Do you have a burning question you would like to ask about this course before enrolling?
We offer 45-minute Learn More webinars, during which our experienced course facilitators provide information about this course, address any questions you may have, and assist you to make a decision about applying.

Applications for this course can be submitted online via the form below. After you have registered your interest in this course a RAV RTO staff member will contact you with further information about enrolment and to organise an interview with a course facilitator.

To gain entry into the CHC81115 Graduate Diploma of FDR a candidate must have one of the following:

• an undergraduate degree or higher qualification in psychology, social work, law, conflict management, dispute resolution, family law mediation or equivalent, or
• accreditation under the National Mediator Accreditation System, or
• the mediation skill set from the Community Training Package, or
• ability to provide documented evidence of previous experience in a dispute resolution environment in a job role involving:
  • self-directed application of knowledge with substantial depth in some areas
  • exercise of independent judgement and decision-making
  • a range of technical and other skills

Upon request and where applicable, candidates may request a credit transfer and/or Recognition of Prior Learning process.

Recognition enables students to have their existing skills and knowledge relating to FDR acknowledged and status granted where appropriate. This is available for people with extensive and relevant experience in family law, mediation, counselling or family and domestic violence.

To apply for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), you will need to provide evidence of the competencies needed for FDR by completing the RPL Application and Assessment Form, which is available from the RAV Training Team. Please also refer to the RTO Program Manual.

Relationships Australia Victoria (RAV) is a government-approved VET Student Loan (VSL) provider, able to offer the VSL program to eligible students to assist them in paying for their course tuition fees upfront for CHC81115 Graduate Diploma of Family Dispute Resolution

Find out more.

FDRPs provide structured processes and facilitated negotiations for families about parenting, financial and property matters related to a separation process.

An FDRP’s role includes providing information, undertaking intake and assessment around the suitability of the FDR process and capacity of families to participate, management of the FDR process and tailoring of it to individual needs.

The Graduate Diploma of FDR runs for one year over two semesters.

Semester one:

• Blended model with online learning modules, live and recorded webinars and blocked face-to-face skills workshops, along with a field trip.

Semester two:

• a 50-hour work placement, where students will actively work with clients in a supervised environment
• five, half-day placement seminars which provide students with the opportunity to present and discuss cases.

Students also undertake additional reading and research in preparation for assessment tasks.

Following successful completion of the Graduate Diploma, students will be qualified to:

• practice in the area of FDR
• apply for accreditation under the National Mediator Accreditation System (NMAS)
• register as an FDRP with the Australian Government’s Attorney-General’s Department.

The Graduate Diploma is delivered by highly experienced and currently-practising FDRPs, who have worked in a range of organisational and private practice contexts. Trainers have current training and assessment qualifications and relevant industry experience.

Semester one: online learning modules and skills workshops

Foundations of FDR Practice

• Module 1 Family Dispute Resolution
• Module 2 Family Violence
• Module 3 Intake/Assessment

Children and Parenting Matters in FDR

• Module 4 Post-Separation Parenting
• Module 5 Family Law and Parenting FDR

Property and Financial Matters in FDR

• Module 6 Context of Property FDR
• Module 7 Property FDR Process

Ethics and Inclusive FDR Practice

• Module 8 Diversity and Vulnerability in FDR
• Module 9 Ethical FDR practice
• Module 10 Bringing it all together

Semester two: work placement

• Fully arranged and supported work placement in a service providing FDR to clients. Each student is matched with a centre and specific accredited FDRP supervisor.
• Students will participate in a minimum of 50 hours of client and case support work.

Please refer to www.training.gov.au for detailed information on the course units.

CCHCDFV001 Recognise and Respond Appropriately to Domestic and Family Violence

CHCDFV008 Manage Responses to Domestic and Family Violence in Family Work

CHCDFV013 Manage Domestic and Family Violence Screening and Risk Assessment Processes

CHCFAM001 Operate in a Family Law Environment

CHCFAM002 Work with a Child-Focused Approach

CHCFAM007 Assist Clients to Develop Parenting Arrangements

CHCDSP001 Facilitate Dispute Resolution in the Family Law Context

CHCDSP002 Adhere to Ethical Standards in Family Dispute Resolution

CHCDSP003 Support the Safety of Vulnerable Parties in Family Dispute Resolution

CHCPRP006 Lead Own Professional Development

From 1 January 2015, students undertaking nationally accredited training with RAV (i.e. enrolling into VET courses) will need to set up a Unique Student Identifier (USI) and provide this to RAV’s administration team via email. RAV is required to record and verify a USI for each student.

More information and assistance in applying is available from the USI website and via the links below.

• Unique Student Identifier - Students
• Privacy and the Unique Student Identifier
• USI Privacy Policy

RAV approaches learning as a journey undertaken with the student. RAV will undertake appropriate steps to identify the support needs of learners, and work together with the learner to develop options and solutions to support them in the most appropriate way.

RAV is flexible in its approaches to support and will provide the required tools and supports to ensure the learner is supported through their journey to complete the course. This includes support across administration, career planning, financial payment plans, personal development needs including counselling or mediation services, and learner support provided by a diverse team of support staff.