For Mediators:

Standards & Mediator Accreditation

Australian National Mediator Accreditation Standards

The Australian Mediation Association strongly supports and is committed to the application and implementation of the Australian Mediator and Dispute Resolution Accreditation Standards.

The Association is a Recognised Accreditation Provider (RAP) under the standards and acts to maintain and further develop the national mediation accreditation scheme.

We undertake to have an ongoing role in Standards development and the definition and any extension of the recognition process into the future.

The Australian Mediator and Dispute Resolution Accreditation Standards apply to any person who voluntarily seeks to be accredited under the Australian Mediation Dispute Resolution System (‘the system’) to act as a mediator and assist two or more participants to manage, settle or resolve disputes or to form a future plan of action through a process of mediation.

Recognised Accreditation Provider to 2024

The Approval Standards

  1. Specify requirements for mediators seeking to obtain approval under the voluntary national accreditation system; and
  2. Define minimum qualifications and training; and
  3. Assist in informing participants, prospective participants and others what qualifications and competencies can be expected of mediators.

As a condition of ongoing approval, mediators must comply with the Practice Standards and seek re-approval in accordance with the Approval Standards.

The Australian Mediator and Dispute Resolution Accreditation Standards (AMDRAS) can be accessed here.

Mediator Approval Requirements

Approval Requirements for Mediators – Recognised Accreditation Provider (RAP)

As a RAP, the Association’s role in the system is that of the accreditation component of the national mediation accreditation scheme. We aim to ensure that the Standards and scheme operate in an effective, efficient, satisfactory and fair manner.

A mediator manages processes aimed at maximising the participants’ own decision making. The mediator must have personal qualities and appropriate life, social and work experience to conduct the process independently and professionally.

To be accredited, we, as a Recognised Accreditation Provider require a mediator to provide the following:

  1. evidence of good character; and
  2. an undertaking to comply with ongoing practice standards and compliance with any legislative and approval requirements; and
  3. evidence of relevant insurance, statutory indemnity or employee status; and
  4. evidence of membership or a relationship with an appropriate association or organisation that has appropriate and relevant ethical requirements, complaints and disciplinary processes as well as ongoing professional support; this will include other relevant memberships or relationships; and
  5. evidence of mediator competence by reference to education, training and experience.

As a condition of ongoing approval, mediators must comply with the Practice Standards and seek re-approval in accordance with the Approval Standards.

Australian Mediator and Dispute Resolution Accreditation Standards (AMDRAS) can be accessed Here.

Apply for Accreditation

Application form for Mediators Seeking Approval under the AMDRAS.

This application is in two parts

  • Online Application Form – below; this is for you to complete and submit.
  • Referee’s Online Reference Form – below; this must be filled out by both your referees.

Your Résumé of Practice must also be submitted at the time of application. At the bottom of the form you can upload supporting documents. If you have any problems uploading files please email them directly to us via the address displayed at the end of the form.

Applications will not be accepted unless accompanied by payment or proof of payment of the application fee of $250.00 (inc GST). Payment can be made by Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) or cheque payable to the Australian Mediation Association.

NOTE: This application form should be read in conjunction with both the Approval Standards and the Practice Standards outlined on this page.

Application Form

    Introduction

    The Australian National Mediator Standards apply to any person who voluntarily seeks to be accredited under the Australian Mediator and Dispute Resolution Accreditation System ('the system') to act as a mediator and assist two or more participants to manage, settle or resolve disputes or to form a future plan of action through a process of mediation. Practitioners who act in these roles are referred to in the Approval Standards as mediators.

    The Approval Standards

    specify requirements for mediators seeking to obtain approval under the voluntary national accreditation system; and
    define minimum qualifications and training; and
    assist in informing participants, prospective participants and others what qualifications and competencies can be expected of mediators.

    As a condition of ongoing approval, mediators must comply with the Practice Standards and seek re-approval in accordance with the Approval Standards every two years. The Approval Standards should be read in conjunction with the Practice Standards that apply to mediators.

    Mediation can take place in all areas where decisions are made. For example, mediation is used in relation to commercial, community, workplace, environmental, construction, family, building, health and educational decision making. Mediation may be used where there is conflict or may be used to support future decision making.

    Mediators are drawn from diverse backgrounds and disciplines. Mediation may take place as a result of Court or Tribunal referral, pre-litigation schemes, through industry schemes, community-based schemes as well as through private referral, agency, self or other referral. The Approval Standards set out minimum voluntary accreditation requirements and recognise that some mediators who practice in particular areas, and/or with particular models, may choose to develop or comply with additional standards or requirements. Mediators may practice as ‘solo’ mediators or may co-mediate with another mediator.

