The Nationally Accredited Mediator Training Program consists of five days of an intensive workshop conducted via video conferencing and preparatory reading material and online interactive activities, to be completed prior to the workshop. You will also need to complete written activities post workshop. You’ll learn through role-play and practice – while being guided by accredited mediation professionals.

During your training, you’ll learn the fundamental principles of mediation, including impartiality and confidentiality, as well as a range of conflict resolution and negotiation strategies. You’ll also explore the ethical standards and legal frameworks integral to mediation.

Program outline:

• Days one and two: Introduction to mediation, models of mediation, pre-mediation intake and conflict analysis, facilitative model, stages of mediation and complexities (impasses, power imbalance, ethical dilemmas)
• Days three, four and five: Nine role plays over three days where participants act as mediators, oral and written feedback, group debriefing, large group sessions addressing participant questions, and patterns, complexities and issues observed by the instructors

Workshop times

9am to 5.30pm (Australian Eastern Time) each day (7.5 hours per day, breaks not included) 

Participants seeking formal Nationally Accredited Mediator status will also need to complete the National Mediation Assessment (for all assessments through 2024). For further information on how to do this, please contact our Customer and Student Engagement team on Tel 02 9965 7111 or email cpd@collaw.edu.au

For practitioners seeking National Mediation Accreditation, the National Mediation Assessment consists of one day of mediation theory and review to prepare you for your full day of role-play assessment conducted via video conferencing. You will have the opportunity to ask any last-minute questions. You will also be required to complete a written assessment on the learning portal following the completion of the workshop.

Workshop times

• Thursday (9am to 4.30pm Australian Eastern Time): Review of mediation models and theory
• Friday (9am to 4.30pm Australian Eastern Time): Role-play assessment

Prerequisite: You must have successfully completed a Nationally Accredited Mediator Training Program or its equivalent within the required timeframe to undertake/enrol in a National Mediation Assessment.

Enhance your career and differentiate yourself amongst mediation professionals by becoming an Accredited Advanced Mediator under the new Australian Mediator and Dispute Resolution Accreditation Standards (AMDRAS).

Our Advanced Practicum Certificate course is your pathway to being accredited as an Advanced Mediator.

To complete the Practicum Certificate, you must be an Accredited Mediator for at least four (4) years (two complete renewal cycles) and have completed at least 150 practice hours.

This course is largely driven by the participants with reflections, discussions, role plays, simulations and other exercises that are derived from the experience of the participants and their case study examples. It is a dynamic and rewarding course for any experienced mediator who is passionate about their craft and wanting to share, learn and hone their skills. 

The Practicum Certificate course focusses on advanced and complex issues that mediators face in practice. Course objectives include –

• Identifying practice barriers and challenges in mediation and methods to overcome them
• Identifying and demonstrating a sophisticated understanding of the purpose, techniques and skills required for each stage of the mediation process
• Awareness of socio-cultural issues when mediating with culturally and linguistically diverse communities, indigenous Australians and other diverse groups and communities, including LGBTIQA+, and consideration of neurodiversity
• Identifying and demonstrating the characteristics of a mindful and reflective mediator
• Discussing and reflecting on mediation experiences in a constructive and supportive environment

The Advanced Mediator Practicum Certificate course has 3 components:

• Submission of a case study at least 2 days prior to the commencement of the workshop. The case study will be submitted via the learning portal and materials and resources will be provided to you via the learning portal as well
• A 2-day, in-person workshop, at the College’s Sydney HQ
• Assessment – To complete the Practicum Certificate, participants must demonstrate an understanding of the course objectives and how to navigate complex issues in mediation with a written assignment that draws on the workshop content. The assessment is due within seven (7) days of the completion of the workshop and has an 800-1000-word limit.

Upon successfully completing all course requirements, a Practicum Certificate will be awarded enabling you to seek Advanced accreditation via your Recognised Accreditation Provider (RAP).

The College of Law is a Recognised Training Provider (RTP) under AMDRAS.

