The Training Ground

The Training Ground has been providing specialist FDR training for 24 years. Since the introduction of the Mediation and Arbitration Act (1991), Relationships Australia Victoria (RAV) has trained over 1100 people in the required 5 day FDR training program and provided placements to over 150 graduates. In response to the expansion of the FDR sector, the organisation decided in 2006 to develop and deliver a 100 hour specialist FDR course exceeding the requirements of the Family Law regulations. From inception, this course has been continuously over subscribed resulting in over 140 graduates and 60 internships.

In 2007, The Training Ground became an RTO and is scoped to deliver the full Vocational Graduate Diploma in Family Dispute Resolution and Certificate IV in Community Mediation. It has been providing a specialist training program in relationship counselling since the early 1980’s. The course, now known as The Specialist Course in Couple Therapy, has strong links with Victorian Universities. The course is an accredited component of the Masters in Couple & Relationship Counselling (La Trobe University), the Masters in Counselling and Human Services (La Trobe University), and Master of Social Work Clinical Degree (University of Melbourne). The Australian Association of Relationship Counsellors (AARC) currently recognises the course and internship program as contributing towards its Clinical Membership requirements.