17 April 2024
The Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA) recently submitted its annual report to the National Alliance of Self Regulating Health Professions (NASRHP), marking a significant step towards achieving full membership with the organisation.
This report plays a dual role. It fulfils PACFA's obligations as a qualifying member of NASRHP, while also demonstrating the organisation's commitment to transitioning to full membership by the end of the year.
The annual report details PACFA's efforts over the past year to meet the rigorous standards set by NASRHP for self-regulated health professions. This includes outlining changes within the organisation, the establishment of working groups, and the implementation of procedures that demonstrate PACFA's commitment to high professional standards.
"Submitting this report is a crucial step in PACFA's journey towards full membership with NASRHP," said a PACFA spokesperson. "Full membership signifies our dedication to self-regulation and upholding the highest standards for counsellors and psychotherapists in Australia."
The report itself delves into several key areas relevant to self-regulation, including:
- Scope of Practice: Clearly defined practice boundaries for registered counsellors as per PACFA’s current Scope of Practice for registered counsellors, which will be reviewed in due course
- Code of Ethics, Practice, and Professional Conduct: A comprehensive code outlining ethical and professional expectations for members demonstrated by PACFA’s Code of ethics and Professional conduct procedures
- PACFA’s Complaints Procedure: A well-defined process for addressing complaints against registered counsellors as per PACFA’s Professional conduct procedures
- Standards of competency: Established benchmarks for the skills and knowledge expected of professionals demonstrated by PACFA’s professional competencies web page
- Course accreditation: this is currently under review and development
- CPD: Requirements for ongoing learning and development to maintain registration as per the Associated registration standard (ARS) for CPD
- English language requirements: as per an English language proficiency draft standard soon to be presented to the Board
- Mandatory declarations: in place as per mandatory declarations made at the time of applying for registration and membership, when paying for registration and membership upon approval of their application, and upon registration and membership renewal annually.
- Professional indemnity insurance: Mandatory insurance coverage for members to protect clients; requirements are set out within the PACFA ARS for professional indemnity and public liability insurance cover for PACFA registrants and for those applying for PACFA registration
- Practitioner certification requirements: these are demonstrated by PACFA’s registration standards, associated registration standards, associated registration policies
- Recency and resumption of practice requirements: these are demonstrated by PACFA’s Leave of absence policy
Full membership with NASRHP will solidify PACFA's position within the broader healthcare landscape. This prestigious status is currently held by organisations like Dietitians Australia and Audiology Australia, demonstrating the high standards for membership. Qualifying membership, which PACFA currently holds, is also shared with organisations like the Australian Association of Social Workers.
This move towards full membership follows PACFA's successful application in 2022 to become a member of the Allied Health Professions Australia (AHPA).
PACFA remains committed to achieving full membership with NASRHP within the next two years. This process will involve publishing a range of resources to guide both counsellors and the public on registration and professional practice.
NASRHP aims to provide regulatory quality assurance for self-regulatory health professions. Members must meet a national framework of regulatory standards.
Read more about NASRHP.