The three formats
The canonical filing-ready document. Court-style typography, dedicated cover page, lettered Background recitals, alphabetical Definitions, numbered clauses, formal execution page with witness signature lines, and a closing “About this document” block. This is what you’d hand to a lawyer or sign.
DOCX
The same content as the PDF, but in Microsoft Word format — editable. Choose this when you (or your lawyer) want to mark the document up before signing, or when the lawyer’s firm wants the document in their preferred format for filing.
Markdown
Plain text with light formatting (headings, bold, lists). Designed for inclusion in correspondence — pasting into emails, sharing in messaging apps, including in other documents. No styling, no signature lines.
What’s in the exported PDF
A complete RYTZ parenting plan PDF has the following structure:
Every page (after the cover) carries a discreet footer:
Made under s63C of the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth) · RYTZ · app.rytz.com.au · Page X of Y. The cover page itself has no header or footer — it gets the full visual gravity of a tier-1 firm cover page.
When the plan status is draft, the cover page status pill reads DRAFT — FOR DISCUSSION ONLY in letter-spaced amber, and the body footer carries a discreet DRAFT · prefix.
When to use each format
Sharing with the other party
PDF for a polished discussion document. DOCX if you want them to edit (less common but sometimes useful).
Lawyer review
DOCX. Lawyers will mark up the document with track changes. Send the PDF alongside as the canonical reference.
FDR session
PDF. The mediator will work from the document as the structured starting point.
Court filing (Consent Orders)
DOCX. The court accepts both formats but DOCX is preferred because the registrar may need to make minor edits before the orders are made.
Email or correspondence
Markdown. Pastes cleanly into email bodies and reads well in plain text.
Backup / archive
PDF. Locked content, won’t drift, opens on any device years from now.
What to do with the document once exported
The most common pathways:Path A — Sign as a s63C parenting plan
If you and the other party have agreed and you both want to record that agreement formally:1
Both parties read the final document
Take an hour each, separately. No surprises at signing.
2
Optional: lawyer review
Have a family lawyer read the plan before signing. A 30–60 minute consult typically costs $300–500 and is worth every dollar for a document of this consequence.
3
Sign + date
Both parties sign in the execution block, with the date. If you’ve captured witnesses in the filing details, they sign too. The document becomes a parenting plan under s63C of the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth) at the moment of signature.
4
Each party keeps an original
Print two copies, both sign both, each takes one. Scan a digital copy too.
Path B — File as Consent Orders
If you want the agreement to be enforceable as Court orders:1
Lawyer-prepared application (recommended)
A family lawyer prepares an Application for Consent Orders, with the parenting plan as the substantive content. The lawyer’s involvement is usually 2–4 hours of work; expect $1,000–2,500 in fees on top of the court filing fee.
2
OR file the application yourself
The Federal Circuit and Family Court has self-help guides for SRLs filing Consent Orders. The current filing fee is on the FCFCOA fees page (gazetted annually each 1 July). The application kit is substantial — allow a full day to prepare it correctly.
3
Registrar review
The application is reviewed by a court registrar (not a judge). They check the orders are in the children’s best interests and consistent with the legislation. Most applications are approved within 6–12 weeks.
4
Orders made
Once the registrar approves, the orders are sealed and become enforceable. You receive a copy by email or post.
Path C — Use as the FDR starting document
If you’re heading into Family Dispute Resolution but haven’t reached agreement yet:1
Take the draft (not signed) into FDR
The FDR practitioner uses the document as the structured starting point. They’ll work through each clause with both parties.
2
Update the plan during/after FDR
Most parties iterate on the plan during the FDR process. Re-export after substantive changes.
3
If FDR succeeds
Both parties sign the agreed version (Path A) or file as Consent Orders (Path B).
4
If FDR fails
The FDR practitioner issues a section 60I certificate. The plan you drafted is still useful — it becomes evidence of what you proposed and what was rejected, which can be relevant in subsequent court proceedings.
A note on storage + privacy
Your exported documents are not stored on RYTZ’s servers — they’re generated on demand, downloaded by you, and kept locally. We never have a copy. If you need to re-export, you re-generate from the current state of your case file. This means:- You’re responsible for storing your exports securely. A password-protected folder, a cloud backup, both originals filed somewhere safe.
- If your case file changes, your exports don’t update automatically. Always re-export after substantive edits before signing or filing.
- Older exports are not version-controlled by RYTZ. Date the file when you save it (the export filename includes the date, so this is mostly automatic).
Next
The Family Law Act in 5 minutes
Background context that helps you understand the document you’ve just produced.
Frequently asked questions
The questions we hear most often from new users.