Member qualifications and expectations
Our members are required to practise at the highest standard and when you join Certified Practising Counsellors Australia, you are joining a community of Counselling Professionals who are dedicated to the sector.
CPCA is a professional organisation dedicated to advocating for and on behalf of counsellors and their clients nationwide. We represent the interests of both the public and our members, acting as an intermediary body for both parties. Our organisation believes in maintaining strong relationships with key stakeholders and advocating for fair outcomes for all.
CPCA has partnered with MME Australasia Insurance Services to support our members’ insurance and risk management requirements. We have negotiated the most feature-packed and affordable package that is exclusive to CPCA members. All practitioners are expected to maintain appropriate levels of insurance.
Eligibility
- A certified (by a JP) copy of your relevant qualification/s and full transcripts of training in Counselling
- A form of identification including a copy of your drivers license or passport
Minimum qualification for level 1 membership
- Diploma of Community Services
- Diploma of Mental Health
- Diploma of Counselling
Standards
Code of practice appended at end of document
Codes of practice- how do we monitor and react
Complaints Process
Complaints will be handled on a case-by-case basis. The conduct of the member will go before a tribunal who will define a ruling and if appropriate sanction for the member. Ultimately, we are here to ensure the smooth running of the industry and would like to reach agreements between the defendant and the complainant.
The form below may be used to provide notice of your intention to lodge a complaint. Please use this form to submit your contact details along with a short overview of your complaint. You will be contacted promptly and provided an opportunity to have your complaint heard by the organisation.
Complaints Form:
https://cpcaus.com.au/membership/complaint-procedure/submit-a-complaint/
Job Upload - Certified Practising Counsellors Australia
Job Upload Form:
Register of disbarred members
The organisation maintains a register of members who have had complaints lodged and those for whom the complaint has been upheld. The register also lists the penalty- reduction in membership status and removal as a member.
Demonstration of qualifications and monitoring ongoing professional development and supervision
We offer mentorship to our members virtually. A mentor can help you to grow your skills, make better decisions and gain new perspectives on your life and career. We offer this service to our members to ensure they have up to date information.
Level 4
Has graduated from an CPCA Accredited Course of study at minimum Degree Level in Counselling.
Requirements:
- Has a minimum of 4 years post qualification counselling experience, including minimum 1,000 client contact hours (statutory declaration required for client contact hours).
- Has completed a minimum of 100 hours Professional Supervision and completes 10 hours Professional Supervision per annum.
- Has completed a minimum of 100 hours Professional Supervision.
Evidence:
- JP signed qualification
- Professional experience- Contract, Employers letter, Hours of work
- If self employed- ABN, Types of service delivery, Role statement
- Professional supervision- A person at a higher level of CPCA who has supervised you – statement with signature and JP witnessed / statutory declaration
- Registry – dates /hours of client contact JP witnessed
Level 3
Has graduated from an CPCA Accredited Course of study at minimum Degree Level in Counselling.
Requirements:
- Has a minimum 2 years post qualification counselling experience, including minimum 750 client contact hours (statutory declaration required for client contact hours).
- Has completed a minimum of 75 hours Professional Supervision.
Evidence:
- JP signed qualification Professional experience- Contract, Employers letter, Hours of work
- If self employed- ABN, Types of service delivery, Role statement
- Professional supervision – A person at a higher level of CPCA who has supervised you – statement with signature and JP witnessed / statutory declaration Registry – dates /hours of client contact JP witnessed
Level 2
Has graduated from an CPCA Accredited Course of study at minimum Diploma Level in Counselling. Requirements: Has post Diploma Experience Has completed a minimum of 50 hours of Professional Supervision.
