan vs court orders
| | Parenting plan | Consent / parenting orders | |---|---|---| | Legally enforceable | No | Yes | | Cost | Free | Court filing fees, often legal fees | | Flexibility | Easy to change by agreement | Requires court application to change | | Best for | Low/medium conflict | High conflict or safety concerns |
If there's family violence, safety concerns or a history of breaches, talk to Legal Aid or a family lawyer before relying on a parenting plan alone.
What to include in a parenting plan
There's no fixed format, but a good Australian parenting plan typically covers:
1. Living arrangements Who the children live with day to day, and what time they spend with each parent. Be specific: nights, hours, school days vs weekends.
2. Schedule The actual weekly or fortnightly routine — e.g. "Week-on/week-off changing over at school pickup on Friday".
3. School holidays and special days How holidays, public holidays, birthdays, Christmas, Easter, Mother's Day and Father's Day are split.
4. Communication between households How parents will communicate (email, app, written messages), how often, and what topics. Many separated parents agree to keep communication child-focused only.
5. Communication with the children How and how often the non-resident parent can call or video-call the kids.
6. Schools and education Which schools the children attend, who makes decisions about education, who attends events, and how school communication is shared.
7. Health and medical Who makes routine and major medical decisions, how appointments are managed and how Medicare cards are shared.
8. Religion and culture Any agreed religious or cultural practices.
9. Travel Rules around interstate travel, overseas travel, passports and parental consent.
10. Financial arrangements This is optional in a parenting plan — child support is usually handled separately through Services Australia or a written child support agreement. But some plans include who pays for what extras (sport, school camps, uniforms).
11. Changes and disputes How the plan will be reviewed (e.g. annually), and what happens if you disagree — for example, "We will attempt mediation before any court application".
12. Signatures and date A parenting plan must be in writing, signed and dated by both parents.
A simple parenting plan template
Use the structure below as a starting point. Edit it to fit your family's situation, and consider running the final draft past a lawyer or a Family Relationship Centre before signing.
> Parenting Plan > > Between: > Parent A: [Full name] > Parent B: [Full name] > > In respect of: > Child 1: [Full name, date of birth] > Child 2: [Full name, date of birth] > > Date: [DD/MM/YYYY] > > 1. Living arrangements > The children will live with [Parent] and spend time with [Parent] as set out below. > > 2. Weekly schedule > Week 1: … > Week 2: … > Changeover location and time: … > > 3. School holidays > Term breaks: … > Christmas: … > Easter: … > > 4. Special days > Mother's Day: … > Father's Day: … > Children's birthdays: … > Parents' birthdays: … > > 5. Communication between parents > Method: … > Topics: … > > 6. Communication with children > Phone/video call schedule: … > > 7. Education > Schools: … > Who attends events: … > > 8. Health and medical > Routine decisions: … > Major decisions: … > > 9. Travel > Interstate: … > Overseas: … > > 10. Finances (optional) > Extras (sport, camps, uniforms): … > Child support: handled separately through Services Australia. > > 11. Review and disputes > Review schedule: … > Dispute process: mediation through a Family Relationship Centre before any court application. > > Signed: > Parent A: ______________________ Date: __________ > Parent B: ______________________ Date: __________
Where to get help drafting one
- Family Relationship Centres — free mediation and parenting plan support, find your nearest one at familyrelationships.gov.au
- Legal Aid in your state — free family law advice
- Community Legal Centres
- A family lawyer — paid, but worth it for complex situations
How Bloom helps
Once a parenting plan is signed, the work shifts to actually living it. Bloom is a private app where you can:
- Keep the agreed custody calendar in front of you and your co-parent
- Log changeovers as they happen, so the real schedule matches the plan
- Track school and medical events without endless texts
- Keep your own private notes for when things go off-plan
It doesn't replace legal advice and it's not a court-certified record — but it's somewhere to put the day-to-day so the plan you've signed actually works in practice.