After divorce or separation, it is advisable to have a written agreement concerning who the child will live with and what time they will spend with the other parent. In Australia, a written agreement is called a Parenting Plan. The Parenting Plan assists in bringing about some certainty for the children and the parents with regard to arrangements for the children.
There is a difference between a Parenting Plan, which is a written agreement for parenting arrangements and orders. A Parenting Plan is not legally enforceable. Court orders on the other hand are legally binding and can be enforced by the Australian legal system.