PACFA Code of Ethics and Complaints

PACFA Code of Ethics
The Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia is a unique organisation in Australia. It is the one organisation that seeks to unite a diverse group of Member Associations (MAs) under its umbrella. These MAs have in common:
• their contribution to the art and science of Counselling and Psychotherapy, through their members delivering these services directly, and
• their contribution to the development and furtherance of professional practice via supervision, training, research and other related clinical practice.
The PACFA Code of Ethics sets out the ethical framework for the clinical and management governance of Member Associations and for the professional practice of PACFA registrants. In so doing it also covers the ethical governance, practices and requirements of PACFA itself and its officers. It unifies and replaces all the earlier Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia’s (PACFA) codes for Member Associations, counsellors, psychotherapists, trainers and supervisors. It is also applicable to Counselling research, the use of Counselling skills and the management of these services within organisations. It is intended to inform the practice of each Registrant and Member Association of the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA). It is expected that Member Associations have ethical codes/guidelines of their own, and that these embrace the principles and procedures of the PACFA document.

Making a Complaint
PACFA can only hear complaints against therapists who are listed on the PACFA National Register. Should you have reason to make a complaint, in the first instance PACFA recommends that you contact the PACFA Member Association to which practitioner belongs. If for some reason this is not possible, then PACFA will consider the complaint. Please check that the practitioner you are complaining about is listed on the National Register, and ensure that you have contacted their Member Association before proceeding with your complaint.
Please download the PACFA Code of Ethics. This document provides information about the role of the PACFA Ethics Committee and Professional Conduct Panel, possible causes for complaints, who can make a complaint, and the steps that need to be taken.
If you wish to make a complaint against a therapist who is not listed on the National Register, please contact the Health Complaints Commission in your state. Details are provided below.

Health Care Complaints Commissions

Australian Capital Territory
Ph: (02) 6205 2222
Email: health.complaints@act.gov.au

New South Wales
Level 13, 323 Castlereagh Street (corner of Hay St) Sydney NSW 2000
Ph: (02) 9219 7444
Toll Free in NSW 1800 043 159
TTY service for the hearing impaired: (02) 9219 7555
Email: hccc@hccc.nsw.gov.au

Northern Territory
PO Box 1344 Darwin, NT 0801
Ph: (08) 8999 1969
Toll Free: 1800 806 380

Queensland
GPO Box 3089 Brisbane, QLD 4001
Ph: (07) 3234 0272
Qld Toll Free: 1800 077 308 (excl. Bne metro)
Fax: (07) 3234 0333
TTY Deaflink: (07) 3225 2559

South Australia
PO Box 199
Rundle Mall SA 5000
Ph: (08) 8226 8666
Toll free: 1800 232 007
Email: info@hcscc.sa.gov.au
Web: www.hcscc.sa.gov.au

Victoria
Level 30, 570 Bourke St Melbourne, Vic, 3000
Ph: (03) 8601 5222
Toll free: 1800 136 066

Western Australia
GPO Box B61 Perth WA 6838
Ph: (08) 9323 0600
Toll Free: 1800 813 583
Email: eamon.ryan@health.wa.gov.au

Tasmania
GPO Box 960, Hobart 7001
Ph. 1800 001 170 (Free call)
Web: www.healthcomplaints.tas.gov.au

For more help/information, please contact Caroline Lindsay at the PACFA office on (03) 9486 3077 or email admin@pacfa.org.au

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