All Registered Counsellors have a requirement to be complete a minimum of 25 points of Ongoing Professional Development (OPD) and 10 hours of Supervision.

If you have not met the requirement for the year, you are able to request an exemption. You can have 2 exemptions per 10 years of membership, and they are applicable to OPD and Supervision for a membership year. Please contact [email protected] to discuss an exemption if you require one.

1. Ongoing professional development

ACA Members are to complete at least 25 points of professional activity each membership year to maintain their ongoing professional development (OPD) and registration with ACA. The registered counsellor is responsible for developing and reviewing his or her professional development. OPD is an opportunity for registered counsellors to work with their program/service manager to develop their professional practice and to bring value to their role.

How do I find OPD opportunities?

To find ACA Approved OPD events visit the Professional Development tab on the ACA Website.

For more information on OPD such as point allocation and types of events, view the ACA OPD Policy.

How do I upload OPD points to my member portal?

Watch the instructional video below for a guide on how to log your completed professional development events to gain OPD points towards your annual registration requirements.

2. Supervision

Supervision is the process whereby a counsellor can speak to someone who is trained to identify any behavioural and psychological changes in the counsellor that could be due to an inability to cope with issues of one or more clients. Supervision is a process whereby the supervisee can reflect on their practice, discuss workplace and professional issues in a safe environment.

Each practicing ACA Member, whether in paid or unpaid (volunteer) employment, must complete a minimum of 10 hours supervision per membership year. The ratio of supervision hours per client contact hours should be 1 hour of supervision for every 20 hours of client contact time. Counsellors in full time employment should receive supervision either internally or externally once a week where possible however not less than once a month. Supervision must be delivered by either an ACA Registered/ Recognised Supervisor.

How do I find a supervisor?

To source a Registered Supervisor, visit our Find A Supervisor Directory.

For more information on supervision, view the ACA Supervision Policy.

How do I log my supervision hours?

Watch the instructional video below for a guide on how to log your supervision hours to meet your annual registration requirements.