You may have seen late last year, ACA worked with the Opposition in Victoria on a Bill to get Registered Counsellors and Psychotherapists added to the list of Mental Health Practitioners, which was then lost by one vote.

Today, with big thanks to the tireless support from Emma Kealy MP, a new Mental Health and Wellbeing Bill was announced, which will finally see the definition of a Mental Health Practitioner expanded to include Registered Counsellors!

This will mean that ACA Registered Counsellors enjoy the same level of access and recognition as the other disciplines and can transition into areas such as schools – unlocking an additional 2,000 qualified professionals for the mental health workforce. It will go a long way to relieving desperate workforce shortages and for existing staff that are fatigued from the extra demand on the sector as a result of the pandemic.

Although the changes won’t come into affect until September next year, this is a long overdue win for the better mental health of Victorians and sets a precedent for other States and Territories to follow suit.

In a media release Ms Kealy said “the Australian Counselling Association and their members should be proud of their tireless efforts to fight to be recognised for the positive contribution they can make for Victorian’s mental health”.

Click here if you would like to read more of Ms Kealy’s media release.

ACA is proud to advocate on behalf of the counselling and psychotherapy workforce, and does not rely on third party groups for advocacy. We look forward to sharing more good news with members.