IAR-DST

The IAR-DST brings together information from a variety of sources including Australian and international evidence and advice from a range of leading experts. It is a decision support tool to guide referral decisions, promote shared decision-making and consumer choice.

The IAR-DST is designed to be used alongside a comprehensive mental health assessment and aims to:

• simplify how clinicians determine the care needs of a patient with mental health concerns
• prevent patients being overburdened with services they may not need or can cope with, or under-serviced with recommendations that may not meet their needs improve transparency on decisions made relating to referrals
• create consistency and a common language amongst health professionals, enabling them to articulate treatment needs that will be understood across the sector.

The tool collects data across four primary domains and four contextual domains (8 domains total), and will provide a recommend Level of Care (LoC) after all domains have been rated.

Further detail on the eight domains and five levels of care can be found in the IAR documentation under “IAR Resources”.

The IAR-DST is NOT:

• an assessment tool
• diagnostic
• prognostic
• a replacement for clinical judgement

GPs, GP registrars, practice nurses, mental health nurses, allied health professionals and anyone else working in the mental health space can complete IAR-DST training.

There are currently 2 options to complete the training:

1. Online live workshop (2 hours)

The first component of the workshop will focus on:

• An introduction to the IAR and the development of the suite of guidance documentation, including stepped care in Australia.
• Orientation to the domains, level of care, and decision support tool.

The second component of the workshop is an interactive practical activity, which includes:

• Application of the IAR-DST using a consumer scenario.
• Clinical judgement and supported decision-making.

Certificates of attendance provided to all attendees to claim relevant CPD hours.

Upcoming workshop dates are below, click the date of your choice to be taken to the registration page.

March

Wednesday 4th March 2026 10.00am – 12.00pm AEDT

Friday 20th March 2026 10.00am – 12.00pm AEDT

April

Wednesday 1st April 2026 10.00am – 12.00pm AEDT

Tuesday 28th April 2026 12.00pm – 2.00pm AEST

2. e-Learning module

A self-paced e-Learning Module has been designed for health professionals who are suitably qualified and experienced in mental health assessment and/or treatment. This provides flexibility for health professionals to complete training at a time and place that suits their needs. More information on this format can be found in this video.

Please contact the IAR-DST team if you have any questions about the training available.

• Department of Health IAR Decision Support Tool
• IAR National Guidance v2.0
• IAR Summary Levels of Care v2.0
• IAR Quick Reference Guide
• IAR Adult Domains
• IAR Adult Training Scenario – William
• IAR Adult Training Scenario – Jessica
• IAR Older Adult Domains
• IAR Older Adult Training Scenario – Ray
• IAR Adolescent Domains
• IAR Adolescent Training Scenario – Brandon
• IAR Adolescent Training Scenario – Lucy
• IAR Child Domains
• IAR Child Training Scenario – Crystal
• IAR Child Training Scenario – Charlie
• IAR Training Zoom Instructions