    The Australian Mediation Association (‘AMA’) strongly supports and is committed to the application and implementation of the Australian National Mediator Standards. The AMA will be acting as an accreditation provider under this scheme taking on the role of a under this scheme taking on the role of a Recognised Accreditation Provider (RAP).

    Your Details

    1. I have read and understood my obligations under the Approval Standards* yes

    2. I have read and understood my obligations under the Practice Standards* yes

    3. Good Character

    RMABs require mediators who apply to be accredited to provide evidence of 'good character'. With respect to the requirement to be of 'good character', please:

    a) Provide evidence that you are regarded as honest and fair, and that you are regarded as suited to practice mediation by reference to your life, social and work experience. Please provide written references from two members of the community who have known you for more than three years demonstrating your good character.

    Referees

    The Referee's Reference form must be filled out by both your referees.
    This form is immediately below the current form, scroll down to the "+ For Your Referees" item.
    Please send your referees this direct URL / link to the form: https://ama.asn.au/mediator-accreditation/#Referees

    I will organise two reference submissions from persons listed below who can attest to my competence. yes

    Important
    Applicants are urged to consider carefully when selecting referees. It is important that the referees can attest to the applicant's competent performance of tasks as outlined in the standards. See the Standards for more information.

    Referee 1

    Referee 2

    b) Do you meet the requirements of a police check in the State or States or Territory or Territories in which you practise?* yesnoIf no, please disclose any criminal convictions here:

    c) Are you without any serious conviction or impairment that could influence your capacity to discharge your obligations in a competent, honest and appropriate manner?* yesno

    d) Please demonstrate by way of documentary evidence that you are accredited with an existing scheme that has existing 'good character' requirements that you comply with (for example, by referring to an existing Professional Association, Law Institute, Law Society, Bar or Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner accreditation standards where relevant).

    e) Have you been disqualified to practice by another professional association relating to any other profession (for example, a Law Society or a Medical Association)?* yesno

    If Yes please explain the circumstances under which you have previously been removed

    f) Have you been suspended from acting as a mediator under the standards?* yesno

    g) Do you undertake to comply with any relevant legislation, the Practice and Approval Standards and any other approval requirements that may relate to particular schemes?* yesno

    h) Please provide documentation of your current insurance status - refer to section 2(j) of the Approval Standards for further information.

    Upload your policy document here:
    or

    4. Training and education

    a) Please provide documentary evidence (i.e. certificates of completion) that you have appropriate mediation competence, by reference to applicable practice standards, your qualifications, training and experience.

    b) Please indicate under which Threshold Training and Education Requirements section you are seeking approval under the Standards*

    Please provide the name of the mediation education and training course(s) you have undertaken and in what year the said courses(s) were completed*

    Did the mediation education and training course(s) satisfy the following:

    i) was conducted by a training team comprised of a at least two instructors where the principal instructor[s] has more than three years' experience as a mediator and has complied with the continuing accreditation requirements set out in Section 2.3 and 2.4 of the Approval Standards for that period and has at least three years' experience as an instructor; yesnoand
    ii) has assistant instructors or coaches for each trainee to be observed performing the role of mediator by different coaches in two simulated mediations of at least 1.5 hours in duration; yesnoand
    iii) is a program of a minimum of 38 hours in duration (which may be constituted by more than one mediation workshop provided not more than 24 months has passed between workshops), excluding the assessment process referred to in Section 2.4 of the Approval Standards; yesnoand
    iv) involves each course participant in at least nine simulated mediation sessions and in at least three simulations each course participant performs the role of mediator; yesnoand
    v) provides written, debriefing coaching feedback in respect of two simulated mediations to each course participant by different members of the training team. yesnod) Unless applying under the alternative pathways in section 2.5, a mediator must also have completed to a competent standard. a written skills assessment of mediator competence that has been undertaken in addition to the 38-hour training workshop, where mediator competence in at least one 1.5 hour simulation has been undertaken by either a different member of the training team or a person who is independent of the training team. The written assessment must reflect the core competency areas referred to in the Practice Standards. The final skills assessment mediation simulation may be undertaken in the form of a video or DVD assessment with role players, or as an assessed exercise with role players.

    The written report must detail:

    i) the outcome of the skills assessment (in terms of competent or not yet competent); and
    ii) relevant strengths and how they were evidenced; and
    iii) relevant weaknesses and how they were evidenced; and
    iv) relevant recommendations for further training and skills development.

