AMDRAS COT Alternative Pathway
What is the AMDRAS Certificate of Training Alternative Pathway?
The AMDRAS Certificate of Training (COT) alternative pathway is a way to have certain training courses that have not been approved as a Certificate of Training under AMDRAS approved in order to progress to the AMDRAS Certificate of Assessment.
If you have completed a very comprehensive mediation training course that wasn’t a Certificate of Training the Alternative Pathway Protocol offers a structured way to have your prior learning recognised.
You can find the Protocol on this page – Key Forms, Documents & Guidelines – AMDRAS
Here’s a breakdown of the process and what to expect.
The COT Alternative Pathway Application Process
Review the Evidence Collection Form to see if you believe your training may meet the protocol requirements Alternative Pathway Tick Sheet and Evidence Collection Form
Contact a Recognised Provider (RP) like Mediation Institute. Share your training history and any certificates or course details. A certificate alone is unlikely to be sufficient as they must evaluate against the following criteria.
- Evaluation. Mediation Institute or the other RP will assess whether your past training meets AMDRAS criteria. This includes reviewing:
- Duration of the course
- Course Content
- Trainer qualifications
- Simulated mediation components
- Additional Training (if needed) If your previous training is over 12 months old or missing essential components, we may require:
- Targeted evaluation and assessment of your knowledge and skills
- Refresher training sessions
- Further study aligned with AMDRAS standards
- Issuance of Alternative Pathway COT If all requirements are met after any supplementary training, the RP will issue a Certificate of Training stating it was granted via an alternative pathway.
Certificate of Assessment
The next step required for National Accreditation under AMDRAS is a Certificate of Assessment. It is unlikely that any previous assessment will have met all the requirements of the Certificate of Assessment (COA) so in most cases you will be required to complete the COA.
National Accreditation AMDRAS
Once you have your Certificate of Training and your Certificate of Assessment you can apply for National Accreditation.
Submit your certificates and supporting evidence to a Recognised Accreditation Provider (RAP) for full accreditation under AMDRAS.
What is the Alternative Pathway for Initial Training as a Mediator?
The AMDRAS Board recognises that some applicants may have undertaken equivalent mediation training—either overseas or through Australian qualifications delivered outside the typical Recognised Training Provider certification pathway. If that’s you, this protocol provides an approved route to achieving a Certificate of Training (COT) via a Recognised Provider (RP).
Eligibility Snapshot
To be considered, your prior training must include:
- Substantial equivalence to AMDRAS standards—especially in practical elements like sufficient role play simulations.
- For international training: course duration, trainer qualifications, and activities should closely align with AMDRAS standards (Part 4, Division 5 & Appendix 1).
- For Australian training: it must come through a Vocational Education and Training VET Registered Training Organisation RTO or Higher Education institution and demonstrate equivalent practical training.
What would not be considered Equivalent?
Case Study 1: Online Conflict Resolution Course (International)
Background: An applicant completed a 12-hour online course in conflict resolution from a U.S.-based private training company. The course was self-paced, had no live instruction, and included multiple-choice quizzes but no simulated mediations.
Assessment:
- Trainer qualifications were not disclosed.
- Course duration was too short substantially less than the body of knowledge requirement for the AMDRAS course.
- No practical components or role-play assessments.
Conclusion: Not substantially equivalent. The lack of interactive, assessed simulations and trainer oversight fails to meet AMDRAS standards.
Case Study 2: Workplace Conflict Coaching Certificate (Australia)
Background: The applicant completed a Certificate in Workplace Coaching through a private Australian provider not registered under the VET or Higher Education system. The course focused on communication and leadership and contained a module on conflict management and mentioned mediation but did not include mediation-specific skills related content.
Assessment:
- Not a VET or Higher Ed qualification.
- No mediation simulations or structured mediation framework.
Conclusion: Not eligible. While valuable, the course does not align with the mediation-specific competencies required under AMDRAS.
Case Study 3: Restorative Justice Facilitation Training (New Zealand)
Background: The applicant completed a 3-day workshop on restorative justice facilitation, including some role-play scenarios. The training was delivered by a community justice organisation.
Assessment:
- Trainer credentials were not aligned with AMDRAS-recognised standards.
- Focus was on restorative justice, not facilitative mediation.
Conclusion: Not substantially equivalent. While related, the process and competencies differ significantly from those required for mediator accreditation.
Case Study 4: University Psychology Degree with Conflict Resolution Unit (Australia)
Background: The applicant completed a Bachelor of Psychology that included a single unit on conflict resolution. The unit was theoretical, with no practical mediation exercises.
Assessment:
- Trainers not nationally accredited
- Delivered by a Higher Ed provider, but
- Lacked practical mediation training and assessment.
Conclusion: Not sufficient. The unit alone does not meet the practical and competency-based requirements of the Certificate of Training.
Case Study 5: Mediation Training Course provider not a Recognised Training Provider (Australia)
Background: The applicant completed a course called Mediation Certificate Training that was not delivered by a Recognised Training Provider. The course included both theory and practical mediation exercises. The trainers were nationally accredited.
Assessment:
- Trainers nationally accredited but
- The course not delivered by a Higher Ed provider,
Conclusion: Not able to be recognised. For quality control purposes in order for a training course delivered in Australia to be recognised the course provider must apply to the AMDRAS Board for recognition as a Recognised Training Provider.
