The Mediator Training Academy (MTA), incorporated with the Australian Mediation Association (AMA) is the premier training and support organisation for all things related to mediation in Australia.  The Mediator Training Academy's Academic Advisory Board includes some of the most qualified mediators, teachers and education authors in the country.  We have years of experience in qualifying Mediators, Family Dispute Resolution Practitioners and Continual Professional Development requirements at the highest professional levels in Australia.

Successfully completing the Graduate Diploma of Family Dispute Resolution allows graduates to register with the Australian Attorney General to become a Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner.

This study can be done quickly and online in the comfort of your own home or office throughout Australia.

Our Graduate Diploma of Family Dispute Resolution is prepared by our Academic Advisory Board which includes some of the most qualified mediators, teachers and education authors in Australia.

A family dispute resolution (FDR) practitioner is an independent person who helps people affected by separation or divorce to resolve their parenting disputes. It is compulsory for couples to attend an FDR practitioner prior to attending the Family Court of Australia. For this reason, FDRPs are in high demand throughout Australia and is an excellent career path for mediation professionals.

To be qualified as an FDR practitioner you must meet the accreditation standards in the Family Law (Family Dispute Resolution Practitioners) Regulations 2008. The Graduate Diploma of Family Dispute Resolution will meet this requirement and allow the FDRP to issue section 60I certificates, which are required by the Family Court of Australia.

Entry Requirements

To gain entry into CHC81115 Graduate Diploma of Family Dispute Resolution a candidate must have:

An undergraduate degree or higher qualification in Psychology, Social Work, Law, Conflict Management, Dispute Resolution, Family Law Mediation or equivalent;

OR hold accreditation under the National Mediator Accreditation System (NMAS);

OR  hold the Mediation skill set from the Community Services Training Package (CHC);

OR can provide documented evidence of previous experience in a dispute resolution environment in a job role involving self-directed application of knowledge with substantial depth in some areas, exercise of independent judgement and decision-making, and a range of technical and other skills.

Qualification Description

This qualification reflects the role of family dispute resolution practitioners who provide services and interventions for families experiencing high levels of relationship conflict where clients may be involved in the family law system. They may work as independent practitioners or in larger agencies.

Dispute resolution in this qualification has a direct link to the provisions of the Family Law Act 1975 and the Family Law (Family Dispute Resolution Practitioners) Regulations 2008. Practitioners make high level, independent, complex judgements in highly specialised contexts. Some practitioner roles may also involve full responsibility and accountability for all aspects of own work as well as responsibility for broader management functions such as analysis, program planning, budgeting and strategy design.

To achieve this qualification, the candidate must have completed 50 hours of work as detailed in the Assessment Requirements of units of competency.

You may complete your fifty (50) hours under the supervision of one or more FDRPs and may be done  within the community sector or with a private FDRP.

Alternatively, students may choose to undertake our online Clinical Course to achieve this requirement at an additional fee.

In Order to complete the (CHC81115) Graduate Diploma of Family Dispute Resolution, you must be assessed as competent for the following units:

  • Core Unit: CHCFAM001 -  Operate in a family law environment
  • Core Unit: CHCDSP001 - Facilitate dispute in family law context
  • Core Unit: CHCDSP002 – Adhere to ethical standards in family dispute resolution
  • Core Unit: CHCFAM002 – Work with a child focused approach
  • Core Unit: CHCDFV008 – Manage responses to domestic and family violence in family work
  • Core Unit: CHCDSP003 – Support the safety of vulnerable parties in dispute resolution
  • Elective: CHCFAM007 – Assist clients to develop parenting arrangements
  • Elective: CHCFAM008 – Work within a child inclusive framework
  • Elective: CHCPRP006 – Lead own professional development
  • Elective: CHCDF013 - Manage domestic and family violence and abuse screening and risk assessment processes

Applicants who hold a Bachelors in Law, Social Work, Psychology, or, a current NMAS qualification may choose to do 6 core units of the 10 CHC81115 Graduate Diploma of Family Dispute Resolution.  By doing only 6 core units, the applicant will achieve a Statement of Attainment for those 6 core units to be presented to the Attorney General’s office along with a copy of their Bachelor or NMAS qualification with their FDRP application.  Applicants who do all 10 units will receive the CHC81115 Graduate Diploma of Family Dispute Resolution in its entirety.

Please see www.training.gov.au for all training unit contents and descriptions.

Enquire Now

Fill out the enquiry form, we'll get back to you within 24 hours. You can also phone 1300 633 428 to enquire about places on this course. Alternatively, you can email us to arrange a call back from Jason to discuss your requirements.

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    Occupational titles for these workers may include:

    • Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner
    • Aboriginal family consultant
    • ADR practitioner
    • Barrister mediator
    • Dispute resolution facilitator
    • Family and couples mediator
    • Family law mediator
    • Family relationships mediator
    • Indigenous family facilitator
    • Manager of an ADR service

    More information on becoming a family dispute resolution practitioner can be found here.

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    *some information utilised in this page has been obtained from the Attorney General’s website. © Commonwealth of Australia 2015

    Feedback

    "I would like to offer a few parting words as graduating student and share with those who are considering studying your Graduate Diploma in Family Dispute Resolution – FDR that this online course is the real deal, technically innovative, supported by an advanced learning curriculum portal that offers a simple step-by-step click through to the latest industry research and information at your fingertips.

    It is a simple study formula that offers professionals who are considering taking the FDR learning journey to a whole new level.  You will not be disappointed.

    For those who are up for the challenge and who are motivated by self-learning this is for you:  driven by industry quality standards in terms of course content, guidelines, process, study, assignments, assessment, theory and practice reflections, real life mediation role plays with coaches who are very experienced and knowledgeable in the field of FDR mediation."

    Michael Lenihan, International Freelance Consultant, Dip International Mediation

    More Information

    Pathway to a Masters of Conflict Management and Resolution

    The Mediator Training Academy is delighted to announce that the pathway to the Master of Conflict Management and Resolution with James Cook University has been finalised.

    MTA students who complete the CHC81115 Graduate Diploma of Family Dispute Resolution will receive credit for 4 subjects of the Master qualification – this equates to one third of the Masters requirements.

    This is a tremendous opportunity for our graduates and unique to the Australian mediation industry.

    Successfully completing the Graduate Diploma of Family Dispute Resolution allows graduates to register with the Australian Attorney Generals department to become a Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner.

    Registration time is now... For more information on the Master’s Program please click HERE

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