24 March 2026
We are delighted to invite you to an unforgettable evening at the ACA 2026 Counselling Excellence Awards Dinner, taking place on Thursday 28 May 2026 at Pullman Melbourne Albert Park.
As a highlight of the ACA 2026 Identity Symposium, this special event brings our profession together to recognise, celebrate and be inspired by the individuals shaping the future of counselling.
This is more than an awards night. It is a moment for our community to come together, reflect on the impact of our work, and honour the people driving meaningful change across the profession.
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Award categories
The ACA 2026 Counselling Excellence Awards recognise outstanding contributions across a diverse range of areas, including practice, research, advocacy and community impact.
Categories include:
- Counsellor of the Year
- Innovation in Counselling
- Advocacy and Social Justice
- Excellence in Research
- Excellence in Supervision
- Outstanding Student Counsellor
- Community Impact
- Lifetime Achievement
- Indigenous Award
- Regional, Rural and Remote
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Meet our Award Sponsors
We are proud to partner with organisations that share our commitment to supporting and advancing the counselling profession.
| Regional, Rural and Remote Award |
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Sponsored by James Cook University.
Recognising their commitment to supporting counsellors working across regional and remote Australia.
As Australia’s only university established to focus on the issues of Northern Australia and the Tropics worldwide, JCU is dedicated to helping the world’s tropical regions to prosper.
This award celebrates a counsellor working in regional, rural, or remote areas, someone who has overcome challenges to provide essential counselling services to underserved populations. We are recognising a counsellor who is making a difference in areas where access to mental health services can be limited.
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| Lifetime Achievement Award |
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Sponsored by Focus Insurance.
Honouring their support of those who have dedicated their careers to strengthening the counselling profession.
Focus Insurance is committed to providing insurance and risk management solutions to protect their clients personal and business assets.
This award recognises a counsellor who has dedicated their career to the counselling profession, someone who has had a profound impact on the profession and the lives of their clients. We are honoring those who have made a lasting contribution to the counselling profession.
| Counsellor of the Year Award |
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Sponsored by AIPC.
Acknowledging their commitment to advancing excellence within the counselling profession.
AIPC offers online counselling, community services, and health courses for a career for people who care.
This award will recognise a standout in the counselling field. We're celebrating an individual who has shown exceptional care for their clients, dedication to their professional development, and leadership within the counselling community.
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| Innovation in Counselling Award |
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Sponsored by Zanda Health.
Recognising their strong support for innovation and forward-thinking practice in counselling.
Zanda is an all-in-one practice management software that makes running a practice easy and enjoyable.
This award will celebrate someone who has developed a new and effective counselling approach and constantly push the boundaries of traditional counselling practices. We will honor those who are changing the game in counselling and making a real impact on clients' lives.
| Excellence in Supervision Award |
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Sponsored by Supervision Training Services.
Celebrating their dedication to excellence in supervision and professional development.
Enhance your skills and confidence as a clinical supervisor with STS's interactive 3-day training program.
This award recognises a supervisor who goes above and beyond to support counselling students or professionals, someone who is a mentor and guide in the field of counselling. We're celebrating an individual who are making a difference in the lives and careers of counselling professionals.
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| Community Impact Award |
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Sponsored by Cairnmillar Institute.
Acknowledging their contribution to supporting meaningful impact within communities.
The Cairnmillar Institute is an approved Higher Education Provider, with university equivalence offering post-graduate programs in counselling and psychotherapy.
This award will recognise a counsellor making a positive impact on the community, someone who has collaborated with community organisations to provide counselling services. We're celebrating a counsellor making a difference in the lives of those around them.
| Excellence in Research Award |
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Sponsored by the Institute of Applied Psychology.
Recognising their commitment to advancing knowledge and research in counselling.
IAP are industry leaders in Counselling, NLP, Coaching, Clinical Hypnosis, Strategic Psychotherapy and Mental Health courses.
This award will celebrate someone who is conducting groundbreaking research in the field of counselling, someone with research findings making a significant impact on the profession. We will recognise those who are advancing knowledge and understanding in counselling through their research.
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| Outstanding Student Counsellor Award |
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Sponsored by Christian Heritage College.
Supporting and empowering the next generation of counselling professionals.
Explore undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, study with a Christian perspective in Australia.
This award recognises a student Counsellor who is already making a mark in the counselling field, someone who has shown exceptional promise and dedication to your studies and practice. We want to recognise the future leaders of the counselling profession.
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Sponsorship opportunities available
Two award categories remain open for sponsorship:
- Advocacy and Social Justice Award: Recognising a Counsellor who is making a difference beyond the counselling room. We're celebrating an individuals who is an advocate for positive change, promoting social justice, and working to make the world a better place through counselling.
- Indigenous Award: Recognising an Indigenous counsellor making a difference in your community, we're celebrating an individual who is providing culturally sensitive counselling services, advocating for Indigenous mental health, and making a positive impact on Indigenous communities.
We welcome organisations who are passionate about supporting the profession and celebrating excellence in these important areas.
To enquire about sponsoring an award category, please contact us or view our Sponsorship Prospectus.
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Join us
The Awards Dinner will take place on the evening of Thursday 28 May 2026 at Pullman Melbourne Albert Park, following the ACA 2026 Identity Symposium.
Tickets are now available. We encourage you to secure your place and be part of this inspiring evening.