CHC81115

Graduate Diploma of Family Dispute Resolution

Learning Mode

Online/Face to Face

Location

Adelaide; Perth

Duration

10 Months

Study Load

Full Time

Course Overview

Extend your professional practice and help families find child-focused resolutions.

The Graduate Diploma of Family Dispute Resolution (CHC81115) is a nationally recognised qualification that prepares you to become a registered Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner (FDRP) in Australia.

Delivered as a blend of online and face to face learning in Adelaide (SA) and Perth (WA), this practice-based program equips you with the skills and confidence to guide separating families through mediation and conflict resolution with empathy, professionalism, and cultural awareness.

Why Study Family Dispute Resolution?

Family Dispute Resolution Practitioners play an essential role in helping families resolve parenting, property, and financial matters without going to court.
With ongoing demand for qualified practitioners across Australia, this program opens the door to a meaningful and sustainable career that supports families through life’s most challenging transitions.

As a student, you will:

  • Build advanced skills in intake, screening and assessment, mediation, and negotiation.

  • Learn to facilitate structured, child-focused discussions that result in workable agreements.

  • Develop a deep understanding of risk identification, family violence response, and safety planning.

  • Gain insight into ethical and legal responsibilities under the Family Law Act and its Regulations.

  • Strengthen your capacity for professional communication, trauma-aware practice, and cultural responsiveness.

Upon successful completion, you will meet the education requirement for registration as an FDRP with the Australian Attorney-General’s Department, subject to additional statutory requirements, including supervised practice and suitability checks.

Career Opportunities

Graduates are equipped to work in a range of professional settings, including:

  • Family Relationship Centres

  • Community and not-for-profit mediation services

  • Family law and counselling practices

  • Private dispute resolution or consultancy

Roles include:

  • Accredited Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner

  • Mediator or Family Law Mediator

  • Case Manager or Program Coordinator in family services

With increasing demand for accessible and affordable dispute resolution, employment prospects in this area continue to grow across both metropolitan and regional Australia.

Pathways for Further Study

This qualification can support entry into:

  • Advanced practice roles in mediation, family law, or family violence services

  • Postgraduate study in conflict management, counselling, or social work

  • Professional registration and ongoing accreditation under the National Mediator Accreditation System (NMAS)

Placement and Professional Practice

To graduate, students must complete at least 50 hours of supervised dispute resolution work with clients under the guidance of an accredited Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner (FDRP).

AISR provides support in arranging suitable placements and supervision to help you meet this requirement.

  • All placements must be approved by AISR prior to commencement.

  • Where available, placements may be offered through Relationships Australia SA or Relationships Australia WA programs.

  • Students are encouraged and supported to secure placements with other approved FDR services in their local area.

You’ll have 12 months from the completion of Unit of Study 3 to finalise your placement hours, allowing flexibility to balance study, work, and professional commitments.

Why Study with the Australian Institute of Social Relations?

  • Delivered by Relationships Australia SA – a trusted national leader in family and community services

  • Blended delivery for flexibility and national accessibility

  • Expert trainers with real-world dispute resolution experience

  • Practical learning underpinned by trauma-informed, ethical and culturally responsive frameworks

  • Dedicated student support throughout your studies and placement

Prerequisites

Entry is open to professionals who meet at least one of the following:

  • Hold an undergraduate degree or higher in Psychology, Social Work, Law, Conflict Management, Dispute Resolution, Family Law Mediation, or equivalent

  • Hold accreditation under the National Mediator Accreditation System (NMAS)

  • Hold the Mediation Skill Set from the Community Services Training Package (CHC)

  • Can provide documented evidence of substantial experience in a dispute resolution role requiring independent judgment and technical expertise

Applicants must complete a suitability interview with the course coordinator.

RPL credit may be granted for relevant prior learning or experience.

Units of Competency

1 Strengthening Safety Through Risk Identification and Response

  • CHCDFV001 Recognise and respond appropriately to domestic and family violence (elective)
  • CHCDFV012 Make safety plans with people who have been subjected to domestic and family violence (elective)
  • CHCDFV013 Manage domestic and family violence screening and risk assessment processes (elective)

2 Essentials of Family Dispute Resolution

  • CHCFAM001 Operate in the family law environment (core)
  • CHCFAM002 Work with a child focused approach (core)
  • CHCFAM007 Assist clients to develop parenting arrangements (elective)

3 Family Dispute Resolution in Practice

  • CHCDSP001 Facilitate dispute resolution in the family law context (core)
  • CHCDSP002 Adhere to ethical standards in family dispute resolution (core)
  • CHCDSP003 Support the safety of vulnerable parties in family dispute resolution (core)
  • CHCDFV008 Manage responses to domestic and family violence in family work (core)

Students to complete Work Placement Hours. Unit of study 3 online and classroom content must be completed prior to commencing a supervised work placement. Variations to this may be
negotiated if a student can demonstrate they are currently conducting family dispute resolution practice under supervision and can complete assessments on the job.

Recognition of prior learning (RPL) may be granted for relevant prior study or experience. For more details on the RPL process, visit: RPL page

Fee

$12,500 Full Fee

VET Student Loans may be available (eligibility applies). Please note, this is a loan that must be repaid to the Commonwealth.
To check your eligibility visit VET information for students.
For more information visit our Fees and Payment page.

Qualification Information Brochure

Course Details

Date: 2 February 2026
Location: Adelaide and Perth

 

Nationally Recognised
Training (NRT)

Nationally recognised training (NRT) leads to vocational qualifications and credentials that are recognised across Australia.

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Acknowledgement of Country

We acknowledge the cultural, spiritual and economic sovereignty of Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

We understand that the ongoing violation of this sovereignty continues to harm Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people’s relationships, health, wellbeing and aspirations.

We are committed to strengthening the wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, families and communities.

We recognise that respecting and nurturing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities is a benefit for all Australians.

We especially honour the Kaurna Elders of the Adelaide Plains and the Elders of the River Murray and Mallee Region, which includes: Ngaiawang, Ngawait, Nganguruku, Erawirung, Ngintait, Ngaraite, Ngarkat and small parts of Maraura and Daanggali, and Elders of Barngarla Country in the Far North and Boandik Land in Mount Gambier, upon whose country Relationships Australia South Australia offices are located.

As educators we recognise the Ancient Universities and ways of knowing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples have existed for millennia, and we respect and honour First Nations expertise.