Guide to Co-Parenting Apps for Separated Parents in Australia

Why co‑parenting apps are becoming essential

Separation changes how families communicate and organise daily life. Many parents find that text messages, emails and handwritten notes are no longer enough once children are moving between two homes.

Co‑parenting apps give separated parents one shared place to manage information about the children. These tools can reduce misunderstandings, lower tension at changeovers and make it easier to keep school activities, appointments and costs on track. Importantly, they help keep children out of adult communication by allowing parents to talk directly with each other rather than through the kids.

What co‑parenting apps can help with?

Co‑parenting apps are designed to support the practical side of parenting after separation. Common benefits include:

• Clear written records of all parenting communication.

• Shared calendars so both parents see the same schedule.

• Spaces to track expenses and reimbursements.

• Options to share school details medical information and contact numbers.

  
  

Some families use these apps to reduce day to day conflict. Others use them because lawyers or the court have suggested a structured way to communicate.

1. OurFamilyWizard

Best for: Families needing structured professional grade communication tools.

OurFamilyWizard is one of the most widely recognised co‑parenting apps used by separated parents. It is frequently recommended by family law professionals and is the co‑parenting platform trusted by the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia. The app provides a businesslike environment for parenting communication rather than a social chat feel.

Key features:

• ToneMeter flags emotionally charged language before you send a message and suggests more neutral wording

• Check‑ins use GPS to record when a parent arrives for a changeover

• Shared calendars and expense tracking help keep schedules and costs organised

• Professional access allows you to give your mediator or lawyer read‑only access if you choose

Cost: From around AUD 199.99 per year per parent for the Essentials plan with higher tiers also available.​

This app suits families who want strong structure detailed records and are comfortable paying an annual subscription.

2. Divvito

Best for: Parents wanting secure organised messaging without extra modules.

Divvito is an Australian made co‑parenting app created by a separated parent. The language and interface feel familiar to Australian users and support is handled in Australian time zones. It focuses on communication rather than calendars or expense ledgers.

Key features:

• Secure time stamped messaging that cannot be edited or deleted.

• Language filtering and flagging so you can set boundaries around wording.

• Multiple conversation threads so topics like school health and money can be kept separate.

• Downloadable message histories if you need a record.

Cost: At the time of writing Divvito is available as an ongoing free trial with a possibility that new subscriptions may be paid in future.​

Divvito suits parents who mainly need a safer calmer way to message and who are happy to manage calendars and expenses elsewhere.

3. AppClose

Best for: Parents seeking a low cost entry point with core features.

AppClose offers a broad set of co‑parenting tools at a relatively low monthly cost. It is a good starting option for many families although the design and some features are US focused.

Key features:

• Shared calendar for changeovers holidays and activities.

• Solo Mode that lets one parent use the app even if the other does not with requests sent by email or text.

• Secure messaging with time stamped records that cannot be deleted.

Cost: A 60 day free trial then about AUD 8.99 per month.​

This app can work well for families wanting a budget friendly solution with calendars and messaging in one place.

4. TalkingParents

Best for: Parents who need call recording as well as written records.

Most co‑parenting apps focus on text. TalkingParents is different because it offers recorded phone and video calls as part of the platform. This can help reduce arguments about what was said in conversations.

Important note for Australian parents: Recording calls without the other person’s knowledge or consent may breach Surveillance Devices laws and might make recordings inadmissible in court. Both parties generally need to consent before call recordings can be used in Australian proceedings. If you are unsure about your situation seek advice from a family lawyer.

Key features:

• Automatic recording and storage of calls made through the app.

• Secure messaging with time stamped records.

• Private journaling area where you can keep notes that are not shared with the other parent.

Cost: Browser access with limited features is free. The standard mobile app is about AUD 19 per month and the premium version with call recording is about AUD 39 per month.​

TalkingParents suits families where verbal conversations still need to happen but an accurate record of those calls is important.

5. 2Houses

Best for: Families with many shared expenses to manage.

2Houses has a softer more collaborative design and is especially strong on financial features. Many families use it to avoid constant bank transfers and confusion about who has paid for what.

Key features:

• Expense tracking where each parent logs costs and the app calculates the balance to settle.

• A shared Info Bank for details like Medicare numbers shoe sizes school contacts and medical information.

• Shared calendars and messaging.

Cost: Around AUD 169.99 per year which covers the whole family rather than charging per parent.​

This app works well for families where money and reimbursements are a frequent source of tension.

6. Custody X Change

Best for: Designing and visualising the parenting plan itself.

Custody X Change is focused on schedules rather than day to day messaging. It helps parents create and test different care arrangements and calculate the exact percentage of time children spend with each parent.

Key features:

• Visual rosters that show how different patterns such as week on week off or alternate weekends look in practice.

• Automatic calculations of care percentages which can support transparent discussions about support and logistics.

• Australian parenting plan templates aligned with the Family Law Act 1975 and the option to use terms like lives with and spends time with rather than custody and visitation.

Cost: Charged in US dollars with tiers from USD 9.97 to 19.97 per month which is roughly AUD 15 to 31 depending on exchange rates.​

Custody X Change is especially useful early in the process when you are still working out what a practical parenting plan might look like.

Quick comparison of co‑parenting apps

App name	Best suited for	Typical cost (AUD)	Key benefit for Australian families
OurFamilyWizard	Structured communication with calendars and costs	$199.99–$399.99 per parent yr	Recognised by Australian courts with local holidays loaded​
Divvito	Messaging only	Currently free	Australian made with strong language filtering tools​
AppClose	Low cost all‑rounder	$8.99 per month	Budget friendly entry point with Solo Mode​
TalkingParents	Call recording and accountability	Free web or 19–39 per month	Records calls and messages in one place​
2Houses	Shared expenses and information bank	$169.99 per family per year	One family fee with strong expense management tools​
Custody X Change	Parenting plan design and care percentages	About $15–31 per month	Australian templates and care percentage calculations​

How to choose the right app for your family

No single app is right for every family. When deciding what to use it can help to ask:

• What is our biggest pain point now (e.g. communication, scheduling or money)?

• Do both parents prefer messaging, calls or a mix of both?

• Is it more important to keep costs low or to have premium features like ToneMeter or call recording?

• Do we need one place to track expenses and information as well as messages?

  
  

Many families start with one app for a set trial period such as six months and agree to use it consistently for all child related communication during that time. This allows enough time to see whether the tool genuinely reduces conflict and confusion.

If you are working with a mediator or family lawyer you can also ask whether they are familiar with any of these apps and whether one might be easier to use alongside your mediation or legal process.

Where co‑parenting apps fit with mediation

Co‑parenting apps do not replace the need for clear parenting agreements. Instead they support the day to day practical work of putting these agreements into action.

During parenting mediation clients often discuss and agree on a co‑parenting app they will use after mediation and set expectations about response times, language and use of calendars

How we can help

Mediation Canberra offers fixed fee parenting mediation in Canberra and online across Australia. If you would like support to create or update your parenting plan before choosing an app you can book a free 15 minute consultation to talk about your situation and next steps.

Book Free 15-Minute Consultation

Disclaimer

This guide provides general information about co‑parenting apps used by Australian families. It does not provide legal advice or take the place of advice from a lawyer. Laws and procedures vary between cases. For advice about your own situation please speak with a family law professional.