24 September 2026
The Australian Counselling Association (ACA) welcomes two significant developments for Australia’s veteran community: the Australian Government’s decision to withdraw its proposed $5,000 allied health threshold and the expansion of eligible professions within the Open Arms, Veterans & Families Counselling Outreach Program to include ACA Level 3 and Level 4 counsellors.
The Australian Government confirmed on 17 September that the proposed $5,000 threshold for Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) allied health treatment will no longer proceed following consultation with veterans, families and the broader sector. The proposal would have replaced the existing 12-session treatment cycle with a requirement for a veteran’s care to be reviewed once allied health treatment reached $5,000.
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ACA welcomes the Government’s decision to listen to the concerns raised by the veteran community.
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ACA CEO Peta Pitcher said ensuring veterans and their families can access appropriate care according to their individual needs must remain at the centre of Australia’s veteran support system.
“When a serviceman or woman signs up to serve our country, they do so to support the freedoms in our nation and the call to duty comes without a second thought. In return, we have a responsibility to support them during and beyond their service,” Ms Pitcher said.
“ACA welcomes the Government’s decision to withdraw the proposed $5,000 threshold and continue working with the veteran and provider communities on reforms that support access to appropriate care.”
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The announcement comes as DVA prepares to refresh and expand the Open Arms Outreach Program provider panel.
Recent changes to the DVA Treatment Principles now recognise ACA Level 3 and Level 4 counsellors as eligible service providers under the program.
Open Arms provides free and confidential counselling and support to eligible current and former Australian Defence Force personnel and their families. Its Outreach Program draws on a national network of private-practice mental health professionals to help deliver these services across Australia.
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“This is important recognition of the skills, qualifications and experience that registered counsellors bring to Australia’s mental health workforce,” Ms Pitcher said.
“ACA is proud to support our veteran community, ands we know many veterans and their families already benefit from the work of counsellors and psychotherapists across Australia. We welcome DVA’s recognition of ACA counsellors and look forward to working with the Department as the next stages of the Outreach Program expansion progress.”
DVA has advised that a Request for Tender to refresh the Open Arms Outreach Program panel is proposed but has not yet been released.
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