AMINZ Fellowship Programme
Achieve Excellence with the Institute's Highest Distinction
The AMINZ Fellowship is a recognised mark of excellence and leadership in dispute resolution. The Fellowship Guide provides practical information, tips, and insights to help you prepare and feel confident throughout the process.
The programme alternates each year between a Mediation or Arbitration focus, outlining what to expect and how to get started.
Achieving Fellowship involves a rigorous assessment of both academic understanding and practical skills.
Why Undertake Fellowship?
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Comprehensive Study
The programme offers a dedicated and comprehensive study of concepts and practice in mediation or arbitration. Fellows can be confident they hold advanced knowledge and expertise in their chosen field.
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Recognised Excellence
Given the rigour of the programme, Fellows gain significant recognition of their skills and expertise. Gaining Fellowship gives the public confidence that Fellows are competent to act as an arbitrator or mediator at the highest level.
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International Recognition
AMINZ Fellows have a reciprocal right of Fellowship with the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (UK), opening the opportunity of international credentialing
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Prestigious Post-Nominals
Fellowship unlocks the privilege of using the distinguished post-nominals, FAMINZ(Med) or FAMINZ(Arb). It's a mark of excellence that sets you apart.
Fellowship Arbitration Dates and Fees for 2026
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Advanced Seminar
Thursday 26 March | Hybrid
Led by senior Institute members, this event rejuvenates and enriches your knowledge, making it a crucial step in your path to success.
Attendance at the Advanced Seminar is compulsory, unless you’ve completed an Arbitration or Mediation Skills Intensive within the past two years.
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Preparation Seminar
Thursday 23 April | Online | 7 pm
This compulsory session outlines the examination format and scoring criteria and provides an opportunity to connect with others to form study groups.
You’ll receive the information and guidance needed to prepare for the Fellowship process.
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Written Examinations
Thursday 2 July | Online
You’ll complete two comprehensive two-hour written examinations, both held remotely on the same day.
Successful completion of these exams is required before progressing to the practical assessment.
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Practical Examinations
Thursday 15 October | In person
The Fellowship Practical Examinations are a rigorous assessment designed to test your competence and professionalism as a mediator or arbitrator through realistic scenarios, including role plays and self-reflection exercises.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Fellowship by Examination
The 2026 Arbitration Fellowship Programme is now underway.
Applications and dates for the 2027 Mediation Fellowship Programme will be announced in November 2026.
The next Arbitration Fellowship Programme will be offered in 2028.
Fellowship by Reciprocity
If you hold Fellowship with a recognised organisation, you may be eligible for reciprocal recognition with AMINZ.
Examination Process and Guidelines
The Fellowship pathway involves a series of clearly defined steps and requirements, each designed to assess your knowledge, skills, and professional judgment.
Candidates must be Associate Members of AMINZ.
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The AMINZ By-Laws establish the regulations and guidelines that govern our Fellowship Programme. They are the foundation of our commitment to excellence, transparency, and accountability.
Relevant By-Laws
6. Classification of Membership
6.E Fellow Members
11. Examinations
Examinations for Fellowship 11.6 -11.20
Relevant Schedules
Schedule 1 (A) - Education Syllabus for Fellowship
Schedule 2 - Examination Regulations Fellowship
Schedule 3 - Waiver Guidelines
Schedule 5 - Code of Ethics
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The Fellowship Interview is your first step towards earning the distinguished title of Fellow. Conducted by two experienced Fellowship admission assessors, this interview assesses your readiness for the programme.
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The Advanced Seminar refreshes and updates you and your knowledge (in either mediation or arbitration dependant on what Fellowship Programme is occurring in a given year).
The seminar is led by a senior members of the Institute. It is also a great opportunity for those practitioners wanting to build their knowledge of mediation or arbitration.You do not have to be sitting Fellowship to undertake the seminar, but you can decide to progress to the Fellowship programme after having participated in the seminar. Attendance at the Advanced Seminar qualifies you for 4 points towards AMINZ CPD compliance and provides CPD towards other programmes. CPD certificates will be issued.
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The Fellowship Preparation Seminar is compulsory for candidates sitting the Fellowship Programme.
The two-hour session guides you through the preparation for examinations and the scoring criteria. It is also an opportunity to establish study groups and obtain mentors.
The seminar is led by the Director of Professional Studies.
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You'll complete two comprehensive examinations, each lasting two hours, evaluating your theoretical and practical knowledge.
Both written tests are conducted on the same day.
Successfully passing these examinations is a prerequisite for the subsequent practical assessment, which is scheduled a few months after the written tests.
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The Practical Examinations are designed to evaluate your competency and professionalism as a mediator or arbitrator through real-world scenarios, encompassing role plays and self-reflection exercises.
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The names of all candidates who have achieved success in the written examinations and the practical assessment are submitted to Council for approval as new Fellows of the Institute.
Fellowship FAQs
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To undertake the Fellowship Programme, candidates must be current Associate Members of AMINZ.
Applicants must demonstrate that they:
Are a fit and proper person; and
By virtue of their training, experience, and personal qualities, show competence to act as an arbitrator or mediator (depending on the pathway) at the date of admission.
Before sitting the Fellowship exams, candidates must attend two mandatory seminars:
An Advanced Seminar.
A Fellowship Preparation Seminar.
Attendance at both seminars is compulsory unless exempt. Candidates who have attended an Arbitration Skills Intensive or Mediation Skills Intensive within two years prior to their exam may be exempt from the Advanced Seminar.
Also note that the programme alternates each year between a focus on Arbitration and Mediation.
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The pathway to Fellowship involves several key steps with associated fees:
Application Fee: $200.
Preparation Seminar: $150.
Two Written Papers: $575 each.
Practical Exam: $1,600.
Total cost: Approximately $3,100 (including GST), depending on Advanced Seminar fees and any exemptions.
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Yes, unless you are exempt. The seminar costs between $540 and $600 (including GST). Candidates who have attended an Arbitration Skills Intensive or Mediation Skills Intensive within two years prior to their exam may be exempt from this requirement. The Advanced Seminar is designed to fully prepare candidates for the Fellowship examinations.
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Once you submit your application for Fellowship, two admissions assessors will interview you to assess your readiness for the programme. If you pass the interview stage, you will be invited to undertake the Fellowship programme.
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For further details or to express your interest in the Fellowship programme, please contact us.
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If you do not pass any section of the Written Examination or Practical Examinations, according to the AMINZ By-Laws, you have the option to request consideration from the AMINZ Council.
If you've previously attempted Fellowship and didn't pass a component of the examinations within the last three years, you are eligible to re-sit only the failed component. Upon successfully passing that component, you can proceed to apply for acceptance as a Fellow of the Institute by the AMINZ Council.
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If you hold Fellowship with a recognised organisation, you may be eligible for reciprocal recognition with AMINZ.
For more information or to apply, please contact us.