17 April 2024
The PACFA registration and membership team is working hard behind the scenes to prepare for the 2024/25 renewals. Every year we aim to improve the experience of our members through streamlining data collection and assessment, as well as investing in new services and technology.
In 2024, PACFA has recruited staff to support an enhanced College structure, recognising the need for certification of advanced training and expertise. This framework was first discussed with members at Council in 2021.
PACFA’s decision to join Allied Health Professions Australia (link) recognises counselling skills and expertise as the foundation for PACFA’s registration. Following this, the College of Counselling was made a foundational College for all members, as other colleges required the completion of additional training. This means that all PACFA registrants can be identified as either ‘Certified Practising’ or ‘Registered Clinical Counsellors.’ Other certifications such as ‘Registered Clinical Psychotherapist’ are obtained in addition to this registration.
PACFA expects all registrants to utilise the digital badge that best aligns with their training and professional identity.
As part of this ongoing work, PACFA recently updated our database and revised historic member records as necessary. This means some members may have been issued new badges. Please be assured these badges reflect your pre-existing status and do not change your registration.
You are not mandated to display a badge you are not comfortable with. However, please note that until a Scope of Practice for each specialisation is developed, all clinical practice is based on the Scope of Practice for Counsellors published in 2018, similarly the Code of Ethics and grievance and concern process.
PACFA aims to support a range of advanced certifications through our colleges, ensuring that appropriately trained members across the membership can be recognised as Registered Clinical Psychotherapists, Certified Relationship Counsellors, Certified Indigenous Healing Practitioners, Certified Creative and Experiential Therapists. Establishing and refining these frameworks is a key priority for the 2024 – 2027 strategic operational plan, and a focus for future advocacy for the profession.
For further discussion of this process of quality assurance and continuous improvement please contact [email protected] to set up a time to discuss with the CEO.