National Mediation Accreditation

On 1 July 2025, the Australian Mediator and Dispute Resolution Accreditation Standards (AMDRAS) officially replaced the National Mediator Accreditation System (NMAS).

The Mediation Standards Board (MSB) is responsible for the ongoing development and maintenance of AMDRAS.

The objectives of AMDRAS include the following:

  • To establish, regulate and promote:
  • the professional standards for Registered Practitioners.
  • the training and accreditation requirements for Registered Practitioners.
  • the obligations of organisations authorised to provide training and accreditation.
  • all aspects of the administration of AMDRAS.
  • the protection of the participants in dispute resolution processes.
  • promote public and stakeholder confidence in AMDRAS, including mechanisms for engagement and feedback.
  • To ensure transparency, quality, consistency, and accountability in the professional practice of Registered Practitioners.
  • To advance the professional status of Registered Practitioners.
  • To provide a foundation on which the Board can systematically reflect, plan, and take strategic action for, the development and advancement of dispute resolution domestically and internationally.

For more information, please visit the AMDRAS website.

Levels of Accreditation

The AMDRAS recognises 3 levels of accreditation:

  • Accredited Mediator
  • Advanced Mediator
  • Leading Mediator

For more information please refer to Division 3 – Levels of accreditation of AMDRAS.

Accreditation by the Law Society

The Law Society of South Australia is a Recognised Accreditation Provider (RAP), and is approved to accredit mediators under AMDRAS. 

An applicant must be either:

  • a legal practitioner holding a current practising certificate and the appropriate Professional Indemnity Insurance; or
  • a legal practitioner who does not hold a current practising certificate, where the legal practitioner:
    • provides evidence of current membership of an ADR organisation that has a complaints system; and
    • gives an undertaking to maintain that membership during the currency of the AMDRAS accreditation once obtained; and
    • provides details of appropriate professional indemnity insurance.

To apply for Accredited Mediator status, please click here to download the application form.

To apply for Renewal as an Accredited Mediator, please click here to download the application form.

Recognition of current accreditation by another RAP external to the Society

Applicants accredited by a RAP external to the Society (external RAP) who wish to apply to have their accreditation recognised by the Society and to have their names added to the Law Society List of Mediators will be asked to provide:

  • evidence of accreditation by the external RAP, including by supplying a copy of their application to the external RAP; and
  • permission from the external RAP (and its delegate, if relevant) to disclose AMDRAS-related information; and
  • disclosure of any complaints made against them to the AMDRAS Board or external RAP.

If the Society agrees to recognise the accreditation by another RAP, the Society’s recognition will be effective concurrently with the period of accreditation with the alternative RAP.

To apply for Recognition of your current accreditation by an external RAP please email the required information and documents listed above to [email protected]

Fees

One of the requirements for accreditation is the payment of a national registration fee to the AMDRAS Board. The fee is $130 for the two-year period of accreditation.

Training Providers

The Society is not a Recognised Training Provider (RTP) under AMDRAS, and it does not provide AMDRAS training and assessment.

You will find details of all AMDRAS RTPs on the AMDRAS website.

Standard Forms

Standard Form Dispute Resolution Clause

It is often a good idea to include a Dispute Resolution Clause in commercial contracts to oblige the parties to go to mediation in the first instance in the event of a dispute. The Society has developed an example of a Dispute Resolution Clause that may be used. Please note that every contract is different and the Dispute Resolution Clause must be adapted to suit the requirements of the parties.

The Law Society expressly disclaims all liability for the use of the attached clause.

Standard Form Mediation Agreement

Before beginning the mediation process, it is often a good idea to enter into a mediation agreement. The Society has developed an example of a Mediation Agreement that may be used. Please note that every dispute is different and the Mediation Agreement must be adapted to suit the requirements of the parties. The Law Society expressly disclaims all liability for the use of the mediation agreement.

Download the Mediation Agreement: PDF | Word

List of Nationally Accredited Mediators

The Law Society maintains a list of lawyers who are nationally accredited mediators. The list showing contact details can be accessed here. If you wish to find a mediator for a client and would like details concerning charges and mediation experience, please phone the Law Society on (08) 8229 0229.

Further enquiries

For more information and to apply for accreditation by the Law Society, please contact the Ethics and Practice via email [email protected].

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