POSTGRADUATE PROGRAMS
BECOME AN EXPERT IN YOUR PASSION.
A POSTGRADUATE QUALIFICATION GIVES YOU AN EDGE
The College of Law can help you expand on what you already know and acquire new knowledge while providing you with opportunities to hone your skills in a practice area, so that you stand out from the competition.
Open up new career pathways by studying a Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma or Master of Laws program. One that’s reality-based, balanced and world-renowned, so you can become the best version of yourself for your client, practice and community.
This is your chance to build career prospects, earn industry recognition, and boost your earning potential.
Curious about where your skills could take you next? Scroll down to explore the variety of practice areas, detailed course subjects, and potential awards waiting for you. Find your perfect fit and tailor your education to your career ambitions.
Intake 1, Starts 10 February 2025
PROGRAM OPTIONS - FAMILY DISPUTE RESOLUTION PRACTICE
Graduate Diploma of Family Dispute Resolution Practice
5
4 core subjects (FDR1, FDR2, FDR3, FDR4) and FDR5 or 20 hours external practicum
Either a bachelor’s degree in a related field, an NMAS qualification or experience in a relevant field
7 - 9 months
Master of Laws (Applied Law) majoring in Family Dispute Resolution Practice
8
4 core subjects (FDR1, FDR2, FDR3, FDR4), FDR5 and 3 elective subjects or a second major (4 subjects)
A recognised law degree (LLB, JD, or equivalent)
2 years part-time
Master of Laws (Applied Law) majoring in Family Dispute Resolution Practice and Family Law
9
5 core subjects (FDR1, FDR2, FDR3, FDR4), FDR5 and 4 Family Law elective subjects
A recognised law degree (LLB, JD, or equivalent)
2 years part-time
HAVE QUESTIONS OR WANT TO ENROL
Book a call back with one of our Customer and Student Engagement Advisors at a time that suits you.
FAMILY DISPUTE RESOLUTION PRACTICE SUBJECTS
FDR1 - Family Law and Mediation
Intake FDRPThis subject forms the foundation of the family dispute resolution (FDR) subjects. In this subject students will be introduced to family law and the place of mediation within family law.
Students will acquire the requisite knowledge to enable them, as a family dispute resolution practitioners (FDRP), to contextualise and appreciate each party’s unique situation within the family law framework, and assist each of them to understand their own role and their respective roles in the process.
This subject also discusses where mediation sits on the dispute resolution spectrum and how the process assists in the resolution of family disputes.
TOPICS
- Overview of Australian family law
- Obligations of a family dispute resolution practitioner
- The dispute resolution spectrum
- Conflict analysis and pre-mediation preparation
- Mediation models
- Facilitative mediation process
- Communication skills in mediation Common issues in mediation
*Current Nationally Accredited Mediators are eligible for advanced standing for the FDR1 - Family Law and Mediation subject.
FDR2 - Children’s Matters, Family Law and Family Dispute Resolution
Intake FDRPTOPICS
- Defining and understanding families
- Emotional impact of separation on family members
- Children's needs and best interests
- Family law and children's matters
- Parenting plans and parenting orders.
FDR3 - Advanced Family Dispute Resolution
Intake FDRPTOPICS
- Family violence, child protection and the law
- Screening for violence, risk assessment and safety planning
- Techniques for managing volatile clients and situations
- Ethics in family dispute resolution.
FDR4 - Case Management in Family Dispute Resolution Capstone
Intake FDRPTOPICS
- Introduction to family dispute resolution case management Intakes (and variations)
- Assessment for suitability Information and referrals for mediation
- Property matters in family dispute resolution
- Child support assessment formula
- Preparing for and conducting mediation
FDR5 - Virtual Simulated Practice
Intake FDRPThis subject is designed to provide students with the virtual simulation practice in family dispute resolution setting. This subject consists of the items of practical coursework. During this subject, students will be required to lead or co-facilitate on three matters, including: children matters and property matters.
