Mediation & FDR Careers

What work opportunities are there as a mediator?

There is increasing use of mediation and other forms of ADR in Australia. People undertaking mediation training vary to the extent that they find opportunities as a mediator. Some may find salaried roles within government or not for profit agencies.

As with many areas of study, it is very dependent on the individual – on their expectations, skills, flexibility, entrepreneurship and opportunities. (information adapted from www.msb.org.au)

FDR participation is a mandatory requirement for people going through separation and divorce if there are Children’s matters to be resolved. Family Relationship Centres, State Legal Aid Centres and publicly funded providers at times have high demands with interested parties waiting weeks or months to even begin the intake process.

Mediators come from various professional backgrounds.

Some individuals pursue mediation as a full-time career whilst others see a career in mediation as a viable option to supplement their current vocation or as a part-time profession post retirement.

Others use their professional networks to build private mediation consultancy businesses, which may include offering other related professional services.

Others pursue further academic studies and careers, or use their mediation skills in roles such as working in human resources.

The Mediator Training Academy’s accredited programs will equip you with the specialist skills needed to effectively manage and resolve conflict in a professional capacity.

Such a skillset is highly valued across a range of disciplines ranging from workplace, family, community, law, business and politics to industrial relations, international trade and human resources. With a further study of six compulsory FDR units, one can also become a Family Dispute Resolution practitioner.

Due to the complex nature of interpersonal, legal, community and organisational relationships, the need for mediation training and conflict resolution skills can arise in any field and benefit professionals in a variety of settings, including:

  • Legal Disputes
  • Commercial Mediation
  • Boards of Directors / Partnership Disputes
  • Family Dispute Resolution
  • Workplace Dispute Resolution & Conflict Management
  • Community Development
  • Family Therapy
  • Public Service
  • Human Resources
  • Law Enforcement
  • Faith-Based Organisations
  • Education, Student Affairs And Higher Education
  • Crisis Management
  • Natural Resources
  • Hospitals And Healthcare

Occupational titles for Family Dispute Resolution Practitioners may include:

  • Aboriginal Family Consultant
  • Family And Couples Mediator
  • ADR Practitioner
  • Family Law Mediator
  • Barrister Mediator
  • Family Relationships Mediator
  • Dispute Resolution Facilitator
  • Indigenous Family Facilitator
  • Family and Child Mediator
  • Manager of an ADR Service

However remember, that if you want to enter dispute resolution, and it is a distinct profession from your current day job, it will require a major investment and time commitment. And, as with everything in life, there are no guarantees.

MEDIATION

MEDIATION, often used for workplace conflict resolution, is increasingly popular as being able to de-escalate workplace situations and manage change with minimal fuss saves employers significant money.

IBIS World’s 2015 Alternative Dispute Resolution Services in Australia: Market Research Report finds the industry has grown strongly in the past five years.

It has become increasingly popular since the mid-1990s when governments and businesses realised the benefits of settling disputes outside of the courts.

“The rising cost of litigation and the rising incidence of industrial action have contributed to the growing use of industry services,” the report reveals. “Industry profitability has grown steadily over the period and the number of enterprises and establishments operating in the industry has followed suit.” Industry revenue was forecast to grow by 5.7 per cent in 2014-15 to reach $1.5 billion.

Australian Mediation Association chief executive Callum Campbell says the most common applications for mediation in the workplace are bullying and harassment, return-to-work issues and procedures, differing working and leadership styles, allegations of discrimination, and role clarification.

“If there is group conflict, we can enhance the way they communicate with each other,” he says. “You can use it all the way up to board level.”

6271 Australians work in the Alternative Dispute Resolution industry

Campbell says mediators can work in a broad range of roles from in-house human resources to family law. They must have strong communication skills including the ability to actively listen, question and clarify, summarise, identify emotions, reframe issues and empathise.

“It’s important for mediators not to take sides, to be neutral and not to pass judgment or be judgmental,” he says.

People with a background in social sciences or counselling often move into mediation and resolution conflict. Mediators can become accredited through trainers such as AMA’s Mediator Training Academy.

It runs four-week online courses and six-day face-to-face courses throughout the year as well as webinars for continuing development.

It’s important for mediators not to take sides, to be neutral and not to pass judgment.