Your parenting schedule is as unique as your family, and there are many factors that will influence how it will be laid out.
One of the most important considerations is the age of your child, as the needs of a 4-year-old may differ significantly from the needs and wants of a teenager.
Australian family law requires that all decisions concerning children must be made in their best interests.
Having discussions with your former partner about how you are going to co-parent effectively is a great start to moving forward in these difficult circumstances.
If you and your former partner can reach an agreement in relation to parenting and child support matters, you can formalise this through a parenting plan or consent orders with Mazengarb Arora Family Lawyers.
Additionally, if you require support or mediation, as leading family lawyers in Canberra we can help your family reach a resolution that works best for your child.
With a calm, compassionate approach and a strong focus on outcomes, we’re here to guide you with clarity and confidence.
In the following article, we’ll cover child custody schedules by age in Australia set out by the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia, including how age may influence parenting agreements, how common arrangements are laid out, and when to contact Mazengarb Arora Family Lawyers.
What is a parenting schedule?
Within the Family Law Act 1975, a parenting schedule, or child custody arrangement, is a plan that lays out when each parent will have their child.
The most common arrangements are :
- Sole custody or sole parental responsibility is where one parent exclusively cares for the child and makes decisions for their future and welfare, and;
- Joint custody, where both parents share custody and responsibility for their child.
In cases of joint custody, a parenting schedule will specify how often each parent sees their child.
Factors that influence child custody schedules by age
One of the many factors that influence child custody agreements by age is related to infant custody.
While the end goal is often 50/50 child custody, this isn’t always possible where a child is breastfed and therefore must be with one parent the majority of the time.
For older children, the court or parents might consider the child’s school schedule, friendships, extracurricular activities and general capacity to cope with longer care blocks.
A teenager’s views and maturity may also be taken into account when making arrangements that suit their social and academic needs.
Practical considerations can also affect timing and structure: how far apart parents live, each parent’s work schedule and ability to care for the child, and whether there are any safety concerns or special needs will all play into the final plan.
Where concerns are serious, such as a history of family violence, the court may restrict or refuse a parent’s time with the child altogether, as it did in Tiede v Friso (2024).
There are no hard and fast rules for how to successfully co-parent, and most agreements will change and grow as your family evolves and your child gets older.
Child custody schedules for babies
In the early years, most parenting arrangements will prioritise short, regular visits with the non-primary parents, over longer visits or overnight stays.
Infants rely on consistent routines in familiar environments, which is why shifting households isn’t always recommended.
And, in the case of breastfed infants, may not be possible.
Child custody schedules for toddler
Older children are better able to understand and tolerate overnight stays.
The best custody schedule for a 2-year-old (for example) might incorporate more time.
We understand that each family is different, and therefore it is difficult to determine what the time would be until we understand your circumstances.
Child custody schedules for primary school children
School-aged children could include some overnight time.
At this stage, for example, and depending on your circumstances and the factors that are in play, the children may spend weekends with one parent, and weekdays with another, or alternate 5-2 schedules so that both parents divide weekends and weekdays.
Child custody schedules for teenagers
By adolescence, many teenagers will express a preference for how and where they want to spend their time.
These decisions are often based on their social lives, hobbies, and school commitments, and it’s usually encouraged to incorporate your child’s opinions into parenting schedules.
This might mean more flexible time sharing, and special consideration for exams, sports, and social commitments.
In some cases an older child’s firmly held views can significantly shape the outcome of parenting schedules, as the court recognised in Zeelen v Zeelen (2025), where a teenager’s entrenched wishes were central to the parenting decision.
Common child custody arrangement examples
There are no fixed rules for how child custody arrangements should be made, only that they should prioritise the child’s best interest and welfare.
That being said, there are some common patterns that emerge in many families, depending on the child’s age.
The following table provides general examples only and is not intended to suggest a standard or fixed outcome.
| Age Group | Typical Weekly Care Pattern | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|
| Baby (0–12 months) | Short, frequent daytime visits, gradually introducing short (e.g. several visits per week) | Very young infants need frequent contact with each parent to support attachment and routine. Courts and family law specialists often start with short visits before overnights. |
| Toddler (1–3 yrs) | Frequent short stays like a 1‑6 rotation (1 day with one parent, 5 days with the other, then 6 days with the first), early overnights spread across the week | Toddlers benefit from predictable patterns and regular contact; frequent transitions help them stay attached and maintain routines as they develop. |
| 10-year-old (primary school) | 2‑2‑3 rotation (50/50 shared care). For example; Parent A: Mon–Tue; Parent B: Wed–Thu; Parent A: Fri–Sun; swap next week, or a week about arrangement | School-aged children often handle shared care well with a regular rotation that balances time with both parents and fits around school and activities. |
| Teenager (13+ yrs) | Alternating weeks; Parent A: Week 1; Parent B: Week 2; repeat | Older teens generally cope well with longer blocks that provide stability for school, friendships and routines, while still maintaining strong relationships with both parents. |
Custody arrangements and special occasions
It’s fairly common to add exceptions and special rules for holidays and birthdays, in order to ensure an equitable split.
This might look like :
- Alternating important holidays like Christmas, Eid, Easter, Chinese New Year, or Diwali, depending on what’s important to your family.
- Splitting school holidays.
- Sharing birthdays, and making other arrangements for Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, and parents’ birthdays.
How to create a co-parenting schedule that works for your child
Age isn’t the only thing that shapes parenting time schedules. Australian family law looks at whatever will be in your child’s best interests, not just how old they are.
Child custody arrangements in Australia work around practical factors like how far apart parents live, school hours, parents’ work commitments and travel time between homes, because arrangements that are impossible to follow aren’t good for anyone.
Courts and family law professionals also consider each parent’s ability to care for the child, the emotional and developmental needs of the child, any safety concerns, and even the child’s own views if they’re mature enough to express them.
If you’re struggling to come to an agreement, the support of a mediator or a trusted family lawyer can help create space for compromise.
How Mazengarb Arora can help
At Mazengarb Arora, we’re your partners through one of life’s most challenging moments.
With years of experience as family and divorce lawyers in Canberra , our team offers a compassionate, client-focused approach that delivers the best possible outcomes.
Whether you’re navigating separation, divorce, or any family law issue, our goal is to guide you with clarity, minimise conflict, and achieve lasting results.
Book a free 30-minute consultation with us to learn more.
