Why Better Place Australia?
Here at Better Place Australia we provide assistance to people from all walks of life looking for support with:
- Family Dispute Resolution and Mediation
- Parenting plans and programs for developing parenting skills
- Property and financial matters mediation and settlement
- Supporting older people to resolve family conflicts
- Child Counselling
- Counselling for individuals, couples and families
- Psychology services
- Employee Assistance Programs
- Financial Counselling and Capability
- Specialised LGBTIQ+ support services
- Family Mental Health Support Services
- General advice and referrals for families and separating couples
- We also deliver group training services for personal development
- Accredited mediator training.
Our History
As an organisation, Better Place Australia has seen a lot and been through a lot with the many thousands of Victorians it’s helped since its beginnings in the mid-1980s. It started as part of a pilot program for a family mediation service in a single office in outer suburban Melbourne 30+ years ago, helping families at risk of breaking down and assisting separating couples with their domestic arrangements. But in the ensuing years, as now, personal relationships within society grew ever more complicated and Better Place Australia expanded its services to meet those changing needs. It now offers a host of support services – from mental health counselling to parenting plans and assistance with property settlements – plus financial and relationship counselling.
From that single office in Noble Park in 1985, Better Place Australia has now grown to an organisation that assists more than 11,000 new clients each year, with more than 150 staff across 13 locations in Victoria.
Our Clients
By working alongside people, Better Place Australia helps build resilience and resolve difficult personal situations, be it emotional or financial. Our purpose is to assist people through some of the difficult times of their lives and help them move on, with better skills to deal with any future challenges, strengthened by positive changes.
We aim to give our clients a greater sense of control over their lives – to assist them in moving their heads and their hearts to a better, more confident place.
Responding to Family Violence
Better Place Australia has responded to the grave and unabating presence of family violence in our society by adapting our services.
We have enhanced our assessment process to ensure early detection of the presence of family violence and provided appropriate safety responses for victims and children and referrals to specialty services where needed. Considering that up to 45% of our clients from certain services report some form of family violence, we have ensured that we can support clients with specialised Financial Counselling, ongoing risk assessment, safety planning, and mediation options to further support safety measures and support for children after separation.
Here at Better Place Australia we are here to enhance safety, respond to client concerns and safely facilitate referrals to provide better outcomes.
Inclusion, Diversity and Access Commitment Statement
Better Place Australia believes that regardless of difference or cultural background, every individual brings unique skills, personal experiences, and perspectives to their participation in the operations of the administration, program and services whether as a member of the Board, staff member, contractor, volunteer, student client, consumer or other stakeholder.
- Embracing diversity as a source of innovation, creativity and critical thought makes Better Place a stronger, more responsive and more effective service provider.
- We are committed to creating and sustaining an inclusive environment for all staff, clients, consumers, contractors, volunteers, students, stakeholders and the communities in which we work.
- We recognise the unique qualities diverse communities bring to the workplace and invaluable contributions to inclusive experiences and service delivery for our clients and consumers.
- Better Place is committed to being an inclusive organisation that values diversity, and fosters, cultivates and continually develops a culture of diversity.
- Better Place sees inclusion as a partnership between all members including the Board, staff, contractors, volunteers, students, clients, consumers, communities and stakeholders.
- Better Place respects each individual for their voice and contributions towards the operations and future direction of the organisation.
- Better Place builds the organisation’s capacity to work with culturally diverse communities through consultation with clients, consumers, staff and stakeholders, and involvement and participation in improving services and developing future strategies.
- Better Place seeks to overcome any barriers to access to its services and consumer and client connections.
- Better Place Australia recognises that all clients, consumers, staff, and communities have the right to experience respect, dignity, professionalism, promptness, and care.
- Better Place Australia is committed to creating a safe, inclusive, welcoming, and supportive environment for all clients, consumers, staff, communities, and stakeholders, and respects the needs, wants and aspirations of everyone.
- Better Place Australia supports LGBTIQ+ people by facilitating community access, empowering clients and working to diminish the impact of systemic challenges.
