How to Get Your Counselling Accreditation and Registration

Embarking on a counselling career in Australia offers a fulfilling opportunity to support people in navigating life’s challenges. While it’s not a legal requirement, gaining counselling accreditation in Australia can significantly enhance your standing within the counselling profession.

Reputable bodies like the Australian Counselling Association (ACA) and the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA) offer this accreditation. It can greatly improve your credibility, help you specialise in specific areas, and open up more full-time employment opportunities.

In Australia, counselling operates as a self-regulated profession. This means there is no legal requirement for counselling registration or licensing. However, completing an accredited counselling qualification and obtaining professional accreditation can provide a strong foundation for a long-term counselling career.

The ACA and PACFA uphold high standards for professional counselling and psychotherapy, ensuring adherence to ethical guidelines and encouraging further studies and ongoing professional development.

As part of these standards, psychotherapy training is crucial for Clinical and Provisional Registrants, requiring substantial person-to-person counselling and specific hours of psychotherapy training to ensure competency in mental health practice.

Becoming a qualified counsellor requires a combination of education, training, and experience. In Australia, the Australian Counselling Association (ACA) and the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA) are the two main professional bodies that accredit counselling courses and register qualified counsellors.

For ACA membership, there are two levels:

• Level 1 requires a Diploma
• Level 2 requires a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree.

On the other hand, PACFA membership requires a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree.

These courses, offered at universities and colleges, cover essential topics like counselling theories, skills, and practices, as well as ethics and professional development. This foundational education ensures you are well-prepared to enter the counselling profession.

In addition to formal education, many counsellors engage in ongoing professional development (OPD) courses and workshops to enhance their skills and knowledge. OPD is crucial for maintaining registration with the ACA and PACFA, helping counsellors stay up-to-date with the latest research and best practices in the field.

In Australia, the two primary professional organisations for registered counsellors are the Australian Counselling Association (ACA) and the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA). However, they serve different purposes and suit different career goals.

Graduation from an ACA-accredited course is necessary for registration and outlines ongoing professional development requirements specific to ACA accreditation.

Australian Counselling Association

As the largest counselling association in the country, ACA offers membership at various levels — from student to clinical. It is widely recognised across private practice, community services, and some government-funded programs. ACA is also often preferred by graduates of Diploma of Counselling programs seeking full-time or flexible employment.

ACA-accredited courses are recognised for their high standards and professional development opportunities.

Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia

This body tends to focus more on counsellors who have completed higher education qualifications, such as a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree. PACFA has strong recognition within mental health services, academic settings, and the psychotherapy field.

Psychotherapy training is crucial for PACFA recognition, ensuring that registrants have substantial person-to-person counselling experience. It is a good fit for those wanting to specialise in clinical roles or undertake further studies in counselling or psychology.

Ultimately, your choice between ACA and PACFA will depend on your career direction and qualification level. Many professionals opt for dual membership to broaden their career options and access the benefits of both networks.

Counsellors have the opportunity to specialise in various areas, such as mental health, relationships, trauma, or addiction.

Specialising in a particular area requires additional education, training, and experience. For instance, a counsellor who wants to focus on mental health may need to complete a postgraduate degree in mental health or a related field.

Specialising in counselling can also involve obtaining certifications or diplomas in specific areas, such as cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) or eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR). These certifications not only demonstrate a counsellor’s expertise but also their commitment to a particular area of practice.

By specialising, counsellors can provide more targeted and effective support to their clients, enhancing their counselling sessions and overall impact in the community services sector.

To maintain accreditation and registration with the ACA and PACFA, counsellors must engage in ongoing professional development (OPD) courses and workshops. OPD is essential for staying current with the latest research and best practices in the field, demonstrating a commitment to ongoing learning and professional growth.

In addition to OPD, counsellors must adhere to the ACA and PACFA codes of ethics and professional conduct. These codes outline the standards and principles that govern the counselling profession, ensuring that counsellors provide high-quality services to their clients.

Maintaining accreditation and registration also involves regular supervision and peer review.

Supervision involves: Working with a more experienced counsellor to discuss cases, receive feedback, and develop skills.

Peer review involves: Collaborating with other counsellors to review and discuss each other’s work.

By maintaining accreditation and registration, counsellors demonstrate their dedication to the counselling profession and their clients. It also ensures that they provide high-quality services that meet the needs of their clients, reinforcing their role as trusted health professionals in the counselling and psychotherapy profession.

Becoming an accredited counsellor in Australia can provide valuable advantages, from boosting employment opportunities to giving you a platform to specialise and pursue further studies in your chosen field. While accreditation is not legally required, it demonstrates your commitment to ethical standards and professional growth. Being ACA accredited can further enhance your employment prospects.

Whether your goal is to work in private practice, mental health, education, or community services, accreditation is an important step toward becoming a trusted professional in the field. Comprehensive psychotherapy training is essential for specialisation and professional growth.

Ready to take the next step in your counselling journey?