At a glance
| Level | Practice hours | CPD hours | Renewal cycle |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accredited Mediator | 20 hours | 25 hours | Every 2 years |
| Advanced Mediator | 40 hours | 25 hours | Every 2 years |
| Leading Mediator | 40 hours | 25 hours | Every 2 years |
| Elder Mediation Specialist | 40 hours | 25 hours (⅓ in specialist category) | Every 2 years |
All figures per AMDRAS. See Keep Track of Your Professional Development for category breakdowns and evidence requirements.
Accredited Mediator
The entry level of national accreditation under AMDRAS. Accredited Mediators are qualified to practise independently across a range of dispute resolution contexts and form the foundation of the AMDRAS Training and Accreditation Framework. Post-nominals: AMDRAS Accredited Mediator or Nationally Accredited Mediator (AMDRAS).
Entry Requirements
Completion of a Certificate of Training (COT) — minimum 45 class-contact hours — followed by a Certificate of Assessment (COA) involving a 1,200-word written task and a standardised simulated mediation. Application for accreditation must be made within six months of obtaining the COA. An alternative pathway is available where prior learning and experience can be evidenced.
Practice Hours
At least 20 hours of dispute resolution practice over each two-year renewal cycle. Up to five hours may be intake and preparatory work, and up to five hours may be observation of a more experienced practitioner.
Professional Development
25 CPD hours over each two-year renewal cycle, directed at developing or maintaining the four Professional Attributes (Knowledge, Skills, Ethics and Responsibilities, and Professional Development).
Renewal
Every two years. Registered Practitioners must keep a record of practice and CPD hours and, if asked, provide it to their RAP or to the AMDRAS Board. Professional indemnity insurance (or statutory immunity) is required.
How Mediation Institute Supports You
Mediation Institute delivers COT and COA as an AMDRAS Recognised Training Provider, issues accreditation as a Recognised Accreditation Provider, and supports ongoing practice through supervision, peer reflection, CPD programs, and professional community.
Independent Complaint Handling
Mediation Institute provides independent complaint handling for mediators registered through Mediation Institute Recognised Accreditation Provider.
View complaint handling service →Advanced Mediator
The Advanced level recognises experienced practitioners who have built substantial hours in practice and have completed advanced reflective training through the Practicum Certificate. Advanced Mediators demonstrate depth across the Professional Attributes and are often working with more complex or sensitive matters. Post-nominals: AMDRAS Advanced Mediator or Nationally Accredited Advanced Mediator (AMDRAS).
Entry Requirements
Listed as an Accredited Mediator on the National Register for at least four years (two complete renewal cycles), with 150 hours of mediation practice accrued. In addition, satisfactory completion of the Practicum Certificate course (12-hour workshop plus an 800–1,000 word reflective case study) within the previous 12 months, or an approved alternative pathway. Application must be lodged within 12 months of obtaining the Practicum Certificate.
Practice Hours
At least 40 hours of dispute resolution practice over each two-year renewal cycle. Up to five hours may be intake or preparatory work, and up to five hours may be observation of a more experienced practitioner.
Professional Development
25 CPD hours over each two-year renewal cycle, directed at developing or maintaining the four Professional Attributes.
Renewal
Every two years. Where an Advanced Mediator returns to Accredited level and more than three years pass before returning to Advanced, the Practicum Certificate course must be completed again.
How Mediation Institute Supports You
Mediation Institute delivers the AMDRAS Practicum Certificate course and supports Advanced-level renewal as a Recognised Accreditation Provider. Supervision, peer reflection groups, and targeted advanced CPD are available through Mi membership.
Independent Complaint Handling
Mediation Institute provides independent complaint handling for mediators registered through Mediation Institute Recognised Accreditation Provider.
View complaint handling service →Leading Mediator
Leading Mediator is the highest level of accreditation under AMDRAS. It recognises experienced Advanced Mediators who contribute to the dispute resolution sector through mentoring, coaching, and leadership in the field. Post-nominals: AMDRAS Leading Mediator or Nationally Accredited Leading Mediator (AMDRAS).
Entry Requirements — Standard Pathway
Listed as an Advanced Mediator on the National Register for at least six years, with 250 practice hours as an Advanced Mediator (in addition to the 150 hours required to reach Advanced). The practitioner must commit to providing mentoring, coaching, or related services to Registered Practitioners as part of their ongoing CPD.
