An Honest, Ethical and Conscientious Review

The main purpose of the review was to:

1. Evaluate the effectiveness of the NMAS; and
2. Consider what changes and additions need to be made to it.

For example, changes and additions may include (subject to the feedback received):

• Consideration of the inclusion of conciliation or other DR processes into the NMAS; and 
• Provisions that take account of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mediator needs and requirements.

The NMAS Review utilised a well-established methodology that incorporated thorough consultation and culminated in a series of recommendations. The MSB is currently considering these recommendations and anticipate releasing the revised NMAS later in 2023.

The consultation component of the review included carefully designed surveys and workshops that targeted specific parts of the DR community at different points in the review process. 

Stakeholders involved in the consultation component included, but were not limited to:

• MSB Member organisations: including Recognised Mediator Accreditation Bodies (RMABs) and training organisations
• mediators, both accredited and formerly accredited
• community groups and professional associations
• other experts in the field 

Over the life of the NMAS Review, we advised the dispute resolution community about opportunities to contribute. This was predominantly done via email, announcements on this website and LinkedIn.

If you have not yet connected with Resolution Resources on LinkedIn we invite you to do so here.

You might also consider contacting your local RMAB, NMAS training organisation or other professional dispute resolution peak organisation to find out more about how they contributed to the review. 

Thank you to everyone who was involved in this important process. 

No, we did not take written submissions. 

The methodology for the review was collaborative and interactive. During the reference group and workshop phases, representatives were invited to engage in open professional dialogue and problem solving to collectively consider potential changes and additions to the NMAS.

Apart from the examples for consideration noted in the purpose, there were no pre-existing areas identified for consideration. That was the work of the representatives in the reference groups, and to a lesser extent the workshops, and formed the basis of the NMAS Review Survey.

Every stakeholder had an opportunity to provide their input via the main NMAS Review Survey.

This website was specifically curated to provide information about the NMAS Review. It includes materials from workshops and reports coming out of the review. Subscribe below to receive updates in your inbox.

Please direct queries or complaints about the conduct of the NMAS Review 2020-22 to the NMAS Review Team