PACFA Member Associations Overview

There are 37 PACFA Member Associations (MAs) incorporating a wide range of modalities within the fields of counselling and psychotherapy; in fact this broad range along the continuum is part of what gives PACFA its strength and credibility. PACFA has been able to unite professionals from this wide range and give them a voice and presence.

The PACFA Member associations have all been audited by the PACFA Executive Committee and have met the minimum requirements in three different and distinct areas:

1. Structure
2. Ethics
3. Training

Joining PACFA as a Member Association
Thank you for your interest in joining PACFA (Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia).

PACFA was established in 1998 as an umbrella for diverse associations concerned with standards and representation in counselling and psychotherapy in Australia.

Four years of discussion had lead to consensus on baselines for training and ethics, and the standards appropriate for a register of individual practitioners. Individuals who support PACFA’s objectives and who wish to enjoy the benefits of national representation are invited to become members of Professional Associations that are themselves members of PACFA.

In order for an Association to become a member of PACFA, its application will be audited in three sections, considering structure, ethics, and training standards. The following are required by PACFA:

Structure
The Association must:

  • be incorporated
  • be democratic, with elected office bearers
  • have aims and objectives which support the profession of counselling and psychotherapy
  • be not for profit
  • be non-discriminatory, open to all with appropriate training and not limited to graduates of any particular training program
  • have a name and publicity which appropriately describes the Association
  • have experienced at least 3 Annual General Meetings
  • be viable in size, normally with at least 20 members.*
  • have the support of two Associations which are currently PACFA members.

*Note that this size is a guide. A special case can be made on a regional or highly specialised basis for the existence of a separate smaller Association. In this, PACFA hopes to balance its ‘commitment to respecting diversity in the profession ' with its desire to avoid undue duplication and fragmentation.

The PACFA office will assist you with contact information for Member Associations. Approach two of your choosing, perhaps one for geographical convenience, or one which has a similar approach to therapy. These sponsors can support you through the application process and advocate on your behalf.

Ethics
Your Association needs to have a Code of Ethics which at least covers the issues raised in PACFA Ethical Guidelines. Feel free to use PACFA guidelines in your own Code if you find the wording helpful. Your Association must have its own process to deal with complaints, including complaints from the public, and an appeals process in the event that an outcome acceptable to all is not achieved. Be sure to include an outsider to your Association, and preferably to the counselling and psychotherapy profession, in the appeal process. This ensures justice is seen to be done. Frequently other health professionals, clergy or people with legal or managerial training fill such roles.

Training Standards
The standard of training and ongoing professional development you expect of your full members must at least meet PACFA’s minimum standards. These are outlined in detail in the PACFA training standards document. If the task seems daunting, the sponsoring Associations should be able to provide a model and support. The Chairs of the PACFA ethics and training standards are happy to assist and dialogue, as is the secretary. We ask for multiple copies to be submitted so that one can be retained in PACFA’s central office and the remainder to the auditing committees. It speeds up the process with committee members spread throughout the country to have multiple copies. Finally, if you have an electronic version of documents, that helps keep down the cost and speeds delivery.

Fees
The application fee for Associations is $500.00. PACFA Associations pay an annual membership fee of $687.50 for 20 or more members and $325.50 for less than 20 members. In addition, PACFA Associations pay a per capita fee of $150.00 per member who meets PACFA minimum Training Standards. Membership numbers are taken from June 30 each year. This refers to members in Australia only, for those Associations with international membership.

Applying for Membership
If your Association is interested in applying for membership to PACFA, please download the information below:

If you are satisfied that you are able to meet these requirements, and the criteria above, you can also download the member association application form below.

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