TOPICS
This subject will be conducted over 8 weeks with 5 days online face to face sessions to be spread over 3 weeks. Each student will be allocated three matters and will be required to conduct an intake for each of the matters as well as a mediation session.
Students will also be required to complete several assessments associated with the matters such as written agreements, intake assessment forms and matter analysis.
The online face to face sessions will be conducted in the following weeks: Week 3 – 1 day online face to face; Week 4 – 3 days online face to face; and Week 7 - 1 day online face to face.
Students will be allocated in the groups of four and assigned a supervisor/coach for the assessments and feedback. Successful completion of this subject will provide students with the remaining 20 hours of clinical placement under the FDRP practicum requirements.
START DATES
| Feb Intake 1 | May Intake 2 | Aug Intake 3 | Nov Intake 4 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| START DATE | 10 Feb 2025 | 12 May 2025 | 11 Aug 2025 | 10 Nov 2025 |
| CENSUS | 26 Feb 2025 | 28 May 2025 | 27 Aug 2025 | 03 Dec 2025 |
| END DATE | 02 May 2025 | 01 Aug 2025 | 31 Oct 2025 | 06 Feb 2026 |
| Subject | Start Date | Census | End Date | Workshop Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DRP3 - Advocacy | 22 Sep 2025 | 01 Oct 2025 | 31 Oct 2025 |
15 - 17 October 2025 |
| DRP4 - Mediation | 06 Oct 2025 | 15 Oct 2025 | 14 Nov 2024 |
TBC |
| EPP2 - Superannuation | 01 Jul 2024 | 10 Jul 2024 | 09 Aug 2024 | |
| FDR1 - Family Law and Mediation | 10 Feb 2025 | 19 Feb 2025 | 21 Mar 2025 |
3 - 5 March 2025 NSW/VIC 1 - 3 September 2025 NSW/VIC |
| FDR1 - Family Law and Mediation | 11 Aug 2025 | 20 Aug 2025 | 19 Sep 2025 |
3 - 5 March 2025 NSW/VIC 1 - 3 September 2025 NSW/VIC |
| FDR2 - Children’s Matters, Family Law and Family Dispute Resolution | 24 Mar 2025 | 02 Apr 2025 | 02 May 2025 |
10 - 12 April 2025 NSW & VIC 16 - 18 October 2025 NSW/VIC |
| FDR2 - Children’s Matters, Family Law and Family Dispute Resolution | 22 Sep 2025 | 01 Oct 2025 | 31 Oct 2025 |
10 - 12 April 2025 NSW & VIC 16 - 18 October 2025 NSW/VIC |
| FDR3 - Advanced Family Dispute Resolution | 05 May 2025 | 14 May 2025 | 13 Jun 2025 |
26 - 28 May 2025 NSW & VIC 24 - 26 November 2025 NSW/VIC |
| FDR3 - Advanced Family Dispute Resolution | 03 Nov 2025 | 12 Nov 2025 | 12 Dec 2025 |
26 - 28 May 2025 NSW & VIC 24 - 26 November 2025 NSW/VIC |
| FDR4 - Case Management in Family Dispute Resolution Capstone | 27 Jan 2025 | 05 Feb 2025 | 27 Mar 2025 |
17 - 19 February 2025 QLD & WA 7 - 9 July 2025 QLD & WA
|
| FDR4 - Case Management in Family Dispute Resolution Capstone | 16 Jun 2025 | 25 Jun 2025 | 25 Jul 2025 |
17 - 19 February 2025 QLD & WA 7 - 9 July 2025 QLD & WA
|
| FDR4 - Case Management in Family Dispute Resolution Capstone | 26 Jan 2026 | 04 Feb 2026 | 06 Mar 2026 |
17 - 19 February 2025 QLD & WA 7 - 9 July 2025 QLD & WA
|
| FDR5 - Virtual Simulated Practice | 07 Apr 2025 | 17 Apr 2025 | 30 May 2025 |
Day 1 - 24 April 2025 Day 1 – 26 September 2025 |
| FDR5 - Virtual Simulated Practice | 08 Sep 2025 | 18 Sep 2025 | 31 Oct 2025 |
