Initial Assessment and Referral Decision Support Tool (IAR-DST) Training
WNSW PHN is offering online training to help GPs and clinicians effectively implement the IAR-DST in your practice. This training will provide you with all the information you need to use the tool in a way that suits your practice.
This training is accredited with RACGP and ACRRM.
What is IAR?
The IAR-DST provides support to clinicians regarding how to respond to people when they first ask for mental health support in primary care settings. By using a standardised, evidence-based approach to categorise mental health levels, patients can be connected to the most appropriate local care.
Why use the tool?
- The tool will be used by all Commonwealth-funded mental health services and promotes a shared language surrounding treatment needs, and supports clinicians choice of referral for mental health consumers.
- Identify and communicate the essential information from your mental health assessment that is critical for referral and decision-making.
- Redefines the stepped-care approach to mental health care by recommending a level of care based on the least intensive intervention that will likely lead to the most possible gain for mental health consumers.
- Estimates or confirms mental health treatment needs within five defined levels of care while encouraging consumer-supported choice and decision-making.
Learning outcomes
- Discuss the principles underpinning the national approach to stepped care.
- Summarise the IAR development process.
- Explain the use of IAR Guidance in practice settings to generate a recommended level of care.
- List the levels of care in relation to available regional services.
- Identify the principles related to clinical decision making and consumer choice.
You can find out more about IAR-DST here.
Get in touch
For more information or support related to IAR-DST, please reach out to our team at iar.dst@wnswphn.org.au.
Upcoming events
26 February 2026, 12:30pm