Policies and complaints

About us
About us
- Dispute Advice
  Dispute Advice
  
  When you contact us for assistance we'll discuss your situation and provide advice on how to resolve your dispute with the other people involved.
- Mediation
  Mediation
  
  Mediation is a free, confidential process where parties try to resolve their issues with the help of a trained, impartial mediator.
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander team
  Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander team
  
  A dedicated group of Aboriginal staff who can provide dispute resolution information for members of the community.
- Civil Mediation at VCAT Program
  Civil Mediation at VCAT Program
  
  DSCV and VCAT are operating in partnership to deliver alternative dispute resolution processes to everyday Victorians.
- Personal Safety Intervention Order (PSIO) program
  Personal Safety Intervention Order (PSIO) program
  
  DSCV have partnered with the Magistrates' Court of Victoria to bring mediation services to certain clients who are involved in a PSIO application.
- Policies and complaints
  Policies and complaints
  
  Read the DSCV's policies on client privacy, our client charter, and how to make a complaint about the service.
- Contact us
  Contact us
  
  The Dispute Settlement Centre of Victoria (DSCV) can help you resolve a wide range of disputes without having to resort to taking legal action.
- How and when we can help
  How and when we can help
  
  Read about how we assess if our services are right for you.
Information and advice
Information and advice
- Fencing
  Fencing
  
  Issues around repairing or replacing a shared fence, damage to fences and boundary issues can all contribute to disputes between neighbours.
- Trees
  Trees
  
  Overhanging branches, damage from roots and dropped foliage can all contribute to issues between neighbours. Find out what to do about it.
- Starting the conversation
  Starting the conversation
  
  It's important to start the conversation off on the right foot when you are trying to resolve a dispute. These tips may help you to have that initial interaction.
- Solving problems
  Solving problems
  
  If things don't go well immediately, don't panic! Think about some of the following strategies when trying to resolve an issue with a neighbour.
- Reaching an agreement
  Reaching an agreement
  
  Most agreements you make will not require a formal acknowledgement. However, many people find that writing things down can help ensure that further disputes don't occur in the future.
- Obtaining legal advice
  Obtaining legal advice
  
  In any dispute, you may find it necessary to obtain legal advice from an independent, licensed practitioner. This can help you clarify your rights and responsibilities.
- Retirement village disputes
  Retirement village disputes
  
  Information and guidance on what to do when things go wrong between residents or residents and the operators of a retirement village.
Training
Training
- Aboriginal dispute resolution training
  Aboriginal dispute resolution training
  
  Aboriginal Dispute Resolution Training is a unique service offering from the Dispute Settlement Centre of Victoria that aims to build relationships between the service and Aboriginal communities, whilst increasing capacity to resolve conflicts within individuals.
- Community Engagement Workshops
  Community Engagement Workshops
  
  We work with community groups to teach skills in conflict management and dispute prevention.
- Mediation training
  Mediation training
  
  We run nationally accredited mediation training courses, providing professional qualifications for a career in the mediation profession.

Restrictions are in place to help slow the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) and save lives.

The Dispute Settlement Centre of Victoria is continuing to deliver a telephone information service. Face-to-face mediations have been postponed.

If you need help negotiating rent changes due to COVID-19 related issues, visit the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and your rental rights (External link) section on the Consumer Affairs website.

If you have a Personal Safety Intervention Order enquiry, contact your local Magistrates' Court directly (External link).

For more information on the coronavirus (COVID-19) visit the DHHS website (External link).

Read the DSCV's policies on client privacy, our client charter, and how to make a complaint about the service.

If you have questions about mediation, how and when we can help, and/or training services, please consult the relevant webpages.

In this section

Client services charter

The Dispute Settlement Centre of Victoria charter outlines the commitment we make to our clients and underpins the services we offer.

Privacy policy

All client information collected by the DSCV will be managed in accordance with the information privacy principles pursuant to the Privacy and Data Protection Act 2014 (Vic).

Complaints Policy

The DSCV complaints policy outlines what to do if you would like to make a complaint about DSCV services, including the conduct of our officers or mediators.

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Contact us

Dispute Settlement Centre of Victoria

4 / 456 Lonsdale Street Melbourne Vic 3000

Telephone: 1300 372 888

About us

Information and advice

Training