16 April 2024
PACFA is pleased to announce that meetings have commenced in relation to the establishment of national standards for counsellors and psychotherapists. PACFA CEO, Johanna de Wever, met with representatives from the Australian Department of Health and Aged Care (DoHAC)’s contracted consulting firm on Wednesday 10 April for a stakeholder mapping session, to discuss the establishment of these crucial standards. She also continues to have regular meetings with representatives of the Department across a range of key projects and priorities.
"These meetings represent key steps forward in achieving national standards for counsellors and psychotherapists," said Ms. de Wever. "PACFA is committed to working collaboratively with the Department of Health to ensure these standards are comprehensive, effective, and reflect the high level of professionalism within our profession."
This news follows the advice received on Monday 18 March the advice that the DoHAC now has a contract in place with a consulting firm who will be the supplier leading the project to develop national standards for counsellors and psychotherapists.
PACFA is optimistic about the outcome of these meetings and looks forward to continued collaboration with the Department of Health in developing a framework that benefits both counsellors, psychotherapists, and the public they serve.
PACFA is utilising the National Standards project to advocate for its registrants, and to ensure that Counsellors and Psychotherapists are registered comparable to other Allied Health Professionals – not as a less trained or less valuable workforce. The establishment of National Standards which address the entry level requirements for a Registered Counsellors are long overdue and will be critical in rebuilding sector confidence. This is essential to ensuring Counsellors, Psychotherapists and Indigenous Healing Practitioners are able to be play their key role in the broader mental health workforce, and provide important support for the community.
PACFA was the only counselling organisation which supported the proposal for National Standards when the Select Committee’s recommendations were announced in November 2021.
PACFA will provide further information as it is received to members via our website’s Latest News section, as well as our monthly eNewsletter and social media channels.
Read PACFA’s article welcoming the National Standards project, and a press release made at the time of the Federal Government’s announcement.