Evidence:
- JP signed qualification
Professional Experience:
- Contract
- Employers letter
- Hours of work
- If self employed- ABN, Types of service delivery, Role statement
Professional supervision
- A person at a higher level of CPCA who has supervised you – statement with signature and JP witnessed/statutory declaration
Level 1
Description: Graduated from a Recognised (RTO) qualification at Diploma level in Counselling
Requirements:
- None
Evidence:
- JP witnessed qualification
Ongoing Professional Development Policy - Certified Practising Counsellors Australia
CPCA – OPD Policy (Ongoing Professional Development)
Effective 31 May 2022
The following outlines CPCA policy and point allocation for OPD events. An CPCA approved event is one that has been formally submitted to and approved by, CPCA. A Non-CPCA approved event is an event that has not been submitted to, or approved by, ACPCA and therefor carries a lower point allocation and does not appear on the CPCA events page.
PLEASE NOTE: Points are not allocated against hours of delivery; 1 x point is not equivalent to one hour of attendance.
Professional Development & Supervision Point Table
Event Description | Points for CPCA Approved Event | Points for non-approved CPCA Approved Event |
Online training program: No less than one hour and no more than six hours, with assessment. Must provide certificate of completion/attendance with assessment | 5 Points | 3 Points |
Online training program: Duration of six hours or more. Must provide certificate of completion/attendance with assessment | 10 Points | 6 Points |
Workshop: Duration of no less than 90 minutes and no more than six hours or one day. Must provide Certificate of Attendance. | 5 Points | 3 Points |
Workshop: Duration of more than one day. Must provide Certificate of Attendance. | 10 Points | 6 Points |
First Aid Certificate course for private health provider number certificate must be provided (yearly CPR is not included) | 6 Points | N\A |
Conference: Duration of no less than six hours and no greater than one day. Must provide certificate of attendance. | 6 Points | 3 Points |
Conference: Duration of not less than two days. Must provide certificate of attendance. | 12 Points | 6 Points |
Courses and qualifications: See notes page 2 | 8 Points/Unit | 5 Points/ Unit |
An imparting knowledge related to counselling through formal presentations, peer reviewed research and publications. Supporting documents must be supplied. Imparting knowledge as a lecturer/tutor in an educational environment ie. University, College, School, TAFE or RTO is not considered ongoing professional development (OPD). | Maximum 8 points per membership year | N\A |
Notes for Ongoing Professional Development points
All practising members of CPCA (Partner through to Level 4) are required to complete 25 points of Ongoing Professional Development (OPD) per membership year. An event is defined as any one activity regardless of how many hours or days the activity goes for. Breaks for lunch etc. must not be included when defining how many hours an event runs for. Only completed events will attract OPD points. Each event can only be claimed once. The required annual accrual of 25 points must be attained through attendance at a minimum of two different and separate events unless completing a course. 25 points cannot be accumulated through one event or activity.
Workshops/Presentations
All practising members of CPCA (Partner through to Level 4) are required to complete 25 points of Ongoing Professional Development (OPD) per membership year. An event is defined as any one activity regardless of how many hours or days the activity goes for. Breaks for lunch etc. must not be included when defining how many hours an event runs for. Only completed events will attract OPD points. Each event can only be claimed once.
The required annual accrual of 25 points must be attained through attendance at a minimum of two different and separate events unless completing a course. 25 points cannot be accumulated through one event or activity such as only attending CPCA Member Association or CPCA Chapter meetings.
Online training program:
All practising members of CPCA (Partner through to Level 4) are required to complete 25 points of Ongoing Professional Development (OPD) per membership year. An event is defined as any one activity regardless of how many hours or days the activity goes for. Breaks for lunch etc. must not be included when defining how many hours an event runs for. Only completed events will attract OPD points. Each event can only be claimed once.
The required annual accrual of 25 points must be attained through attendance at a minimum of two different and separate events unless completing a course. 25 points cannot be accumulated through one event or activity such as only attending CPCA Member Association or CPCA Chapter meetings.
Courses and qualifications:
CPCA will accept courses and qualifications that further a member’s skills and qualifications as a counsellor for OPD purposes under the following conditions:
- A qualification must be an AQF accredited qualification
- A course unit must include a formal assessment
- A course unity must have no less than 60 hours of coursework
- OPD will be allocation on a per unit per semester basis
- Only completed units are eligible for OPDA transcript of training must be submitted as evidence of a completed unit
- Each unit completed is a single event.
