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 DescriptionPoints for CPCA Approved EventPoints 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 assessment5 Points3 Points
Online training program: Duration of six hours or more. Must provide certificate of completion/attendance with assessment10 Points6 Points
Workshop: Duration of no less than 90 minutes and no more than six hours or one day. Must provide Certificate of Attendance.5 Points3 Points
Workshop: Duration of more than one day. Must provide Certificate of Attendance.10 Points6 Points
First Aid Certificate course for private health provider number certificate must be provided (yearly CPR is not included)6 PointsN\A
Conference: Duration of no less than six hours and no greater than one Day. Must provide certificate of attendance.6 Points3 Points
Conference: Duration of not less than two days. Must provide certificate of attendance.12 Points6 Points
Courses and qualifications: See notes page 28 Points/Unit5 Points/ Unit
A 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 OPD.Maximum 8 points per membership yearN\A

Notes for Ongoing Professional Development points

All practicing 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 practicing 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 practicing 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 OPD
  • A 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 ACA OPD policy document.

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