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ACA Celebrates 20,000 Members – A Milestone of Collective Impact

  

May 2, 2025

The Australian Counselling Association is proud to announce a significant milestone: we now represent over 20,000 registered counsellors, psychotherapists, and students across Australia.

Reaching this number is not just about growth – it’s a reflection of the professionalism, integrity, and compassion that defines our community. Each ACA member is committed to practicing under a Code of Ethics and Practice and within a defined Scope of Practice, upholding high standards of care.

ACA’s community includes individuals who are actively shaping the future of mental health in Australia. They provide essential support to people in their most vulnerable moments, offering a safe and compassionate space for healing and growth.

Our growth is driven by the active engagement of members across a wide range of initiatives. Over the past year, members have contributed to symposiums, webinars, chapter meetings, and public consultations on National Standards. Many participated in the ACA 2024 Workforce Census, submitted abstracts, and nominated peers for the ACA Excellence Awards. The response to the upcoming National Conference in June 2024 has also been overwhelming, highlighting a strong commitment to professional development and peer collaboration.


A Year of Digital Transformation

In addition to reaching this milestone, this month marks 12 months of digital transformation at ACA, a journey that has greatly improved member services and operational efficiency. Despite being a small team with limited resources, ACA has delivered substantial advancements, including:

  • A new scalable business model ensuring long-term sustainability.

  • Automated student application processing, reducing turnaround from 6 weeks to immediate effect.

  • Self-service functionality for private health fund applications, replacing manual handling.

  • Faster email response times, averaging 1–2 days, often same-day.

  • Improved phone support responsiveness.

  • The transition of the Counselling Australia journal to a digital format, reducing environmental impact.

  • Streamlined, automated workflows for a better member experience.

These innovations not only support efficiency but also reflect our commitment to continuous improvement.

Elevating Our Voice & Recognition

We continue to build recognition of our profession through meaningful representation in co-design initiatives and consultation forums with key stakeholders including government. These strategic engagements ensure that the voice of our members are heard where it matters most – at the tables shaping the future of mental health and wellbeing in Australia.

We take pride in our evidence-based and collaborative advocacy to bring new opportunities to our members. By amplifying our community’s impact, we strengthen our collective identity and push for greater inclusion and recognition across healthcare and community sectors.

As we celebrate this milestone, we extend our deepest gratitude to our members for their dedication and contributions. Together, we look forward to continuing our mission to improve the lives of Australians though counselling and psychotherapy delivered by trusted professionals.


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