CPCA delivered OPD, workshops and conferences will be allocated OPD point separately.
Guidelines for OPD Presenter/s:
- OPD events should be presented by those who are: An appropriate, experienced organisation delivering OPD training
- Appropriately qualified and experienced individual in the subject matter that they are presenting; and
- Individual members of CPCA; or
- Able to demonstrate eligibility for membership to CPCA
- Recognised by the profession as having advanced expertise in the topic being addressed.
- Any activity or events that fall outside this document can be sent to CPCA for consideration of OPD points.
- It is the responsibility of the event providers to seek CPCA pre-approval.
- Events description: This document must be read in conjunction with the OPD policy document.
Ongoing Professional Development Policy - Certified Practising Counsellors Australia
To maintain our association and members’ credibility as professionals, we require our members to submit their professional development & supervision to ensure they have met their membership obligations for the year.
To streamline the submission process for our members, we have designed a template which you can access on the website or follow the link.
Appendix 1: Code of Ethics and Practice
To maintain our association and members’ credibility as professionals, we require our members to submit their professional development & supervision to ensure they have met their membership obligations for the year.
To streamline the submission process for our members, we have designed a template which you can access on the website or follow the link.
Preamble
Certified Practising Counsellors Australia (henceforth known as CPCA) strives to outline, promote, and adhere to a high standard of ethical practice for those within the counselling industry.
This Code outlines expectations and requirements of CPCA members with regards to counselling values and ethical practice. This Code is intended to provide a set of practicable ethical standards to cover most common and/or foreseeable circumstances experienced by counsellors.
The objective of this Code is to educate and guide CPCA members on expectations of ethical practice and conduct, with the welfare and protection of people with whom counsellors may work in mind.
To maintain the high standards expected within this industry, the CPCA Code of Ethics is informed by aspects of Codes of Ethics established by the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA) and the Australian Psychological Society (APS).
This Code was partly based on the PACFA Code of Ethics 2017 and the APS Code of Ethics 2017. CPCA graciously acknowledges PACFA and APS for this document.
Application
The CPCA Code of Ethics applies to all existing members of CPCA, whether they exist as:
- Counsellors
- Students
- Supervisors
- Educators
- Researchers
Or any other relevant role.
Application
- Client refers to a party or parties to a counselling service. Clients may be individuals,
couples, families, groups, organisations, communities, facilitators or those otherwise party to counselling services
- Code refers to this Code of Ethics and Practice.
- Counsellor refers to anyone delivering a counselling service.
- Counselling Service refers to any service provided by a counsellor to a client, including but not limited to:
- Counselling activities
- Professional practice
- Research practice
- Supervision
- Teaching
- Member(s) refers to all those covered by the CPCA Code of Conduct.
- Multiple Relationships occur when a counsellor, throughout the provision of a Counselling Service, has been or is:
- In a non-professional relationship (whether it be sexual or nonsexual) with the same client
- In a different professional relationship with the same client
- A recipient of service by the same client
- A Professional Relationship means the relationship between a counsellor and a client to whom a Counselling Service is delivered.
Ethical foundations
CPCA acknowledges that counsellors and members may operate in adherence to a diverse range of ethics and principles. The following are a series of values and principles highly valued by CPCA, however they should be understood as a guideline and not a formal or sanctionable obligation.
CPCA observes a F-A-I-R model of values:
Fairness
CPCA members should be fair and just when conducting themselves, especially as they go about their work with clients. This includes being impartial and egalitarian in the provision of services and opportunities.
Accountability
CPCA members are both professionally and conscientiously responsible for taking full accountability for the services provided, observing and following all relevant legislature and policies that apply.
Integrity
CPCA members should conduct themselves with the utmost integrity, honesty, and authenticity in their relationships with clients and others.
Respect
CPCA members should be careful and considerate of ensuring clients and others with whom they interact within the provision of counselling services are treated with the utmost respect for their autonomy, privacy, and identity. This includes respect and compassion for diverse and different identities and backgrounds.