    Have you completed to a competent standard a written skills assessment of mediator competence? yesno

    Alternative Accreditation Pathways

    If you are seeking Alternative Accreditation Pathways please complete this section. If not, please scroll down and click "Next".

    e) This section applies to all those mediators requesting accreditation in accordance with section 2.5 of the Approval Standards. An applicant may alternatively meet the requirements for training and assessment by providing evidence to an RMAB of:

    (a) Comparable training and assessment
    (i) having completed a mediator training course which is at least comparable to the training course described in Section 2.3; and
    (ii) having been found competent in the assessment as described in Section 2.4.?
    or
    (b) Experience, education and assessment
    (i) providing evidence to an RMAB of having conducted at least 100 hours of mediation, and otherwise met the continuing accreditation requirements described in Section 3 below within the two years prior to application; and
    (ii) providing two references attesting to the mediator's competence; and
    (iii) having completed mediator training, supervision or education to the satisfaction of the RMAB; and
    (iv) having been found competent in the assessment as described in
    Section 2.4?
    or
    (c) CALD knowledge, experience and assessment
    (i) providing evidence to an RMAB that the applicant possesses appropriate mediation experience and knowledge of the unique values and traditions within the culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) community with which the mediator identifies; and
    (ii) providing two references attesting to the mediator's competence; and
    (iii) having been found competent in the assessment as described in Section 2. 4

    Please provide and attach a brief submission demonstrating you have met the requirements for comparable training and assessment (section 2.5(a)), or experience, education and assessment (section 2.5(b)) or that you are a resident in a linguistically and culturally diverse community (section 2.5(c)) for which specialised skills and knowledge are needed OR you worked as a mediator and have experience, training, and education that will satisfy the Australian Mediation Association that you are equipped with the skills, knowledge and understandings set out in the core competencies referred to in the Practice Standards.

    Continuing Accreditation Requirements – Experience Qualified Practitioners

    Mediators who seek to be reaccredited must satisfy the AMA that they continue to meet the approval requirements set out in Section 3 of the Approval Standards. In addition mediators seeking re accreditation must, within each two-year cycle, provide evidence to the RMAB that they have:

    a) sufficient practice experience by showing that they have either:

    i) conducted at least 25 hours of mediation, co-mediation or conciliation (in total duration) within the two-year cycle; or
    ii) where a mediator is unable to provide such evidence for reasons such as, a lack of work opportunities (in respect of newly qualified mediators); a focus on work undertaken as a dispute manager, facilitator, conflict coach or related area; a family, career or study break; illness or injury, an RMAB may require the mediator to have completed no less than 10 hours of mediation, mediation or conciliation work per two-year cycle and may require that the mediator attend 'top up' training or reassessment;

    and,

    b) have completed at least 25 hours of continuing professional development in every two-year cycle that can be made up as follows:

    (a) Participating in Education (up to 20 hours)
    This means participating in formal structured activities such as training seminars and workshops (up to 20 hours) or attending conferences (up to 15 hours)
    (b) Reflecting on Practice (up to 15 hours)
    This means receiving professional supervision or coaching or participating in structured peer-based reflection on mediation cases
    (c) Providing Professional Development (up to 15 hours)
    This means delivering presentations on mediation or related topics, including two hours of preparation time for each hour delivered, or providing professional supervision, assessment, coaching or mentoring of mediator trainees and mediators
    (d) Credit for related professional CPD (up to 10 hours)
    This means hours of CPD completed to maintain professional licensing or accreditation related to their mediation practice, such as in law or in the behavioural or social sciences or in the professional field in which they mediate, such as building or engineering.
    (e) Learning from Practice (up to 8 hours)
    This means participating in up to four mediations as a client representative or in a formal learning capacity (up to 2 hours per mediation) or role-playing for trainee mediators and candidates for mediator assessment (up to 2 hours per simulation).
    (f) Self-directed Learning (up to 5 hours)
    This means private study such as reading, listening to or viewing pre-recorded content such as podcasts, or writing articles or books relevant to mediation that are published in recognised journals or by recognised publishers.
    (g) Other (up to 5 hours)
    This means such other activities as may be approved by the MSB on application by an RMAB.

    c) Do you undertake in seeking to be reaccredited to continue to meet the approval requirements set out in Section 3 of the Approval Standards. In addition mediators seeking re accreditation must, within each two-year cycle, provide evidence to the AMA that they have satisfied the continuing accreditation requirements.

    Do you agree to these terms? yesno

    Agreement & Signature

    I, being an applicant for accreditation by the Australian Mediation Association as a mediator under the Australian National Mediator Standards,

    • Consent to the Australian Mediation Association in my area of mediation, making such enquiries as they see fit (including Professional Standards and Professional Indemnity Insurance enquiries), to determine my eligibility and suitability for accreditation.

