You will not always need to go to court in relation to a dispute about the parenting arrangements for your children. Usually court is the last process used to try and resolve a dispute.
Before you can go to court you will normally undertake Family Dispute Resolution (FDR). However if the arrangements for your children are unable to be resolved using a process of FDR and a court proceeding is necessary then you will need to be present at the court for the Hearing.