Day 1 - 24 April 2025 Day 1 – 26 September 2025 |
| LB3 - Business Strategy: Planning for Success | 05 May 2025 | 14 May 2025 | 13 Jun 2025 | |
| LB3 - Business Strategy: Planning for Success | 03 Nov 2025 | 12 Nov 2025 | 12 Dec 2025 |
| Subject | Start Date | Census | End Date | Workshop Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FDR1 - Family Law and Mediation | 10 Feb 2025 | 19 Feb 2025 | 21 Mar 2025 |
3 - 5 March 2025 NSW/VIC 1 - 3 September 2025 NSW/VIC |
| FDR1 - Family Law and Mediation | 11 Aug 2025 | 20 Aug 2025 | 19 Sep 2025 |
3 - 5 March 2025 NSW/VIC 1 - 3 September 2025 NSW/VIC |
| FDR2 - Children’s Matters, Family Law and Family Dispute Resolution | 24 Mar 2025 | 02 Apr 2025 | 02 May 2025 |
10 - 12 April 2025 NSW & VIC 16 - 18 October 2025 NSW/VIC |
| FDR2 - Children’s Matters, Family Law and Family Dispute Resolution | 22 Sep 2025 | 01 Oct 2025 | 31 Oct 2025 |
10 - 12 April 2025 NSW & VIC 16 - 18 October 2025 NSW/VIC |
| FDR3 - Advanced Family Dispute Resolution | 05 May 2025 | 14 May 2025 | 13 Jun 2025 |
26 - 28 May 2025 NSW & VIC 24 - 26 November 2025 NSW/VIC |
| FDR3 - Advanced Family Dispute Resolution | 03 Nov 2025 | 12 Nov 2025 | 12 Dec 2025 |
26 - 28 May 2025 NSW & VIC 24 - 26 November 2025 NSW/VIC |
| FDR4 - Case Management in Family Dispute Resolution Capstone | 27 Jan 2025 | 05 Feb 2025 | 07 Mar 2025 |
17 - 19 February 2025 QLD & WA 7 - 9 July 2025 QLD & WA |
| FDR4 - Case Management in Family Dispute Resolution Capstone | 16 Jun 2025 | 25 Jul 2025 | 25 Jul 2025 |
17 - 19 February 2025 QLD & WA 7 - 9 July 2025 QLD & WA |
| FDR4 - Case Management in Family Dispute Resolution Capstone | 26 Jan 2026 | 04 Feb 2026 | 06 Mar 2026 |
17 - 19 February 2025 QLD & WA 7 - 9 July 2025 QLD & WA |
| FDR5 - Virtual Simulated Practice | 07 Apr 2025 | 17 Apr 2025 | 30 May 2025 |
Day 1 - 24 April 2025 Day 1 – 26 September 2025 |
| FDR5 - Virtual Simulated Practice | 08 Sep 2025 | 18 Sep 2025 | 31 Oct 2025 |
Day 1 - 24 April 2025 Day 1 – 26 September 2025 |
TEACHING STAFF
Linda Kochanski
Practice Area Leader: FDR and Mediation Programs and Director: Amadras Board
Latest
Family Dispute Resolution Practice Course Guide
Download the Family Dispute Resolution Practice (FDRP) Course Guide to learn how our program can equip you with the skills to facilitate peaceful resolutions and empower families in times of conflict.
Download the Family Dispute Resolution Practice (FDRP) Course Guide to learn how our program can equip you with the skills to facilitate peaceful resolutions and empower families in times of conflict.
Your Guide to a Career in Family Dispute Resolution Practice
Download your guide to a career in family dispute resolution practice for everything you need to know about FDR in a nutshell, the personal strengths of a FDR Practitioner, the core expertise of a FDRP, related areas of expertise, and career prospects in FDR.
Download your guide to a career in family dispute resolution practice for everything you need to know about FDR in a nutshell, the personal strengths of a FDR Practitioner, the core expertise of a FDRP, related areas of expertise, and career prospects in FDR.
