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Overview
RPL (Recognition of Prior Learning) is a formal assessment process. It recognises the skills and knowledge you have built through work experience, professional practice, and prior learning — and assesses them against the unit requirements of the CHC81115 Graduate Diploma of Family Dispute Resolution.
RPL is not a shortcut. The same standard of evidence is required as for any other form of assessment. The assessor must be satisfied that your evidence is valid, sufficient, authentic and current before competency can be awarded for any unit.
You can apply for RPL for individual units or for the full qualification. There is no requirement to apply for all units — you may complete some through RPL and others through training and assessment.
💡 Not sure whether RPL or training is right for you?
Many candidates find that a combination works best — RPL for the units where their experience is strongest, and training for the rest. Start with a free meeting and we will give you an honest assessment of your likely eligibility before you commit time or money.
Many candidates find that a combination works best — RPL for the units where their experience is strongest, and training for the rest. Start with a free meeting and we will give you an honest assessment of your likely eligibility before you commit time or money.
Eligibility
What makes RPL possible for this qualification
RPL for CHC81115 is available to candidates who have demonstrable, current, verifiable experience in the family law or dispute resolution sector. Before applying, you need to satisfy all of the following:
Required — 1
Evidence within the last 3 years
Due to the frequency of legislative change in the family law system and the high-risk nature of FDR practice, all RPL evidence must be from within the last 3 years. Evidence predating this period cannot be used to satisfy the currency rule of evidence and RPL cannot be granted for the affected units.
Required — 2
Verifiable, specific evidence
Generic professional experience is not sufficient. Your evidence must be specific to the unit requirements — drawn from real practice, supported by third-party confirmation (supervisor, employer, or professional colleague with direct knowledge of your work), and capable of being verified.
Required — 3
FDR practice evidence for the core FDR units
The three core FDR practice units (CHCDSP001, CHCDSP002, CHCDSP003) require evidence of at least 50 hours of dispute resolution work with clients under the supervision of an accredited FDRP, or as a registered FDRP yourself. These units cannot be granted through RPL on the basis of related professional experience alone — the evidence must be specific to FDR practice.
Who is likely to be eligible?
✓ Experienced FDRPs considering their options under the 2025 Regulations
If you are currently practising as a registered FDRP, you do not need to do anything now. The CHC81115 Graduate Diploma is only relevant if you stop practising and later wish to re-register. The qualification is not a requirement for practitioners who are already registered and continue to practise.
If you are unsure about your status under the Family Law (Family Dispute Resolution Practitioners) Regulations 2025, we recommend contacting the Attorney-General’s Department Practitioner Registration Unit directly. They are the authoritative source on registration requirements and your specific circumstances.
For those who do need the qualification — for example, practitioners who have stepped away from practice and wish to re-register — RPL is likely to be a strong pathway. Depending on your qualifications and background, you may be eligible for:
- The 6 core units only (Statement of Attainment pathway) — if you hold an eligible degree in law, psychology, social work, dispute resolution or similar, or hold current AMDRAS accreditation of at least 2 years including first renewal. This pathway leads to registration under Pathway 2 or 3 of the 2025 Regulations.
- The full 10-unit qualification — if you do not hold an eligible degree or AMDRAS accreditation, you will need to complete the full qualification including 4 elective units.
Your practice history is likely to provide strong RPL evidence across most or all units. Book a meeting to discuss which pathway applies to your situation.
Currency reminder: RPL evidence must be from within the last 3 years. If you have been away from FDR practice for more than 3 years, RPL may not be available and you may need to complete the training pathway instead. Contact us to discuss your options.
✓ DFV specialists with FDR practice experience
If your background is in DFV services and you have also practised FDR — under direct FDRP supervision or as a registered FDRP — you may be eligible for multiple units. Candidates with DFV practice but no FDR practice should expect to complete the three FDR practice units through training.
✓ Parenting coordinators, child consultants, and family relationship practitioners
Practitioners working in the family law system with strong child-focused and parenting frameworks may be eligible for CHCFAM002 (Work with a Child-Focused Approach) and CHCFAM007 (Assist Clients to Develop Parenting Arrangements). Eligibility for the FDR practice units still depends on supervised FDR practice evidence.
Who is unlikely to be eligible?
✕ Family lawyers and legal professionals (in their normal legal role)
Legal practice does not satisfy the RPL requirements for the CHC81115 units. The qualification requires competence in the FDR practitioner role — including operating within family law systems and processes as an FDR service provider, facilitating dispute resolution, and managing safety — which is distinct from legal representation even where family law expertise is strong.
For detailed unit requirements, download the RPL Candidate Information Kit.
