Elevate Your Mediation Skills: Advanced Mediator Accreditation and the Practicum Explained

Welcome to an exciting new journey in the world of mediation! In this blog post, we’ll explore the Advanced Mediator Accreditation under the AMDRAS standards, a significant development for Mediators wanting recognition of their mediation skills.

Understanding AMDRAS

The Australian Mediator Dispute Resolution Accreditation Standards (AMDRAS) officially replaced the National Mediator Accreditation System (NMAS) on the 1st  July 2025. Although there’s been a year-long transition period, the shift promises more flexibility and opportunities for growth in our sector. If you’re already accredited under NMAS you are an Accredited Mediator AMDRAS, no additional tests or actions are required. When your renewal comes due you’ll apply under AMDRAS and will be able to renew as an Accredited Mediator, provided you meet renewal requirements.  

Close to renewal? You can find your AMDRAS Renewal Form in the members portal. www.mimembers.au/renew 

Accreditation Levels Explained

Under AMDRAS, new levels of accreditation are now available, providing distinct pathways for professionals:

• Accredited Mediators AMDRAS: Automatically transitioned from the NMAS system.
• Advanced Mediators AMDRAS: Requires further experience and training, including at least four years of national accreditation and 150 hours of mediation practice. Plus completion of a Practicum Certificate. 
• Leading Mediator AMDRAS: Requires a further 6 years as an Advanced Mediator. We are applying for an Alternative Pathway so there is a way for relevant experience and leadership to be recognised in the interim. 

Pathway to Advanced Mediator Accreditation

The journey to becoming an Advanced Mediator involves enrolling in a practicum course offered by a Recognised Training Providers RAP such as Mediation Institute. The Practicum is formatted as a workshop, focusing on practical skills, self-reflection, and collegial discussions around case studies. With offerings both in-person and online, our course ensures that all potential mediators can participate, regardless of their location.

Practicum Course Information Page 

Practicum Details

Format: Workshops with a minimum of 12 hours, typically scheduled over two days in-person or four online sessions.

Requirements: Participants must have been Nationally Accredited for at least 4 years (2 renewals) and have 150 hours of practice experience to be eligible to enrol. 

Offerings: Options include in-person, online, and tailored in-house sessions for groups of six or more.

Upcoming Sessions: The first in-person practicum launches in July 2025 in Brisbane with our assessor team, Peter Johnstone and Darren Clark co-facilitating.

You can use the Enrolment Form to Express your Interest in this workshop or let us know you’d like an in person workshop in your city or online.  Practicum Workshop Form.

Alternative Pathways

If you believe your previous experience aligns with the practicum requirements, reach out to us for an evaluation. Peer supervision and reflective practice, while valuable, typically don’t qualify as a practicum unless specific criteria are met.  We encourage eligible members to complete the practicum as a fantastic Professional Development opportunity and a chance to learn from the facilitators and other experienced mediators. 

Alternative Pathway Eligibility

• You must have completed a course, workshop or supervised reflective practice substantially equivalent to the Practicum Certificate Course under AMDRAS. 
• The course you are seeking recognition for must have been delivered at a time when you would have been eligible to enrol in a practicum (4 years + nationally accredited) 
• We would need to get sufficient information provided by you to evaluate if the time spent, nature of the work and qualifications of the course trainer were equivalent to the requirement under the AMDRAS standards. 
• You must be nationally accredited for at least 4 years (2 renewal cycles) and have completed at least 150 practice hours of mediation to be eligible to apply for Advanced Mediator Accreditation. 
• Self-reporting of unsupervised, unstructured, or peer reflective practice is not acceptable as an alternative pathway.
• If the prior learning evidence is over 12 months old or does not meet AMDRAS standards, we may require further participation in a Practicum Course or other assessment evidence.
• We may charge a fee for Alternative Pathway assessments.
• Certificates granted through an alternative pathway must clearly state that they are an Alternative Pathway Certificate not one from a Practicum Course and include relevant information about what evidence was provided and approved.

How to Begin the Practicum

Ready to elevate your mediation skills? Ensure you have at least two renewal cycles of accredited experience and evidence of active practice.

Upon completion of the practicum, you can apply to upgrade to Advanced Mediator through the Mi members portal or contact us directly for guidance.

Thank you for considering this opportunity to enhance your professional journey. We hope to welcome you soon in one of our live sessions, where your skills and expertise can grow alongside other dedicated individuals in the mediation field.

For more information, please visit the Practicum Course page Practicum  or contact our team Contact.

Let’s shape the future of mediation together!

You can watch a presentation on these changes below.