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Mediation and Conflict Management Training Courses

Conflict management skills

The Dispute Settlement Centre Victoria (DSCV) offers courses designed for people dealing with conflict in situations such as customer service delivery and staff management. These courses do not lead to accreditation as a mediator, but they do explain communication techniques and conflict resolution strategies to help you avoid or minimise conflict.

They are tailored to meet your specific needs and are run on demand. The cost is based on the number of participants, their specific requirements, the duration of the course and the location and resources required.

Mediation training - six day course

The DSCV is a Registered Training Organisation (RTO), registered through the Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority (VRQA) to deliver a number of units within the Certificate IV in Community Mediation (CHC41302). This Certificate is recognised as part of the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF), the overall regulator for training at Vocational Education and Training (VET)  level.

Six units from the Certificate IV in Community Mediation training package are delivered over a six day period. The DSCV uses qualified staff to deliver the training, and the course is highly interactive, with a combination of lectures, discussion groups, role plays, feedback sessions and group activities. Participants need to attend all six days.

Mediation training for employment with the DSCV

DSCV conducts training courses for people to be employed as mediators with the DSCV. These courses are run only when there is a need for more mediators, and advertisements are usually placed calling for expressions of interest. There is no requirement for particular qualifications or experience. The training completed is the six units from the Certificate IV in Community Mediation and are delivered over a six day period.

People are selected on a range of criteria, including their personal qualities, location, experience, employment background, cultural background, age, gender and availability. The training is similar to the course open to the public.

Upon successful completion of the course and assessment by a DSCV management panel, mediators are gazetted pursuant to section 21 of the Evidence Act 1958, and placed on DSCV mediator panel. DSCV provides specialist, ongoing training to maintain mediators' skills and enhance their experience. Mediators are paid on a sessional basis.

Training for Koori Communities and Organisations

The DSCV provides mediation training as part of the Certificate IV in Community Mediation (as outlined above), and Conflict Management training. Training can be tailored to meet the specific needs of Koori communities and organisations. For more information on training for Koori communities and organisations please contact the DSCV Aboriginal Project Officer. 

External training courses

Various organisations in Victoria, interstate and overseas offer mediation courses. These vary in duration, content, cost, location and outcome. You should conduct your own research into these courses in order to make an informed choice.

Who does this apply to?	Victorian public.
Who provides this service?	Dispute Settlement Centre of Victoria
Who is eligible?	There are no prerequisites, but a degree of English proficiency, literacy and numeracy is assumed. However, if you have any special needs, contact the DSCV Training Officer to discuss our Access and Equity Policy, and see how your needs can be accommodated.
What are the costs, if any?	Mediation training: DSCV run Fee-For-Service training courses for people interested in gaining mediation skills for their own personal or professional development. The courses cost $2,100 per person (GST exempt) with a minimum of eight participants and a maximum of 20. Staff are trained in six units from the Certificate IV in Community Mediation which is delivered over a six day period Conflict Management Skills: The cost is based on the number of participants, their specific requirements, the duration of the course and the location and resources required.
What are the key dates or times?	June 2009 - Thursday 4 / Friday 5 Thursday 11 / Friday 12 Thursday 18 / Friday 19 August 2009 - Thursday 13 / Friday 14 Thursday 20 / Friday 21 Thursday 27 / Friday 28 November 2009 - Thursday 12 / Friday 13 Thursday 19 / Friday 20 Thursday 26 / Friday 27