Mediator accreditation in Australia

National Mediator Accreditation Standards (NMAS)

The National Mediator Accreditation System (NMAS) is a voluntary, industry based scheme introduced in January 2008. Since then, NMAS accreditation and practice standards have been widely adopted across Australia. Neighbouring countries in the Asia Pacific region also use NMAS on occasion as the required standard for mediators.

The implementation and development of NMAS is overseen by the Mediator Standards Board (MSB). Organisations designated as Recognised Mediator Accreditation Bodies (RMABs) can accredit mediators to the national standards. Resolution Institute is a Recognised Mediator Accreditation Body (RMAB) under the National Mediator Accreditation System (NMAS)

NMAS certification trademark

Identify yourself as accredited under the National Mediation Accreditation System by using the NMAS certification trademark.

Access your trademark

Get accredited

There are multiple pathways to become an accredited mediator in Australia under the National Mediator Accreditation System (NMAS).

Maintain your accreditation

Every two years you will need to apply for renewal of your NMAS accreditation. You will need to demonstrate that you meet all the accreditation renewal requirements (read section 2 of the NMAS). 

Follow the two step process to renew your accreditation:

1. If you have not already done so, add all completed CPD activities, and any mediations, co-mediations and/or conciliations in your accreditation period to your CPD record.

2.Once added please make payment. Note: payment can be made from two months prior to renewal.

Reinstate your accreditation

If you have been accredited under NMAS and you have taken a leave of absence or your accreditation has lapsed, you will need to apply for a reinstatement rather.

To reinstate your accreditation, please contact us

Resolution Institute Advanced Mediator Accreditation

Resolution Institute Advanced Mediation Accreditation recognises your experience and expertise. Members who currently hold accreditation under the National Mediator Accreditation System (NMAS) can continue to hold NMAS accreditation and add Resolution Institute Advanced Mediator Accreditation to their credentials. If you currently hold accreditation under the Resolution Institute Mediator Accreditation Scheme, Advanced Accreditation replaces it.

Becoming advanced accredited

To apply for advanced accreditation:

1. You need Resolution Institute Mediation Accreditation or NMAS accreditation. If you don’t have either of these, we may be able to recognise wholly or in part your other mediation training, assessment and/or experience. To apply for recognition of prior learning and/or experience, contact us.
2. With your application you will need to provide:
   • Adequate proof of completion of 250 hours of mediation in the 3 years prior to this application.
   • Written evaluations of at least 10 parties, or their advisers, showing that your mediation demonstrated a high level of competency in the process; You can use your own feedback form or ours: or
   • Download client evaluation form (DOC)
3. You will need to complete a professional conversation assessment with a Resolution Institute assessor where you will provide evidence about how you demonstrate the competencies for advanced accreditation:

 

Download Guide to Advanced Mediation Accreditation assessment (PDF)

As well as advanced accreditation, you can apply for Fellow membership of Resolution Institute. Advanced accreditation is one way you can demonstrate the significant knowledge and expertise criteria for Fellow membership. Fellow membership also recognises contribution to Resolution Institute or the broader dispute resolution industry.

Apply for advanced accreditation Apply for Fellow membership

Retaining advanced accreditation

To retain, your accreditation you must during the six months following the expiration of each three-year period after the initial advanced accreditation meet the following requirements.

• Retain your professional or Fellow membership with Resolution Institute (Resolution Institute accreditations lapse if membership lapses.)
• Meet the same CPD requirements as previously:
  • mediated at least 75 hours; or
  • attended workshops, courses or e-learning relating to mediation of at least 25 hours; or
  • attended workshops, courses or e-lectures relating to mediation for at least 12.5 hours and taught mediation for at least 12.5 hours.

In addition, you are required to submit:

• ten written evaluations of the mediator’s conduct of mediation which demonstrates a high level of competence; or
• evidence of at least 4x one-hour long supervision sessions per year in the three years prior to renewal of accreditation by a supervisor who is approved by Resolution Institute and who provides Resolution Institute with a written assessment of the mediator’s high level of competence; /or
• a written assessment by a suitably experienced and qualified supervisor or assessor that the mediator, in a session in which s/he conducts a mediation, has demonstrated a high level of competence. Prior approval of the supervisor or assessor must be obtained from the Resolution Institute.

Any CPD you complete run by Resolution Institute, is recorded in our CPD Tracker. You may add professional learning activities run by other providers and your mediation practice hours to the CPD Tracker as well. Recording CPD as you go makes renewing your accreditations much easier.

Track Your CPD