Australian Government: Attorney-General's Department
Australian Government: Attorney-General's DepartmentAchieving a Just and Secure Society

Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner Accreditation

How to become a Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner

A family dispute resolution practitioner is an individual that meets the accreditation requirements set out in the Family Law (Family Dispute Resolution Practitioners) Regulations 2008.

Family dispute resolution practitioners must apply for accreditation to the Australian Government Attorney-General’s Department.

Accreditation standards

Practitioners that wish to provide family dispute resolution and issue section 60I certificates under the Family Law Act 1975 must meet Accreditation Standards set out in the Regulations.

There are three pathways for family dispute resolution practitioners to meet the accreditation requirements:

  • completion of the full Vocational Graduate Diploma of Family Dispute Resolution (or the higher education provider equivalent); or
  • an appropriate qualification or accreditation under the National Mediation Accreditation Scheme and competency in the six compulsory units from the Vocational Graduate Diploma of Family Dispute Resolution (or the higher education provider equivalent); or
  • included in the Family Dispute Resolution Register before 1 July 2009 and competency in the three specified units (or higher education provider equivalent).

The Regulations allow for higher education providers to certify to the Attorney-General's Department that the postgraduate course or units they provide are equivalent to the Vocational Graduate Diploma. A course or unit can only be equivalent from the date the Vocational Graduate Diploma was endorsed (24 September 2007). The list of certified higher education providers is available from the Family Dispute Resolution FAQs and Resources page.

Training and assessment in the units of competency from the Vocational Graduate Diploma is delivered by registered training organisations and higher education providers that provide the equivalent units.

The National Training Information Service website contains information about registered training organisations that deliver the qualification.

Application for Accreditation

If you wish to apply for Accreditation complete the Application for Accreditation as a Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner – Final Accreditation Standards

For more information about the Accreditation Standards see:

Further information

Please contact the Practitioner Accreditation Unit on 1800 025 255 or via e-mail fdrregistration@ag.gov.au if you have further questions.