It is with great excitement we announce a development for our Victorian members. Starting from Term 1 – 2024, eligible Victorian counsellors will be able to apply for Mental Health Practitioner (MHP) roles within Victorian Government Secondary Schools and Specialist Schools with secondary-aged enrolments.

About the opportunity

In 2019, the Victorian Department of Education (the department) introduced Mental Health Practitioners (MHP) initiative to expand mental health and wellbeing supports provided to schools. To date MHP roles were available to applicants who are fully qualified Mental Health Nurses, Occupational Therapists, Psychologists and Social Workers.  This ongoing initiative is now expanding to include eligible Registered Counsellors.

The positive change comes following a significant shift in Victorian legislation with the implementation of the Mental Health and Wellbeing Act (the Act) on 1 September 2023. The Act now recognises counsellors of a prescribed class as a mental health practitioner. To align with the Act, the Victorian Department of Education is including eligible counsellors in scope for school-based MHP roles.

MHPs work flexibly, based on the needs and priorities of their school and students. They are supported by regionally based mental health coordinators who also coordinate the mental health and wellbeing activities of other schools in the local area participating in the MHP initiative. They usually work as part of a multi-disciplinary team that helps students develop resilience to prepare them for future challenges.

The role includes:

• mental health prevention and promotion
• short term support for students including direct counselling
• coordinating supports for other services for students with complex needs.

Allocation of MHPs is based on student enrolments, with each eligible school campus receiving support from a MHP between one and five days per week.

The positions offer:

• meaningful work that has a positive impact on student outcomes and their lives
• job security and flexibility, with part-time positions available
• work life balance, with paid school holidays
• access to a range of professional development supports.

 

Eligibility criteria

• Have completed a university degree of Bachelor of Counselling or Master of Counselling;
• are a practicing/fully qualified member of either the Australian Counselling Association (ACA) or the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA); and
• hold a current Working With Children Check.

 

How to apply

MHP roles are regularly advertised on careers.vic.gov.au.

 

We hope that this news sets a positive precedent will inspire other States and Territories to follow suit, recognising and embracing the important role that counsellors and psychotherapists play in supporting mental health in educational settings.

We stand firm in our mission – to advance the profession, representing an educated and accountable workforce that is availed the same professional opportunities as their industry peers. We continue to educate and advocate for the value and impact of our members in supporting mental health and wellbeing.

More information

• For more information visit the department’s Mental health practitioners in secondary and specialist schools webpage
• Register for the department’s online information session for fully qualified/practicing members of ACA: Mental Health Practitioners initiative webinar Tickets, Thu 15/02/2024 at 4:00 pm | Eventbrite
• For more information about employment conditions and salary go to Victorian Government Schools Agreement 2022
• If you have any additional queries, email [email protected]