Mediation or FDRP: Which path is right for you?
Considering a career in dispute resolution? You’re onto something. Helping people find resolutions to their problems – strategically and cost-effectively – is stimulating and rewarding work. But how do you get into the field?
There are several different pathways available to you, each requiring specific training and experience. Here, we’ll take a closer look at the two different specialisms.
Considering a career in dispute resolution? You’re onto something. Helping people find resolutions to their problems – strategically and cost-effectively – is stimulating and rewarding work. But how do you get into the field?
There are several different pathways available to you, each requiring specific training and experience. Here, we’ll take a closer look at the two different specialisms.
How Josephine Byrnes-Luna became the best graduating student of Family Dispute Resolution Practice
Meet Josephine Byrnes-Luna, a counsellor, mediator, and family dispute resolution practitioner (FDRP), and recently named Best Graduating Student – FDRP.
Meet Josephine Byrnes-Luna, a counsellor, mediator, and family dispute resolution practitioner (FDRP), and recently named Best Graduating Student – FDRP.
Major changes to the Family Law Act passed in October 2023
Significant reforms to Family Law have just passed parliament on 19 October 2023.The Family Law Act (1975) is impacted by these Bills - the Family Law Amendment Bill and Family Law (Information Sharing) Bill. We spoke to Family Lawyer and College of Law Adjunct Lecturer Kathryn Kearley about what these reforms involve and what lawyers need to know.
Significant reforms to Family Law have just passed parliament on 19 October 2023.The Family Law Act (1975) is impacted by these Bills - the Family Law Amendment Bill and Family Law (Information Sharing) Bill. We spoke to Family Lawyer and College of Law Adjunct Lecturer Kathryn Kearley about what these reforms involve and what lawyers need to know.
Major changes ahead with the Family Law Amendment Bill 2023 in progress
Major changes are coming that will impact the family law system and the way practitioners operate in Australia. The Family Law Amendment Bill 2023 is currently under debate in parliament and after its third reading, it is now under review with the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee. The College of Law will provide legal training support when the Family Law Amendment Bill commences, but in the meantime, we spoke with College of Law adjunct lecturer Kathryn Kearley to find out about the most important changes.
Major changes are coming that will impact the family law system and the way practitioners operate in Australia. The Family Law Amendment Bill 2023 is currently under debate in parliament and after its third reading, it is now under review with the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee. The College of Law will provide legal training support when the Family Law Amendment Bill commences, but in the meantime, we spoke with College of Law adjunct lecturer Kathryn Kearley to find out about the most important changes.
From goat farming to family law: How Lauren Battersby found her niche
We spoke with Lauren about her journey to legal specialisation. And how the College of Law was instrumental in getting her there.
We spoke with Lauren about her journey to legal specialisation. And how the College of Law was instrumental in getting her there.
Meet Jess Grumelart, who studied an LLM to help her upskill and find connections in family law
Learn how Jess Grumelart forged a career in family law through a chance encounter at a careers fair - and an LLM in Applied Law (Family Law). We spoke to Jess about her road to family law, how her LLM helped her connect to a community of supportive family lawyers, and what advice she might have for lawyers wondering to align their legal career with their interests and passions.
Learn how Jess Grumelart forged a career in family law through a chance encounter at a careers fair - and an LLM in Applied Law (Family Law). We spoke to Jess about her road to family law, how her LLM helped her connect to a community of supportive family lawyers, and what advice she might have for lawyers wondering to align their legal career with their interests and passions.
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HAVE QUESTIONS OR READY TO ENROL?
Book a call back with one of our Customer and Student Engagement Advisors
My studies with the College provided me further insight into where family law is now looking to give some children a voice, particularly regarding parenting plans.
Josephine Byrnes-Luna, FDRP Graduate
Family law can be very litigious, but it doesn't have to be. So my practice in learning more about dispute resolution areas and how to manage dispute resolution and conflict resolution was valuable.
Emma Youdale, LLM Graduate - FDRP
