Most mediators stop at accreditation – not because they lack experience, but because until recently, the pathway ended there. But for those ready to progress, change is here.
Under the new Australian Mediator and Dispute Resolution Accreditation Standards (AMDRAS), there’s a clear next step for practitioners who’ve mastered the essentials and want to raise the bar.
Ready to be recognised for your hard-earned skills and experience?
Becoming an Advanced Mediator offers the professional credibility you deserve. And the College of Law’s AMDRAS-approved course is designed to help you get there. Let us explain. AMDRAS: A new path for experienced mediators
Until recently, the accreditation process for mediators in Australia had one level: Accredited Mediator. Whether you were just starting out or had spent years refining your practice, your credential remained the same.
But on 1 July 2025, that changed.
Under AMDRAS, mediation is recognised as not just a skillset, but a professional discipline in its own right – one with structure, standards and space to grow. There are now three tiers of accreditation:
- Accredited Mediator: The starting point for newly trained professionals
- Advanced Mediator: For those able to handle more complex or high-stakes matters
- Leading Mediator: Senior professionals who mentor, lead and contribute to the field
Are you an experienced mediator looking to advance your skills and practice and gain formal recognition? Then Advanced Mediator accreditation is your next step.
What does it take to become an Advanced Mediator?
To become an Advanced Mediator under AMDRAS, you must:
- Be an Accredited Mediator for at least four years
- Have completed 150+ hours of mediation practice
- Complete an AMDRAS-approved Advanced Mediator Practicum Certificate within 12 months of applying for Advanced Mediator accreditation
This final piece is about more than meeting standards. It’s your opportunity to step back, reflect on your practice, refine your skills and build your network.
Let’s look at what the practicum involves.
The College of Law’s Advanced Mediator Practicum Certificate
At the College of Law, we’ve designed our practicum to meet the AMDRAS criteria for Advanced Mediator accreditation – while ensuring it delivers genuine professional growth for practitioners.
This isn’t tick-a-box mediation training. It’s a reflective, peer-led program that puts real-world challenges at the centre of your learning.
Through reflections, role plays, simulations and discussions, you’ll sharpen your skills, test your thinking and reconnect with the purpose behind your practice.
Some of the specific course objectives include:
- Identifying the barriers and challenges in mediation and how to overcome them
- Understanding the purpose, techniques and skills for each stage of the mediation process
- Becoming more aware of socio-cultural differences when mediating with culturally and linguistically diverse groups, Indigenous Australians, LGBTIQA+ communities and neurodivergent individuals.
To achieve these objectives, you will complete three components:
- A case study
- A 2-day, in-person workshop, at the College’s Sydney HQ
- A written assignment that shows your understanding of the course objectives and how to navigate complex issues in mediation
By the end of the course, you won’t just be eligible to apply for Advanced Mediator accreditation. You’ll be equipped to lead more confidently, strategically and effectively in your work.
Why choose the College of Law?
The College of Law is a Recognised Training Provider (RTP) under AMDRAS. And a trusted name in legal and dispute resolution CPD.
With over 50 years of experience in practical legal education, we’re proud to support thousands of professionals across the region with flexible, career-building programs.
Our Advanced Mediator Practicum Certificate is built around the realities of practice – and designed to take you from practitioner to professional leader.
The path ahead is now clear. All you need to do is take it.
Ready to advance your career in mediation? Enrol in the Advanced Mediator Practicum Certificate now. Or learn more about the AMDRAS pathway.