✕ Psychologists, social workers and mental health professionals (in their normal clinical role)
Clinical practice does not satisfy the RPL requirements for the CHC81115 units. The qualification requires competence in the FDR practitioner role, which is distinct from therapeutic or counselling practice even where family law or DFV experience is strong.
For detailed unit requirements, download the RPL Candidate Information Kit.
Special cases
▶ FCFCOA Registrars — Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia
FCFCOA Registrars are deemed FDRPs under the Family Law Act and may be able to provide the required evidence for the core-units-only Statement of Attainment pathway. Whether this is possible will depend on the individual’s evidence, and the notes below give an indication of what is typically involved.
- Third-party confirmation from the Court is required
- Case scenario examples are required for the CHCDSP001 / CHCDSP002 / CHCDSP003 cluster
- Gap training or additional evidence is generally required for CHCFAM001 — court experience does not typically cover the full scope of the FDR Regulations and the broader family law service context this unit addresses
- Book a meeting before applying to discuss your individual evidence
▶ Early FDRPs — registered before the VET qualification existed
If you were registered as an FDRP under the original Regulations — before the VET qualification pathway existed — and you have maintained continuous practice, you are likely to have strong RPL eligibility. Your long practice history is an asset. The key requirement is that your evidence is current (within 3 years) and verifiable.
We understand the history of the sector and the pathways that existed before the current qualification. Book a meeting to discuss your situation — we will work with you to identify the strongest evidence approach.
▶ Recognition of Current Competency (RCC)
If you have previously completed a unit with an identical code to a unit in CHC81115 Release 2, and that unit is currently active on training.gov.au, you may be eligible for Recognition of Current Competency (RCC) — a simpler process than RPL that requires your original certificate or statement of attainment.
Important: CHC80308 Graduate Diploma of Family Dispute Resolution is not equivalent to CHC81115. Units from CHC80308 or any other superseded qualification cannot be granted RCC, but may be used as supporting evidence within the RPL process.
The process
1
Book a meeting to discuss your eligibility
Start with a free meeting with a Mediation Institute team member. We will discuss your background, the units you are considering, and give you an honest assessment of your likely eligibility before you commit any time or money. Use the booking link at the bottom of this page.
2
Complete the FDR Enrolment Form to begin
Following the meeting, if you are ready to proceed, complete the standard FDR Enrolment Form. This enrols you with Inspiritive Pty Ltd (RTO 21178) and triggers issue of the Evidence Portfolio Workbook. The enrolment fee is payable at this stage.
Complete the FDR Enrolment Form →3
Receive the Evidence Portfolio Workbook
Once enrolment is confirmed, you will receive access to the Evidence Portfolio Workbook. Work through it at your own pace, describing your experience and uploading supporting documents for each unit you are claiming. All case examples must be de-identified before submission.
4
Submit your portfolio
Submit your completed Evidence Portfolio Workbook through the Mediation Institute Learning Management System or by email to [email protected].
5
Evidence review
Your assessor will review your submitted evidence against the requirements of each unit before scheduling the competency conversation. They may request additional evidence at this stage.
6
Competency conversation
You will attend a structured conversation with the assessor by video or phone — typically 30–45 minutes for a multi-unit application. This is not an exam. The assessor uses it to verify your evidence, ask follow-up questions, and confirm your underpinning knowledge. You will be given the date and time in advance.
7
Assessment decision
Following the conversation, the assessor records a judgment of Competent or Not Yet Competent for each unit. You will receive written feedback.
8
Gap training (if required)
If you are assessed as Not Yet Competent for any unit, the assessor will identify the specific gaps. Gap training is available only for units that Mediation Institute currently delivers through training and assessment. For other units, the pathway will be discussed with you. A reassessment fee may apply.
9
Issuance
Where all requirements are met, Inspiritive will issue your qualification or Statement of Attainment.
Fees
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Initial meeting to discuss eligibility | No charge |
| RPL — per unit | $500 per unit |
| Full qualification — train and assess (10 units: 6 core + 4 electives) | $14,000 |
| Core units only — train and assess (6 units, Statement of Attainment pathway) | $10,000 |
| Reassessment following Not Yet Competent outcome | Fee on application |
RPL is assessed at a flat fee of $385 per unit regardless of whether the unit is a core or elective unit. Contact us for a fee schedule and individual quote based on the units you are claiming.
Book a meeting to discuss your RPL pathway
Start with a free conversation. We will assess your background honestly, tell you which units are likely eligible, and outline the process before you commit to anything. If you are ready to proceed after the meeting, complete the enrolment form to get started.
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 1300 781 533
Phone: 1300 781 533
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