Leading Mediator – Special Framework Comparison
10 special frameworks under AMDRAS cl 16(c) · Valid until 30 June 2031 (FW 1 & 2 have no sunset date) · Click any row to expand detail
For these five frameworks you can apply directly through Mediation Institute as your RAP. Note that FW 1, 2 and 10 still require you to hold the relevant credential from that organisation.
| Eligibility question | Mediation InstituteFW 3MI own framework | CRSFW 5MI can process | Resolution InstituteFW 1MI can process | RI FellowFW 2MI can process | LIVFW 10MI can process |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 — Membership / prior credential required? | |||||
| Membership / prior accreditation required? | ✓ MI’s own framework | ✗ No | ✓ RequiredRI Advanced Mediator ≥ 6 yrs | ✓ RequiredRI Fellow (pre-30 Jun 2025) | ✓ RequiredLIV ‘Accredited Specialist’ ≥ 6 yrs |
FW 3 – Mediation InstituteMI’s own framework — no prior external credential required beyond 10 years of NMAS/AMDRAS accreditation. FW 5 – CRSNo organisational membership required. Open to any NMAS/AMDRAS accredited mediator who meets the other criteria. FW 1 – Resolution InstituteMust hold RI ‘Advanced Mediator’ accreditation for at least 6 years as at 30 June 2025, and listed on the National Register for at least the previous 6 consecutive years. FW 2 – RI FellowMust be a Fellow of Resolution Institute, with Fellowship obtained prior to 30 June 2025 based on experience in mediation. FW 10 – LIVMust hold LIV ‘Accredited Specialist in Mediation’ for at least 6 years and listed on the National Register for at least the previous 10 consecutive years. | |||||
| Step 2 — Years of NMAS / AMDRAS accreditation | |||||
| Years of accreditation required | ✓ 10 yrs | ✓ 10 yrs | ~ 6 yrsvia RI pathway equiv. | ✓ 10 yrs consecutive | ✓ ≥ 10 yrs on register |
FW 3 & 5 – MI / CRS10 years of NMAS/AMDRAS accreditation. Evidence by providing details of accreditation and re-accreditation history. FW 1 – RIRI Advanced Mediator accreditation ≥ 6 years as at 30 June 2025, plus ≥ 6 consecutive years on the National Register. RAP certifies equivalence to cl 16(a)(i)–(ii). FW 2 – RI FellowMinimum 10 consecutive years of current NMAS or AMDRAS accreditation with demonstrated ongoing engagement in practice, training, or leadership. FW 10 – LIVAt least 10 consecutive years on the National Register, recognised via the LIV Accredited Specialist pathway. | |||||
| Step 3 — Practice hours | |||||
| Total & recent practice hours | ✓ 400 total250 in preceding 6 yrs | ✓ 400 total250 in preceding 6 yrs | ~ Equiv. cl 16(a)(i)–(ii) | ✓ 250 hrs / 6 yrs+ 150 hrs at Fellowship | ~ Equiv. cl 16(a)(i)–(ii) |
FW 3 & 5 – MI / CRS400 practice hours since accreditation, including 250 hours in the preceding 6 years. Evidence of practice hours will be discussed as part of the application process. FW 1 & 10 – RI / LIVRAP certifies equivalence to cl 16(a)(i)–(ii). No separate hours count required — prior accreditation is treated as demonstrating this. FW 2 – RI FellowMinimum 150 practice hours at the time of becoming a Fellow, plus 250 practice hours in the preceding six years. | |||||
| Step 4 — Practicum Certificate or equivalent | |||||
| Practicum Certificate required? | ~ Required or portfolio | ~ Required or portfolio | ✗ Not required | ✗ Not required | ✗ Not required |
FW 3 – MIMust be an Advanced Mediator holding a Practicum Certificate or alternative pathway. If not, a portfolio of suitable reflective practice evidence (one or more activities, minimum 20 hours each) may be submitted instead. FW 5 – CRSPracticum Certificate required, OR a portfolio: structured reflective practice/supervision (≥ 20 hrs/2 yrs), mentoring/coaching (≥ 12 hrs each to ≥ 2 mediators), or reflective writing/thought leadership. FW 1, 2 & 10 – RI / LIVNot required. Prior RI or LIV accreditation is treated as equivalent by the RAP. No Practicum Certificate or portfolio needed. | |||||
| Step 5 — Mentoring / coaching / supervision | |||||
| Mentoring / coaching required? | ✓ YesEvidence of commitment | ✓ Yes≥ 2 mediators, ≥ 12 hrs + coaching | ~ Equiv. cl 16(a)(iii)–(iv) | ✓ Future undertaking required | ~ Equiv. cl 16(a)(iii)–(iv) |
