Australia’s mental health sector stands at a crossroads. The recent draft of the National Standards for Counsellors and Psychotherapists has sparked widespread concern among practitioners, educators, and community advocates. At the heart of the issue is a move that threatens to sideline vocationally trained counsellors—those who have dedicated their careers to serving Australians in every corner of the country, especially where support is needed most.
The Threat: Restricting Entry, Limiting Care
The draft standards propose that counsellors with a Diploma (AQF Level 5)—the backbone of frontline mental health care in regional, rural, and lower-income urban areas—would be barred from private practice and clinical supervision roles. Instead, only those who have completed specific, often costly, university pathways would be eligible for full professional participation.
This shift is not just about raising standards; it’s about who gets to be a counsellor in Australia. The ambiguity of the proposed licensing process, the lack of clarity around recognised “peak bodies,” and the exclusion of experienced vocational practitioners all point to a troubling consolidation of power in the hands of a few large associations—most notably, the Australian Counselling Association (ACA).
Is This an Attempt at Monopoly?
ACA’s public statements and strategic priorities make clear their ambition to be the dominant, if not sole, voice in the sector. Their ongoing engagement with the Department of Health and Aged Care, and their push for national registration, are presented as efforts to “advance the profession.” But when these efforts come at the expense of thousands of experienced, community-based counsellors—many of whom trained through Australia’s accredited VET sector—the result is not advancement, but exclusion.
By requiring new counsellors to complete only ACA-accredited courses, the door is slammed shut on those who have taken alternative, yet equally rigorous, training pathways. This not only limits professional diversity but also risks creating a monopoly where one association controls both the standards and the supply of new practitioners.
The Real-World Impact
- Reduced Access: Communities already struggling to attract university-trained clinicians will lose access to qualified, vocationally trained counsellors.
- Higher Costs: Aspiring counsellors face steeper tuition fees and longer, more expensive pathways—barriers that disproportionately impact those from disadvantaged backgrounds.
- Loss of Experience: Decades of practical expertise risk being sidelined in favour of arbitrary qualification requirements, rather than proven competence and ethical practice.
CPCA’s Position: Inclusion, Fairness, and Real-World Competence
At CPCA, we believe Australia’s mental health system is strongest when it recognises all qualified counsellors—vocational and tertiary alike. We support the call for:
- Formal recognition of the vocational pathway as a legitimate, valued route into the profession.
- Transparent, equitable licensing that prioritises demonstrated skills and ethical practice over exclusive course lists.
- Sector-wide consultation that includes RTOs, employers, and community services—not just the largest associations.
Take Action: Protect Choice, Protect Care
We urge policymakers, practitioners, and the public to resist moves toward monopolisation in our sector. Let’s ensure that Australia’s counselling standards remain inclusive, evidence-based, and focused on real-world outcomes—not the interests of a single association.
Add your voice to the movement for fair, accessible, and diverse mental health care. Because when it comes to supporting Australians, every qualified counsellor counts.