    • Agree to accept the terms and conditions for accreditation as set out in the Standards.

    • If accredited, agree to comply with the Australian National Mediator Standards and any rulings of the Australian Mediation Association relating to accreditation or reaccreditation.

    Payment - This application is $220.00 (including GST)

    Please choose one of the following*

    Commonwealth Bank of Australia
    Australian Mediation Association
    BSB: 064 121
    Account: 10 200 135

    Attachments Upload

    Please attach any supporting documentation here.

    Seminar Groups

    Seminar groups are intended to prepare candidates for assessment by getting together with others and studying on an informal basis and to serve as continuing professional development. Mediators interested in forming seminar groups will be sent a contact list of fellow mediators and are expected to form their own groups.

    I am interested in joining a study group within my nominated area yesnoIf you have indicated yes, please complete the below details


    Important:
    Should you have indicated your interest in joining a seminar group, your details as listed above will be distributed to other applicants for the purpose of the formation of a seminar group.

    I hereby certify that all content and information contained in this form is true and correct.Required*

    If you experience difficulties with this online form, please download and complete the pdf version here.
    The form can then be returned to .

    For Your Referees

    Application for Mediators Seeking Approval under the Australian Mediator and Dispute Resolution Accreditation System – for Referees.

      Reference for a dispute resolution practitioner seeking accreditation under the Australian Mediator and Dispute Resolution Accreditation System.

      The practitioner named above has applied for accreditation under the Australian Mediation Association’s Accreditation Program.

      To become an accredited mediator a practitioner needs to be eligible and competent. The practitioner must enjoy standing and regard in the profession. The applicant needs to provide evidence that they are regarded as honest and fair, and that they are regarded as suited to practice mediation by reference to their life, social and work experience.

      Please provide this written reference if you have known the applicant for more than three years demonstrating their good character. Standards for competent practice have been developed in consultation with academics, practitioners and education consultants.

      An assessment process has been put in place to assess those standards and it is a part of that process that an applicant’s peer can attest to his/her competence. The Referees report is to be based on their objective and direct knowledge of the Applicants competence.

      Please answer the questions below with care. As far as legally possible your response will be kept confidential.

      Your Details


      The Applicant


      Please indicate the extent to which you support the Applicant's application for accreditation?

      Agreement & Signature


      If you experience difficulties with this online form, please download and complete the pdf version here.
      The form can then be returned to .

      Apply for Re-Accreditation

        Approval standards for mediators seeking approval under the Mediator and Dispute Resolution Accreditation System.
        Section 6 of the Approval Standards states:

        6 Continuing Accreditation Requirements

        1) Mediators who seek to be reaccredited must satisfy their RAP that they continue to meet the approval requirements set out in Section 3 of the Approval Standards. In addition, mediators seeking re accreditation must, within each two-year cycle, provide evidence to the RAP that they have:

        a) sufficient practice experience by showing that they have either:

        i) conducted at least 25 hours of mediation, co-mediation or conciliation (in total duration) within the two-year cycle; or,

        ii) where a mediator is unable to provide such evidence for reasons such as, a lack of work opportunities (in respect of newly qualified mediators); a focus on work undertaken as a dispute manager, facilitator, conflict coach or related area; a family, career or study break; illness or injury, an RAP may require the mediator to have completed no less than 10 hours of mediation, comediation or conciliation work per two-year cycle and may require that the mediator attend ‘top up’ training or reassessment;

        and,

        b) A mediator must undertake CPD of at least 25 hours that contributes to the knowledge, skills and ethical principles contained in the Practice Standards. This may be made up as follows:

        (a) Participating in Education (up to 20 hours)
        This means participating in formal structured activities such as training seminars and workshops (up to 20 hours) or attending conferences (up to 15 hours)

        (b) Reflecting on Practice (up to 15 hours)
        This means receiving professional supervision or coaching or participating in structured peer-based reflection on mediation cases

        (c) Providing Professional Development (up to 15 hours)
        This means delivering presentations on mediation or related topics, including two hours of preparation time for each hour delivered, or providing professional supervision, assessment, coaching or mentoring of mediator trainees and mediators

        (d) Credit for related professional CPD (up to 10 hours)
        This means hours of CPD completed to maintain professional licensing or accreditation related to their mediation practice, such as in law or in the behavioural or social sciences or in the professional field in which they mediate, such as building or engineering.

        (e) Learning from Practice (up to 8 hours)
        This means participating in up to four mediations as a client representative or in a formal learning capacity (up to 2 hours per mediation) or role-playing for trainee mediators and candidates for mediator assessment (up to 2 hours per simulation).

