MEMBERSHIP CATEGORIES
Membership Tiers
ACA Level 1 Membership
$280
Eligibility
A Registered Counsellor who has graduated from one of the following types of ACA-Accredited Courses (based on AQF level qualifications):
• Diploma of Counselling (AQF Level 5); or
• Advanced Diploma of Counselling or associate degree in counselling (AQF Level 6); or
• Graduate Diploma of Counselling (AQF Level 8)
Or, the Registered Counsellor has graduated from a non-ACA Accredited Bachelor of Counselling qualification.
ACA Level 2 Membership
$300
Eligibility
A Registered Counsellor who has graduated from one of the following types of ACA-Accredited Courses (based on AQF level qualifications):
• Bachelor of Counselling (AQF Level 7); or Master of Counselling (AQF Level 9) or the Registered Counsellor has completed an ACA Accredited Course of:
ACA Level 3 Membership
$320
Eligibility
A Registered Counsellor who has graduated from one of the following types of ACA-Accredited Courses (based on AQF level qualifications):
A Registered Counsellor who has graduated from one of the following types of ACA-Accredited Courses (based on AQF level qualifications):
• Bachelor of Counselling (AQF Level 7); or
• Master of Counselling (AQF Level 9); and
• Has completed a minimum of 2 years post-qualification experience;
• Provides evidence of 75 hours of post-qualification clinical or workplace supervision; and
• Provides evidence of 750 client contact hours.
ACA Level 4 Membership
$340
Eligibility
A Registered Counsellor who has graduated from one of the following types of ACA-Accredited Courses (based on AQF level qualifications):
• Bachelor of Counselling (AQF Level 7); or
• Master of Counselling (AQF Level 9); and
• Has completed a minimum of 4 years post-qualification experience;
• Provides evidence of 100 hours of post-qualification clinical or workplace supervision; and
• Provides evidence of 1000 client contact hours.
ACA Student Membership
FREE
Eligibility
ACA Student Members are those who are studying an ACA Accredited Course and are wanting to apply for registration as a Registered Counsellor once their studies are completed.
Student membership is a non-practising membership for those who do not already hold a qualification in mental health or are working in an organisation or mental health service under the supervision of qualified professionals. To qualify for student membership this must be your first request for membership with ACA.
Once a student member has completed their ACA Accredited Course, they are eligible to apply to upgrade their student membership to Level 1 or 2, dependent on the qualification completed.
Students are required to ensure that they have arranged adequate insurance coverage when completing placements.
ACA International Membership
$50
Eligibility
This level of membership is for those who reside and practice overseas. An individual who has completed an ACA Accredited Course and resides overseas can apply for international membership. International membership is a non-practicing membership level and is considered to be affiliate only.
International qualifications are assessed individually; however, they must reflect a substantial amount of counselling/ psychotherapy units in their training transcripts.
An individual who has had their qualification assessed through VETASSES may provide ACA with the assessment as part of the consideration of their international qualification assessment for membership eligibility.
ACA Academic Membership
$250
Eligibility
This is a non–practising level. This level is exclusive to (and are employed as) lecturers, teachers, tutors, or researchers who do not actively practice as counsellors. They are employed by an ACA recognised training provider to deliver in part or whole an ACA accredited program in counselling. If working within the vocational sector, an Academic Member must hold an AQF level 4 Certificate in Training and Assessment. This level is not open to clinical/professional supervisors, markers, or administrators. Academic Members are non–voting members of ACA.
AQF Level 10 – PhD is accepted for Academic membership only. It is not accepted for any other level of ACA membership as a stand-alone qualification.
ACA Proficent Membership
$240
Eligibility
Proficient is a non-practising membership with ACA. New applicants can not apply for Proficient membership.
Proficient membership is exclusively for existing ACA Registered Counsellors who are taking extended leave and, therefore, wish to change to a non-practising membership. A period no shorter than six months will be granted for Proficient Members.
An ACA Registered Counsellor must formally apply to be moved to this membership. Prior to returning back to practice, the member must reapply to be returned to their previous level of membership in writing via email. Proficient Members are not required to engage in regular supervision or professional development while on Proficient membership.
Eligibility for Provisional membership includes:
• Going On Maternity Leave for 6 months or more;
• Long Service Leave for 6 months or more;
• Sabbatical Leave; or
• Leave of absence from the Counselling field for 6 months or more.
ACA Venerable
$80
Eligibility
This is a non-full member, non-practicing level open to all ACA Members when they retire as Registered Counsellors.
What do I need to apply?
- Certificate or Testamur of qualification
in Counselling certified by a Justice of the Peace - Full Academic Transcript of qualification
in Counselling certified by a Justice of the Peace - A current National Police Check Certificate, Working With Children Check or Blue Card
- Optional: Post Qualification Supervision Letter (if
applicable)
Prerequisites
registration. ACA does not accept qualifications in psychology, social science, social work, welfare, mental health, education, theology, genetic counselling, financial counselling, rehabilitation counselling, or hybrid qualifications.
There are no prerequisites to join ACA if you have completed your counselling qualification within the past five years.
If your qualification is more than five years old, you will need to provide evidence of working in the field or previous supervision hours to meet the ACA Recency Clause.
Recency
Recognition of Prior Learning
Annual Membership Renewal Requirements
ACA Registered Counsellors must complete the following each year to maintain their registration:
• 10 hours of professional supervision per membership year, and
• 25 points of professional development per membership year.
Additionally, if engaged in self-employed private practice, ACA Registered Counsellors must maintain professional indemnity and public liability insurance and provide evidence to ACA at each renewal of registration.
ACA SCOPE OF PRACTICE
The ACA Scope of Practice for Registered Counsellors (version 2, 2021) provide clients, practitioners and professionals access to information regarding the practice of counselling in Australia. The framework for the Scope has origins in years of counselling experience and practice gained by established Registered Counsellors. It draws upon evidence of practice from Australia and other parts of the world, ensuring a comprehensive and effective approach.
The Scope is designed to support both Registered Counsellors and mental health system administrators, organisations, and agencies. As its objective, ACA has developed and implemented a demonstrated evidence-based psychological intervention framework for Registered Counsellors operating in programs and services. By adhering and practicing in accordance with the Scope, Registered Counsellors deliver services to their clients in a safe and ethical practice.
The Scope also outlines ACA membership levels, requirements and eligibility.
Become a Member of the ACA
Our member community includes practitioners, academics and students within the counselling
and psychotherapy sector.
