October & November 2026 Workshop Schedule
The IAR Guidance (IAR) and Decision Support Tool (IAR-DST) is designed to establish a national, standardised approach to conducting initial mental health assessments, and support general practitioners and other health professionals to recommend the most appropriate level of care for a person seeking mental health support.
The IAR and the IAR-DST are an Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Aging initiative bringing together information from various sources, including Australian and international evidence and advice from various leading experts.
There are two options to complete the training:
- Online live workshop
The first component of the workshop will focus on:
- An introduction to the IAR and the development of the National Guidance, including stepped care in Australia.
- Orientation to the domains, levels of care, and decision support tool.
The second component of the workshop is an interactive practical activity, which includes:
- Application of the IAR-DST based on a consumer scenario.
- Clinical judgement and supported decision-making.
Learning outcomes
1. Discuss the principles underpinning the national approach to stepped care.
2. Summarise the IAR development process.
3. Explain the use of IAR Guidance in practice settings to generate a recommended level of care.
4. List the levels of care in relation to available regional services
5. Identify the principles related to clinical decision making and consumer choice
This is an RACGP and ACRRM approved event and a certificate of attendance will be issued to self-report
your CPD hours as below.
The workshop will be facilitated by an experienced IAR Training and Support Officer (TSO) from the National
TSO Network.
The session teaches you how to use the IAR-DST, not how to conduct an assessment. The IAR-DST is not an assessment tool; it is a decision aid.
Once you have completed a session you are able to use all adaptations of the IAR-DST.
Please click on the links below to register. (Please do not register for more than one session as sessions and places are limited).
Tuesday 13th October 2026 -12:00pm-2:00pm
Wednesday 21st October 2026 -11:00am – 1:00pm
Wednesday 4 November 2026 – 11:00am-1:00pm
Tuesday 24 November 2026 – 12:00pm – 2:00pm
2. e-Learning Module
A self-paced eLearning module has been designed for health professionals who are suitably qualified and
experienced in mental health assessment and/or treatment. This flexible online format enables health
professionals and intake interviewers/care navigators, including non-clinical staff, to complete training at a
time and place that suits their operational needs. For more information on this format, please refer to this
video.
This is an RACGP and ACRRM approved event, and a certificate of attendance will be issued to self-report
hours as below.
For more information about either training option, contact: iar@wentwest.com.au
Please see flyer for more details
