Graduate Certificate in Family Dispute Resolution

By the end of the Program, students of the Graduate Certificate in Family Dispute Resolution, students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate the knowledge, skills and understanding of ethical principles set out in Cl 10.1 of the National Mediator Accreditation System and the capacity to fulfil the obligations of Family Dispute Resolution Practitioners set out in the Family Law Act and Regulations.
2. Demonstrate the capacity to be a professional and ethical family mediator:
   1. able to interact and engage with others appropriately, be impartial, and empower others to resolve their disputes;
   2. committed to achieving an outcome in the best interests of children, the future efficacy of the family relationships and maximising the family's capacity to function and thrive regardless of the outcome.

The Graduate Certificate in Family Dispute Resolution is a postgraduate program offered by the Faculty of Law. In this program, students will develop and enhance their skills in conflict resolution and mediation with the subjects offered as part of the Graduate Certificate running in conjunction with the Centre for Dispute Resolution, recognised as a leader in mediation excellence. Graduates of this program will demonstrate the knowledge, skills and understanding of the ethical principles as required by the National Mediator Accreditation System and will also have completed subjects which satisfy the six core competencies prescribed under the Family Law (Family Dispute Resolution Practitioners) Regulations 2008. On completion, this qualification may lead to national mediation accreditation as well as family dispute resolution practitioner registration.

Recommended study pattern

• LAWS77-801: Mediation and Dispute Resolution Practice 1
• LAWS77-802: Mediation and Dispute Resolution Practice 2
• LAWS77-803: Family Dispute Resolution 1
• LAWS77-804: Family Dispute Resolution 2

Award requirements

To qualify for the award of Graduate Certificate in Family Dispute Resolution, students must complete 4 subjects.

Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation. You will not pay any fees for using our services.

Indicative total fee $21,800

The amount shown here is indicative for an Australian citizen studying full-time, which is typically 8 subjects per year.

Fees may vary depending on:

• the subjects you choose
• credit from previous work experience
• your eligibility for government funding loans or subsidies such as HECS-HELP or a Commonwealth supported place.

To learn more, go to Fees or contact a student advisor.

Bond University does things differently. Your lecturers will know you and your tutors will invest time in you, so that your learning will get the attention it deserves. It's this individual approach that the university believes sets them apart. It's also why, for 13 years running, Bond University has received the highest possible ranking for student experience in Australia from the independent Good Universities Guide.

Learn more about Bond University.

QS World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:

31

Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:

27

Successful completion of an Australian Qualification Framework 7 equivalent bachelor's degree in law, psychology, social work, conflict management, mediation, or dispute resolution from an approved institution.

Please contact the Bond University Office of Future Students for further information.

To be discussed with the Faculty of Law, Bond University.

Family Dispute Resolution 2 is based on a clinical requirement to complete 50 hours of supervised Family Dispute Resolution practice and includes a clinical training intensive along with at least 20 hours of supervised family dispute resolution practice in an approved clinic.