AMDRAS Mediators
25 hours of CPD every 2 years
AMDRAS Mediators must also meet practice hour requirements based on accreditation level.
Keep Track of Your Professional Development Requirements
Professional development requirements vary depending on your role, accreditation, and registration status. This page brings together the key requirements for AMDRAS Mediators, Family Dispute Resolution Practitioners, and Family Group Conference Facilitators, with links to help you track your hours and access relevant events.
FDR Practitioners
24 hours every 2 years
Professional development must be relevant to Family Dispute Resolution practice and supported by proper record keeping.
FGC Facilitators
24 hours every 2 years
This is currently a membership expectation for facilitators working in Family Group Conferencing.
Track Your Hours and Access Events
Mediation Institute members can use MiMembers to log Continuing Professional Development and practice hours, access resources, and register for upcoming events.
Track CPD and practice hours View events
Total CPD Requirement
Under AMDRAS, mediators must complete:
- 25 hours of CPD every 2 years
- Practice hours, with the required number depending on accreditation level
Practice hours are separate from CPD. Accredited Mediators require 20 practice hours. Advanced Mediators and Leading Mediators require 40 practice hours.
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Total CPD Hours | 25 hours every 2 years |
| Number of CPD Categories | 10 |
CPD Activity Categories
AMDRAS recognises a range of professional development activities. These include formal learning, reflective practice, supervision, professional contribution, and related learning that supports mediator capability.
Examples of recognised CPD activity categories include:
- Education, training, seminars, and conferences
- Structured peer-based reflection
- Professional supervision or coaching
- Providing professional development, such as teaching or mentoring
- Related professional CPD, including relevant law or social science learning
- Role play or participation in dispute resolution training
CPD Categories and Maximum Claimable Hours
Each category has a maximum number of hours that can be counted toward the 25-hour requirement. Because of these caps, most mediators will need a mix of activities across more than one category.
| CPD Activity Type | Maximum Claimable Hours |
|---|---|
| C1. Education and Conferences | Up to 20 hours |
| C2. Structured Peer-Based Reflection | Up to 7 hours |
| C3. Professional Supervision or Coaching | Up to 8 hours |
| C4. Providing Professional Development | Up to 15 hours |
| C5. Related Professional CPD | Up to 5 hours |
| C6. Role Playing in Dispute Resolution Training | Up to 4 hours |
| C7. Representing Clients in Dispute Resolution Processes | Up to 4 hours |
| C8. Self-directed Learning | Up to 5 hours |
| C9. Publications and Research Participation | Up to 8 hours, with no more than 4 hours for any one activity |
| C10. Other Activities | Up to 5 hours and must be approved |
What This Means in Practice
You do not need to complete CPD across specific mandatory activity combinations. However, you do need to:
- Reach a total of 25 CPD hours
- Stay within the maximum claimable hours for each category
- Ensure the CPD supports professional development and mediator competencies
In practice, this usually means completing a mix of activities rather than relying on one activity type alone.
Evidence of CPD
| Item | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Evidence of CPD | Provide evidence of CPD activities upon request. |
| Tracking Template | The official AMDRAS template is located in Appendix 2. |
You can use the AMDRAS template or the MiMembers online tool to log and track your CPD and practice hours.
Go to CPD tracker View eventsAMDRAS Practice Hour Requirements
In addition to Continuing Professional Development, AMDRAS Mediators must also meet practice hour requirements based on accreditation level.
| Mediator Level | Practice Hours Required |
|---|---|
| Accredited Mediator | 20 hours |
| Advanced Mediator | 40 hours |
| Leading Mediator | 40 hours |
| Elder Mediator Specialist | 40 hours, with one third of CPD in the specialist category |
What Counts as Practice Hours
- Work as a mediator, co-mediator, or third-party dispute resolver
- Up to 5 hours of pre-mediation activity
- Up to 5 hours observing a more experienced practitioner
Specialist Practice Hours
Specialist hours are not added on top of the standard practice hour requirement. Specialist Mediators need 40 hours of professional practice regardless of their level of accreditation.
Evidence of Practice Hours
Keep a log, journal, or similar record of your practice hours without identifying client details. For example, record a client reference number, date, and type of service.
You can log both CPD and practice hours in MiMembers.
Log practice hoursFamily Dispute Resolution Practitioner Professional Development
Family Dispute Resolution Practitioners are required to complete 24 hours of professional development every 2 years, measured from the date you became accredited or, where relevant, from your reinstatement date.
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Hours | 24 hours every 2 years from the date you became accredited |
| Categories of Professional Development | 3 |
Professional Development Categories
| Category | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Education | Must be relevant to the role of an FDR Practitioner |
| Training, including courses and seminars | No fixed number of hours is specified for each category |
| Professional Development, including reading publications | Activities must directly support Family Dispute Resolution practice |
Record Keeping Requirements
| Record Keeping Item | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Information to Keep | The day, duration, and type of activity, including notice of attendance or certificates of completion |
| Complaint Handler Requests | Provide records upon request to your complaint handler |
| Attorney General Department Audits | Provide records upon request when an audit is conducted |
| Time to Keep Records | 7 years |
What Counts as Professional Development
Professional development must be directly related to the provision of Family Dispute Resolution and should include education, training, or professional development relating to family violence, the Family Law environment, and developments in dispute resolution theory and practice.
What Does Not Count
- Regular work as an FDR Practitioner
- Participating as a client in a role play unless you can demonstrate how it develops your practice
- Non-specific training not relevant to Family Dispute Resolution practice
Use MiMembers to log your professional development and keep your records organised.
Track FDR professional development See upcoming eventsFamily Group Conference Facilitators
There is currently no formal accreditation system for Family Group Conference Facilitators. As part of Mediation Institute membership expectations, facilitators in this area are encouraged to complete 24 hours of professional development every 2 years related to Family Group Conferencing.
Professional development may include training, peer discussion, mentoring, supervision, facilitated reflection, and other learning that strengthens practice in this area.
Need Help Working Out What Applies to You?
If you are unsure which requirements apply to your role, or you need help planning your professional development, contact us or request a callback.
Request a callback Contact us Browse events