        (f) Self-directed Learning (up to 5 hours)
        This means private study such as reading, listening to or viewing pre-recorded content such as podcasts, or writing articles or books relevant to mediation that are published in recognised journals or by recognised publishers.

        (g) Other (up to 5 hours)
        This means such other activities as may be approved by the AMDRAS Board on application by an RAP.

        All fields in this section are compulsory:

        I certify that I have met all of the following criteria to become reaccredited as an Australian National Accredited Mediator

        Please tick the relevant criteria and provide the relevant information
        1. I certify that I have conducted at least 25 hours of mediation, co-mediation or conciliation (in total duration) within the two-year cycle since accreditation 25 hours mediation.(please provide brief details as to how you have achieved this – i.e. examples of number of mediations undertaken for panels/organisations/private practice)OR
        I certify that I am unable to provide such evidence for reasons such as, a lack of work opportunities (in respect of newly qualified mediators); a focus on work undertaken as a dispute manager, facilitator, conflict coach or related area; a family, career or study break; illness or injury. I certify that I have completed no less than 10 hours of mediation, comediation or conciliation work per two-year cycle. (please provide brief details as to how you have achieved this – i.e. examples of number of mediations undertaken for panels/organisations/private practice and reasons as to why the 25 hours was not able to be achieved)
        (Please note that the RMAB may require that the mediator attend ‘top up’ training or reassessment)        2. I have completed at least 25 hours that contributes to the knowledge, skills and ethical principles contained in the Practice Standards, that can be made up as follows:
        i) Participating in Education (up to 20 hours); ii) Reflecting on Practice (up to 15 hours);iii) Providing Professional Development (up to 15 hours); iv) Credit for related professional CPD (up to 10 hours); v) Learning from Practice (up to 8 hours); vi) Self-directed Learning (up to 5 hours); vii) Other (up to 5 hours);

        3. I have read, understood, agree and undertake to observe and be bound by the Australian National Mediation Standards4. I continue to be of 'good character' as defined in Section 2(1) of the National Mediator Accreditation System (Approval Standards) 5. I continue to maintain and have appropriate and current insurance as a mediatorQ6 is compulsory
        6. I hereby certify that all content and information contained in this re-accreditation form is true and correct.

        Guidelines for Alternative Pathways to AMDRAS Accreditation

        The AMDRAS recognises alternative pathways to the Certificate of Training, the Certificate of Assessment, and the Practicum Certificate, based on an applicant’s prior learning and experience.

        Please check Part 4 – Training and Accreditation Framework (TAF), Division 8 – Alternative pathways to Certificates and Division 9 – Applications for accreditation of the AMDRAS, HERE.

        ISSUING ACCREDITATION – If the RAP considers that the applicant has satisfied the alternative-pathway requirement and has passed any further assessment under Clause 35(b) of AMDRAS, it must issue the requested Certificate or Certificates.

        Additional requirements for accreditation – Please check Part 4, Division 9 of the AMDRAS which governs applications for accreditation HERE under AMDRAS.

        Read the guidelines for such alternative pathways.

        Applications can be emailed to

        Apply for Leading Mediator Accreditation Status

        Guidelines for Leading Mediator Accreditation – The Australian Mediator and Dispute Resolution Accreditation Standards (AMDRAS)

        This Guideline provides a guide to enable Registered Practitioners to qualify for accreditation as a Leading Mediator under AMDRAS.

        There are two different ways to become a Leading Mediator.

        The first way is provided for in section 16(a) of the AMDRAS Standards. This section requires you to have been an accredited mediator for at least 10 years and to have been previously accredited as an Advanced Mediator or equivalent for at least 6 of those 10 years. You can apply to your Recognised Accreditation Provider (RAP) using this process.

        If you fulfill ALL of the pre-requisite requirements and wish to apply for Leading Mediator Accreditation please email your application form and submission addressing all relevant experience as per the AMDRAS Standards to

        The second way is to apply to the AMDRAS Board through your RAP using s. 16(b) of AMDRAS where you do not meet the specific requirements of s. 16(a). This is equivalent, in some ways, to applying for an “alternative pathway” in relation to achieving accredited and advanced standing using AMDRAS sections 34 and 35.

        Because there is no training requirement for becoming a Leading Mediator there is no specified “alternative pathway” and these matters are elevated for consideration to the AMDRAS Board.

        As s.16(b) makes clear you need to demonstrate to your RAP and the Board that you have sufficient practice experience and have been engaged in the dispute resolution field in such a way that is equivalent to those requirements outlined in s. 16.

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