Ethical foundations
In adherence to CPCA’s goal to promote the ethical practice of counselling, CPCA acknowledges the following commitments to clients receiving counselling services:
- Clients will be prioritised by:
- Acting with the utmost care and compassion for clients’ needs
- Protecting clients if/when determined they may be at risk of harm or detriment
- Providing clearly defined terms on which services will be offered
- Seeking informed consent for all client services
- Ensuring a clearly defined professional, practical relationship between clients and counsellors
- Avoiding conflicts of interest that may harm or exploit clients
- High professional standards will be upheld by:
- Delivering high-quality counselling services with clients’ wants and needs in mind
- Solely facilitating practice within the ethical and legal limits of counsellors’ training and experience
- Maintaining competence through ongoing supervision and professional development
- Diversity will be respected by:
- Not discriminating against clients based on their gender, age, culture, ability, religion, sexual identity, values, or any other trait which may serve as a point of diversity
- Confidentiality will be respected by:
- Upholding privacy and confidentiality laws to protect client privacy
- Ensuring clients are fully informed on their right to confidentiality
- Explaining the legal limits to confidentiality
- Taking all practicable and reasonable steps to prevent the unauthorised disclosure of clients’ personal information
- Professional boundaries will be upheld by:
- Avoiding conflicts of interest in the form of multiple or complicated relationships with clients
- Avoiding engagement in romantic or sexual relationships with clients or members of their family both throughout the counselling relationship for at least five years after the end of this relationship
Commitments to clients
In adherence to CPCA’s goal to promote the ethical practice of counselling, CPCA acknowledges the following commitments to clients receiving counselling services:
- Clients will be prioritised by:
- Acting with the utmost care and compassion for clients’ needs
- Protecting clients if/when determined they may be at risk of harm or detriment
- Providing clearly defined terms on which services will be offered
- Seeking informed consent for all client services
- Ensuring a clearly defined professional, practical relationship between clients and counsellors
- Avoiding conflicts of interest that may harm or exploit clients
- High professional standards will be upheld by:
- Delivering high-quality counselling services with clients’ wants and needs in mind
- Solely facilitating practice within the ethical and legal limits of counsellors’ training and experience
- Maintaining competence through ongoing supervision and professional development
- Diversity will be respected by:
- Not discriminating against clients based on their gender, age, culture, ability, religion, sexual identity, values, or any other trait which may serve as a point of diversity
- Confidentiality will be respected by:
- Upholding privacy and confidentiality laws to protect client privacy
- Ensuring clients are fully informed on their right to confidentiality
- Explaining the legal limits to confidentiality
- Taking all practicable and reasonable steps to prevent the unauthorised disclosure of clients’ personal information
- Professional boundaries will be upheld by:
- Avoiding conflicts of interest in the form of multiple or complicated relationships with clients
- Avoiding engagement in romantic or sexual relationships with clients or members of their family both throughout the counselling relationship for at least five years after the end of this relationship
Ethical standards for clinical practice
- Client safety & wellbeing
- Counsellors must take all reasonable and practicable steps to ensure the client does not suffer harm, be it physical, emotional, or psychological, during counselling sessions
- Counsellors must not exploit their client/s in any capacity, be it financially, physically, emotionally, sexually or otherwise
- Counsellors must ensure all counselling sessions are conducted privately. Sessions should not be able to be overheard, recorded, or observed by anyone without informed consent from the client
- Working to high professional standards
- Counsellors must practise with the clients’ desired outcomes in mind
- Counsellors must give thoughtful and careful consideration to the extents and limitations of their training and experience, and work within these limits
- If a counsellor determines they are unable to provide services to meet the client’s needs, they should provide information on other services or make a referral, either in lieu of the counsellor’s services or in parallel with them
- Counsellors should give special consideration to whether they are competent or adequately trained/experienced to work with particular groups, such as (but not limited to):
- Children and adolescents
- Couples and families
- Groups with other special needs
- Counsellors should monitor their fitness to practise and provide safe and effective services, with special consideration to:
