Join the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia
Be part of an industry-leading national organisation committed to furthering the counselling and psychotherapy profession.
Broaden your network, support high standards in your industry and deepen your knowledge by joining the PACFA community. PACFA members benefit from our high-level advocacy and the opportunities we open for members' professional recognition and employment. As a practising member you can access our competitively-priced professional indemnity and public liability insurance, peer networks, member discounts for continuing professional development and access to our jobs list/therapist directory. Membership for students of counselling or psychotherapy is free.
See the comprehensive list of member benefits.
Check whether the course you have completed is PACFA-accredited.
Applying with a qualification from overseas? Read more about the application process.
For ACA members: Find further information on which category your ACA membership translates to and how to apply.
PACFA membership categories
Clinical: PACFA’s highest level of membership, you completed your studies more than 2 years ago and have accrued a minimum of 750 hours of client contact and 75 hours of supervision since completing your studies. Apply for clinical membership.
Certified Practising (early career): This level is for practitioners who have finished their training within the past 2 years/have not accrued the minimum 750 hours of client contact and 75 hours of supervision to meet the standards for clinical membership. The majority of PACFA members apply at certified practising level, and later upgrade to clinical membership once they have accrued the client and supervision hours for clinical registration. Apply for Certified Practising membership.
Certified Practising (new graduate): Have you completed your studies within the last two years? This membership has the same benefits as our early career or practising category, and on the Find a Therapist directory you will be visible as 'Certified Practising'. However, new graduates benefit from a reduced fee (25% discount in first year of membership) to support you at the beginning of your career. Apply for Certified Practising new graduate membership.
Member association member: If you are a Certified Practising member of one of PACFA’s Member Associations, you can apply to PACFA to be listed on our register as either Certified Practising or clinical and receive PACFA member opportunities. Apply for member association membership.
Academic: An educator in the field of counselling and/or psychotherapy, you will be contributing to the field through research and education. Apply for academic membership.
Student: Student membership is free for all students completing a counselling and/or psychotherapy course. As a student member, you will be eligible for free insurance for your placement(s), our digital publications, and access to discounted professional development provided by our expert community of members. Apply for student membership.
See a list of our fees.
Processing times for Clinical, Certified Practising, and Academic member applications can take up to 5-6 weeks. Unfortunately, we cannot expedite applications.