Entry Requirements — Alternative Pathway
Under clause 16(b) of AMDRAS, a RAP may apply to the AMDRAS Board for approval of a special framework recognising Leading Mediators based on prior training, practicum-equivalent experience, comparable practice history, and demonstrated leadership in the field. Mediation Institute operates an approved Pathway 3 for senior practitioners.
Practice Hours
At least 40 hours of dispute resolution practice over each two-year renewal cycle. Leading Mediators with 25 or more years of practice as Registered Practitioners have their CPD and practice requirements reduced by half.
Professional Development
25 CPD hours over each two-year renewal cycle, of which a minimum of 10 hours must be in Category C4 (Providing Professional Development — preparing or delivering presentations, supervision, mentoring, and contributions to leadership in the field).
Nomination & Evidence
Applications through Mediation Institute use a two-stage nomination and evidence workflow to support the Leading Mediator Pathway 3 framework. Contact Mediation Institute to begin the nomination process.
Independent Complaint Handling
Mediation Institute provides independent complaint handling for mediators registered through Mediation Institute Recognised Accreditation Provider.
View complaint handling service →Elder Mediation Specialisation
Elder Mediation is an established AMDRAS Specialist Dispute Resolution Practitioner stream. It recognises practitioners with additional training and demonstrated practice in matters involving older people and their families — including later-life family transitions, care and housing decisions, capacity considerations, and intergenerational conflict. The AMDRAS Board publishes the specific criteria for Elder Specialist accreditation.
Prerequisite Level
An applicant must be listed on the National Register as an Accredited Mediator, Advanced Mediator, or Leading Mediator before applying for Elder Specialist accreditation.
Additional Training & Accreditation
Additional training and accreditation requirements for Elder Mediation Specialist status are specified under the AMDRAS Standards. Mediation Institute delivers the pathway in line with those requirements.
Elder Mediation Specialisation →
Practice Hours
At least 40 hours of dispute resolution practice over each two-year renewal cycle, with at least 25% within the area of Elder Mediation. These hours also satisfy the renewal requirements of the underlying accreditation level.
Professional Development
25 CPD hours over each two-year renewal cycle (not additional to base-level CPD). Specialist Practitioners are generally expected to devote approximately one-third of CPD to activities relevant to their specialisation.
Renewal
Every two years, aligned with the underlying accreditation renewal cycle. Specialist status may not be claimed if the base-level accreditation lapses.
Independent Complaint Handling
Mediation Institute provides independent complaint handling for mediators registered through Mediation Institute Recognised Accreditation Provider.
View complaint handling service →Understanding the Requirements
The following definitions apply across all levels of AMDRAS accreditation. They are drawn from the AMDRAS Standards (October 2025) and the accompanying CPD Schedule.
What counts as practice hours
Practice hours are hours spent in dispute resolution-related work — most commonly as a mediator, co-mediator, or other third-party dispute resolver. Within each two-year renewal period, up to five hours of intake and preparatory work and up to five hours of observing a more experienced practitioner may be counted. AMDRAS recommends that at least one-third of the required hours be completed within the first year of each renewal cycle.
What counts as professional development
CPD must be directed at developing or maintaining the four Professional Attributes. AMDRAS recognises ten CPD categories, each with a maximum claimable limit per renewal period. Categories include education and conferences, structured peer-based reflection, professional supervision or coaching, providing professional development, publications and research, self-directed learning, role-playing in training, representing clients in dispute resolution processes, and related professional CPD. Hours counted for one renewal cannot be counted again for a later renewal.
Renewal cycle and evidence
Accreditation is renewed every two years. Registered
Practitioners must keep a record of their practice and CPD hours
and, if asked, provide that record to their RAP or to the
AMDRAS Board. Evidence of current professional indemnity
insurance (or statutory immunity, or a non-practising
certificate) is also required. Mediation Institute reminds
members of renewal dates and supports evidence compilation
through its RAP service.
Read the full renewal requirements →
Complaints and Concerns
Under AMDRAS, every Recognised Provider must have a complaints-handling policy that covers complaints about the Provider, its personnel, and any Registered Practitioners it accredits. Mediation Institute follows this model, ensuring a process that is accessible, respectful, timely, fair, and confidential, with a clear pathway for internal escalation and external review.
Ready to take the next step?
Whether you are beginning your journey toward AMDRAS accreditation, moving to Advanced or Leading Mediator, or adding an Elder Mediation specialisation, Mediation Institute can support you at every stage.
Enquire about accreditation Talk to us