FW 3 – MIMust submit evidence of a current and ongoing commitment to providing training, mentoring, coaching and related services to Registered Practitioners as part of CPD. FW 5 – CRSStructured mentoring to ≥ 2 developing mediators (≥ 12 hrs each); coaching in skills workshops (≥ 12 hrs total). Evidence: mentoring logs, mentee feedback, RTP endorsement. FW 1 & 10 – RI / LIVRAP must satisfy itself that the applicant meets requirements equivalent to cl 16(a)(iii) and (iv). No specific hours or format prescribed. FW 2 – RI FellowMust undertake to provide future leadership, mentoring, coaching and related services to Registered Practitioners (per cl 16(a)(iv)) as a condition of re-accreditation. | |||||
| Step 6 — References and panel interview | |||||
| Written references required? | ✓ ≥ 2 referees | ✓ ≥ 2 referees | ✗ Not specified | ✗ Not specified | ✗ Not specified |
FW 3 & 5 – MI / CRS(1) At least one independent practitioner with ≥ 8 years on the National Register; and (2) at least one other person who can speak to how you have contributed to the profession beyond your own caseload. FW 1, 2 & 10 – RI / LIVNo specific written references required. The RAP certification process substitutes for formal references. | |||||
| Panel interview required? | ✓ Yes≥ 2 experienced mediators | ✓ Yes≥ 2 experienced mediators | ✗ Not required | ✗ Not required | ✗ Not required |
FW 3 – Mediation InstituteMI convenes a panel of two or more experienced independent mediators. Panellists must have at least 8 years on the National Register, or equivalent experience as an RTP trainer or assessor. The panel interviews the applicant and confirms suitability for Leading Mediator accreditation. FW 5 – CRSInterview with a panel of two or more experienced independent mediators with at least 8 years’ experience on the National Register, or alternatively experience as an RTP trainer or assessor, who confirm suitability for Leading Mediator accreditation. FW 1, 2 & 10 – RI / LIVNo panel interview required. The RAP grants accreditation based on certification of prior accreditation equivalence and its own assessment of suitability. | |||||
These five frameworks embed organisation-specific panels or committees. Applications must be made directly through the originating organisation — Mediation Institute cannot act as RAP for these frameworks.
| Eligibility question | AMAFW 4AMA only | VADRFW 6VADR only | Victorian BarFW 7Vic Bar only | UWA ClinicFW 8UWA only | BAQFW 9BAQ only |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 — Membership / prior credential required? | |||||
| Membership / prior accreditation required? | ✗ No | ✓ RequiredCurrent AMDRAS accreditation | ✗ No | ✗ No | ✓ RequiredQld practising certificate, private Bar (class A) |
FW 4, 7 & 8 – AMA / Vic Bar / UWANo organisational membership required beyond NMAS/AMDRAS accreditation. Open to any eligible accredited mediator who meets the criteria. FW 6 – VADRMust be a current AMDRAS accredited mediator. Experience from other mediation practice consistent with AMDRAS may be considered if the 10-year benchmark is not met. FW 9 – BAQMust hold a current Queensland practising certificate as a member of the private Bar (class A). Two pathways: Pathway A for practising barristers, Pathway B for former judicial officers. | |||||
| Step 2 — Years of NMAS / AMDRAS accreditation | |||||
| Years of accreditation required | ✓ ≥ 10 yrs | ~ 10 yrs NMAS/AMDRASor 12 yrs DR within 15 yrs | ✓ ≥ 10 yrs | ✓ ≥ 10 yrs | ! 10 yrs accreditedor equiv. at 50% rate |
FW 4, 7 & 8 – AMA / Vic Bar / UWA10 years of NMAS/AMDRAS accreditation. For FW 7, CPD requirements must also have been fulfilled throughout this period. FW 6 – VADR10 years under NMAS/AMDRAS, OR 12 years’ DR experience within the previous 15 years. Pre-accreditation FDRP experience may count via an alternative pathway protocol. FW 9 – BAQ10 years accredited, or equivalent — unaccredited years count at 50% rate. Minimum 10 yrs total. Former judicial officers may claim pre-appointment mediation hours. | |||||
| Step 3 — Practice hours | |||||
| Total & recent practice hours | ✓ ≥ 400 total≥ 250 in preceding 6 yrs | ✓ 400 total250 in preceding 6 yrs | ✓ 400 total250 in preceding 6 yrs | ✓ ≥ 400 total≥ 250 in preceding 6 yrs | ! Pathway-specificA: 350 hrs / 6 yrs · B: 250 hrs / 2 yrs |
