As we near the end of November 2023, we wanted to provide you with the latest information regarding National Standards for Counsellors and Psychotherapists, led by the Federal Government.

As communicated in our previous update in May 2023, the ACA, in collaboration with the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA) and the Department of Health, have been allocated a budget of $300,000 for this initiative, which aims to define national standards across the sector in areas such as Education, Accreditation, Supervision, Complaints, Ongoing Professional Development, Credentialing, and Pathways.

However, as of this November, there are no new developments or updates to share. The project, as outlined previously, is slated to commence in the coming months, expected to take up a 2-year period, and implementation will occur post 2026. We are currently in the process of awaiting news regarding the appointment of a third-party consultant who will play a pivotal role in leading this project.

While we understand that this may spark questions and anticipation within our community, we want to assure you that we are committed to providing timely and transparent communication. We want to emphasise the importance of referring to ACA’s official communication channels for accurate and authorised information. These channels are the sole platforms through which ACA Members should receive updates related to their membership, news, and advocacy.

Despite the anticipation surrounding the project, let us continue to focus on our shared mission of offering support to those in need.