Linda Kochanski AM, LLB, Nationally Accredited Mediator (AMDRAS), FDRP, Senior Practice Leader, Dispute Resolution, The College of Law

Linda Kochanski was admitted as a Solicitor in Queensland, initially specialising in Family and Criminal Law. She gained extensive experience in various areas of law but discovered a particular interest in family law and mediation.

Linda subsequently worked for Relationships Australia in various roles including Branch Manager, Coordinator of Mediation and Senior Consultant in Mediation. She has practised in all forms of relationship mediation. Linda continues to practice mediation as a private practitioner specialising in relationship mediation.

Linda has been a Tutor and Lecturer since 1991 working initially as a tutor with QUT. Linda has worked as a Lecturer in Professional Legal Education for Griffith and Bond Universities as well as holding the position of Co Director Bond University Dispute Resolution Centre. She has also positions with the Australian Mediation Association and the University of Southern Queensland.

Linda is a former director (2016 to 2024) of the AMDRAS Board and is an invited consultant for 2025. She is also Co Director of Global Training and Professional Development Ltd.

Linda has presented at national and international conferences on Mediation and Family Law and has published in these areas as well and has received industry awards for her work as a FDRP and DR Academic.

Bianca Keys, Biance Keys Dispute Resolution Consulting

Bianca Keys is a highly experienced Mediator (AMDRAS accredited), Facilitator, Trainer and Conflict Management Coach. She has been working as a dispute resolution practitioner since 2004, and as a mediation trainer since 2005.

Bianca operates her own consultancy, specialising in mediation and conflict management services for commercial, workplace and healthcare disputes. She was a Director on the Mediator Standards Board from 2014-2022 and Chairperson between 2019-2021. The Mediator Standards Board oversaw the previous National Mediator Accreditation System and established the revised Australian Mediator and Dispute Resolution Accreditation System (AMDRAS).

Bianca has diverse experience designing and implementing industry dispute resolution schemes. She has worked with Federal Government and Industry in the design and management of DR processes for the Australian franchising, horticulture, retail, petroleum, film exhibition, and wine making industries.

Bianca has delivered mediation training in Australia, the United Kingdom, Thailand, Malaysia, Hong Kong, China, the Philippines, and Bahrain. This variety has given her the opportunity to work with different cultures and to develop a broad understanding of training and accreditation needs. In addition, Bianca designs and delivers tailored conflict management and resolution skills workshops for organisations, and professional development workshops for mediators and conciliators.

Bianca has a legal background, although she now works solely as an ADR professional. She has been appointed to a number of mediation and conciliation panels, including the NSW Health Care Complaints Commission, NSW Small Business Commission, NSW Personal Injury Commission, NSW Farm Debt Mediation, the Australian Wine Industry Code, the Australian Disputes Centre, and the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman (Franchising and Small Business Disputes).

Bianca is a frequent contributor to industry publications and conferences and is consulted for her expertise in effective communication,

The College of Law can provide in-house mediation training aligned with the Australian Mediator and Dispute Resolution Accreditation Standards (AMDRAS) for organisations in Australia and worldwide.

Whether you seek AMDRAS accreditation or mediation skills training for your staff, contact us to coordinate everything from enrolment to completion. The course can be delivered online or on-site at certain College campuses.

For more information, please contact
Email: b2b@collaw.edu.au

The Mediation Training Program, Assessment and Advanced Mediator Practicum Certificate courses comply with the mandatory requirement of Professional Skills.

If you intend to claim CPD units for this educational activity, please note that CPD activities are not accredited by the Law Society of NSW or any other equivalent local authority, with the exception of Western Australia. If you hold a practising certificate in a state or territory other than Western Australia and this educational activity extends your knowledge and skills in areas that are relevant to your practice needs or professional development, then you should claim one (1) “unit” for each hour of attendance, refreshment breaks not included. The annual requirement is ten (10) CPD units each year from 1 April to 31 March. Some practitioners, such as accredited specialists are required to complete more than ten (10) units each CPD year.

Practitioners holding WA practising certificates are not eligible to earn CPD points for this course.

College alumni are entitled to save 10% off the fee for this course. Use ALUMNI10 at the checkout.