- Ensuring the counsellor does not practise while intoxicated or otherwise impaired
- Ensuring the counsellor seeks the advice of a supervisor or manager if otherwise concerned about their ability to safely and effectively practise
- Counsellors should monitor and maintain their competence by:
- Regularly seeking formal supervision
- Ensuring the counsellor is up to date with the latest knowledge and information on the counselling profession
- Counsellors should keep well-maintained records of their work with clients for accountability and future case planning purposes
- Records should include session summaries as well as any contact with clients, such as via email, phone, or SMS
- All records should be kept with accuracy and respect of clients and colleagues in mind, including ensuring they are not easily accessed by anyone other than the counsellor for confidentiality and privacy purposes
- Counsellors should be and stay aware of legal requirements pertaining to their work, including mandatory reporting requirements
- Counsellors should be aware that they are legally accountable for their practice
- Counsellors should comply with any Code of Conduct required by law in their practising state or territory
- Counsellors have a responsibility and duty to disclose to CPCA information pertaining to any criminal investigations or convictions related to their ethical conduct as a counsellor, or complaints of professional misconduct
- These disclosures are required as part of the application for and reactivation of membership with CPCA
- Building trust
- Counsellors should inform clients about the nature of the counselling services being offered and refrain from making inaccurate or misleading claims about the extent of their services
- Counsellors should clarify with clients the terms of the service being offered, including fees and any other reasonably foreseeable costs or liabilities
- Counsellors should make clients aware of the process for cancelling sessions or seeking support outside of sessions
- Counsellors should accurately represent their own qualifications, accreditations, and professional standing to clients
- Counsellors should work within a clearly defined and principled relationship with clients, with a contract or contracts clearly set out to define the relationship and services offered
- Counsellors should obtain informed consent from their clients prior to providing counselling services
- Counsellors should respect a client’s right to choose whether to continue or withdraw from counselling services
- Counsellors acknowledge that implicit consent is not sufficient in ensuring the safety and wellbeing of clients throughout the provision of counselling services
- Counsellors should not abuse or exploit the trust of current or former clients for personal gain of any kind
- Counsellors should confer with their supervisor or manager if a situation arises wherein a client may have been harmed to ensure the appropriate professional steps are taken to mitigate future harm
- Breaks and endings to counselling services
- Counsellors work with clients with the aim to reach a clear and recognised ending once clients have received the help they sought or when it is established by the client that counselling services are no longer needed or desired
- It is the responsibility of the counsellor to prepare clients appropriately for any planned or intended breaks from the counselling relationship or sessions
- Responsibility to other counsellors
- Counsellors have a responsibility to not conduct themselves in any way that may undermine confidence either in the role of counsellor or the broader profession of counselling
- Counsellors must take care not to violate or breach confidentiality to any extent aside from what is necessary for investigating the complaint
Committees
- All members of all committees established by CPCA to carry out CPCA’s aims and objectives must observe and abide by the Code of Ethics and Practice.
- CPCA shall, while acting in accordance with this Code, have discretionary power sufficient to appoint fit persons to serve on any such committees. Under circumstances wherein a committee member is not a member of CPCA, they must agree (in written form) to abide by the Code throughout the duration of their role.
- Committees may be established for purposes including, but not limited to:
- Education of CPCA members
- Education of the public regarding the wider counselling profession
- Review of the Codes, practices and procedures of CPCA
- Lobbying for the furtherment of CPCA goals
- Resolving disputes between counsellors
- Assessment, review, and coordination of course and/or program development and delivery
Equal Opportunities Policy Statement
CPCA is committed to promoting equal access and opportunity for all members in every capacity. CPCA is aware of and has due regard for groups with identifiable characteristics which may lead to barriers, such as age, sex, gender, nationality, race, creed, culture, ethnicity, education, disability, mobility, financial status, religion, sexual orientation, or social class and/or status.
