ACA Accredited Counsellor Training and Supervisor Training Courses

ACA is a peak national Association for Counsellors. Its primary objective is to register Counsellors and Psychotherapists to ensure the public has access to appropriately trained professionals whom are accountable and meet self regulating industry standards.

One of the means by which ACA ensures practitioners meet appropriate standards, is by ensuring they have appropriate training. Only practitioners that have completed an ACA Accredited course of study, and meet additional ongoing requirements, can be listed on the ACA Register.

Courses of study that meet ACA Accreditation standards must have a primary focus on Counselling, not Social Work, Welfare, Psychology etc. Registered Counsellors are required to be able to perform significant in depth therapeutic work with their clients using various therapeutic approaches. These skills must be taught and assessed beyond the realms of theory.

Following is a brief guide to the various levels of training which a Counsellor may undertake. The following have been broken up into the various Training Sectors that deliver Counsellor training courses. There are two recognised training sectors in Australia; vocational training (VET) and higher education (HE). An ACA Registered Counsellor can train through either the VET or HE pathway.

Vocational Training: VET level training can be delivered through Private Providers, through Technical and Further Education (TAFE) facilities, or through Universities. VET courses are tiered and start at an entry level Certificate I to IV, then Diploma, Advanced Diploma and most recently Vocational Graduate Certificates and Diplomas. Minimum educational standards for registration with ACA require completion of an ACA Accredited VET level Diploma in Counselling from an ACA endorsed Registered Training Organisation.

Higher Education: Higher Education (HE) courses are delivered through Universities or Private Providers whose courses have been approved by the HE state authority. HE courses generally start at the undergraduate level with a Bachelor Degree, progressing through a tiered process to graduate qualifications of Graduate Certificates and Diplomas up to a Masters Degree, then Doctorates and PhD’s.

Only courses that meet ACA Accredited Training Standards are listed. If you are in any doubt about training as a Counsellor, contact ACA before committing money and time and before signing a contract of training. Some literature used for marketing can be misleading in regards to the credibility of the course offered.

Be aware of courses that claim international standing only. In many cases these courses do not meet the required Australian standards. To further discuss training issues you can contact us on 1300-784-333.