FW 4, 6, 7 & 8400 practice hours since accreditation, including 250 hours in the preceding 6 years, documented with evidence. FW 9 – BAQPathway A: at least 350 hours as lead mediator in the last 6 years. Pathway B: at least 250 hours as lead mediator in the last 2 years — may include mediations conducted while a judicial officer. | |||||
| Step 4 — Practicum Certificate or equivalent | |||||
| Practicum Certificate required? | ~ Required or alt pathway | ~ Required or equiv.Masters / 60 hr activities | ~ Required or equiv.Masters / 60 hr activities | ~ Required or portfolio | ~ Required or equiv.or portfolio |
FW 4 – AMAPracticum Certificate (evidenced by RAP or RTP Certificate), OR Advanced Mediator Accreditation by an alternate pathway. FW 6 – VADRMust have obtained a Practicum Certificate or Practicum Certificate by alternative pathway. FW 7 & 8 – Vic Bar / UWAPracticum Certificate, OR Masters/Postgraduate Diploma in DR, OR 60+ hours from teaching, coaching/assessing, CPD presentations, supervision/mentoring, or published reflective writing. FW 9 – BAQPracticum Certificate, OR additional study meeting Part 4 Division 7 AMDRAS requirements, OR a portfolio of evidence of suitable reflective practice. | |||||
| Step 5 — Mentoring / coaching / supervision | |||||
| Mentoring / coaching required? | ✓ Yes≥ 2 mediators, ≥ 12 hrs + coaching | ✓ Yes≥ 2 mediators, ≥ 12 hrs each | ✓ YesPer cl 16(a)(iv) | ✓ Yes≥ 2 mediators, ≥ 12 hrs each | ✓ Yes≥ 2 mediators, ≥ 12 hrs each |
FW 4 – AMAFormally supervised ≥ 2 mediators under structured contract (≥ 6 months, ≥ 12 hrs each). Coached on ≥ 2 accredited training courses or ≥ 36 hrs coaching total. FW 6 – VADRMentoring ≥ 2 emerging mediators (≥ 12 hrs each); or clinical supervision ≥ 20 hrs/2-yr period; or leading structured group reflective practice. FW 7 – Victorian BarMentoring, coaching and related services per cl 16(a)(iv). Up to 40 hrs supervision/mentoring or coaching/assessing in accredited courses counts toward the 60 hr Practicum alternative. FW 8 – UWAActive mentoring/coaching to ≥ 2 developing mediators (≥ 12 hrs each) and/or skills workshops (≥ 12 hrs). Commitment to continue per cl 16(a)(iv) is mandatory. FW 9 – BAQFormal or informal mentoring of junior barristers or other DR practitioners. Structured mentoring to ≥ 2 developing mediators (≥ 12 hrs each), or coaching in skills workshops (≥ 12 hrs). | |||||
| Step 6 — References and panel interview | |||||
| Written references required? | ✓ ≥ 2 referees | ✓ 2 referees | ✓ 2 referees | ✓ ≥ 2 referees | ✓ ≥ 2 referees1 must be a barrister mediator |
FW 4 & 8 – AMA / UWA(1) At least one independent practitioner with ≥ 8 years on the National Register; and (2) at least one other person able to attest to the applicant’s leadership and pre-eminence in mediation practice. FW 6 – VADRTwo written references from Accredited Mediators with at least 8 years’ experience on the National Register. FW 7 – Victorian BarTwo written references from Accredited Mediators of at least 8 years’ accreditation standing, provided to the ADR Committee Accreditation Subcommittee. FW 9 – BAQAt least two professional references attesting to mediation skills and professional standing. At least one must be a barrister accredited mediator of minimum eight years. | |||||
| Panel interview required? | ✓ Yes≥ 2 AMA-nominated mediators | ✓ Yes≥ 2 experienced mediators | ✓ YesADR Committee Subcommittee | ✓ Yes≥ 2 experienced mediators | ~ Assessed by Association |
FW 4 – AMAWritten submission then panel meeting with ≥ 2 AMA-nominated mediators (≥ 8 yrs). The panel makes a recommendation to the RAP — this is why the process stays with AMA. FW 6 – VADRPanel of ≥ 2 experienced independent mediators (≥ 8 yrs on the National Register or equivalent RTP experience), who confirm suitability. FW 7 – Victorian BarMulti-stage: ADR Committee Accreditation Subcommittee interview → recommendation to ADR Committee → recommendation to Victorian Bar Council for approval. FW 8 – UWAPanel of ≥ 2 experienced mediators (8+ years, or equivalent as AMDRAS trainer/assessor). Formal recommendation to UWA Mediation Clinic Accreditation Committee. FW 9 – BAQAssociation assesses against pathway standards — reviewing CV, qualifications, statutory declaration, and references. No formal panel interview explicitly mandated. | |||||