Become an ACA Registered Counsellor

Our professional community includes practitioners, academics and students within the counselling and psychotherapy sector.

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PROFESSIONAL RESOURCES

Our Community

Thank you for considering registration with the Australian Counselling Association, the leading peak body for counselling and psychotherapy. We are a community of dedicated professionals committed to upholding the highest standards of ethical practice, continuous learning, and the wellbeing of individuals and communities across Australia.

Our community includes practitioners, academics and students within the counselling and psychotherapy sector. 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.

Registration with ACA is an ongoing investment in your professional growth and success. As the landscape of mental health evolves, ACA is dedicated to evolving with it, ensuring that you remain at the forefront of the counselling profession. You will be equipped with professional support and resources, fostering opportunities that contribute to, and shape, professional excellence.

Why Join the ACA?

Registration

Be recognised for your skills and experience in counselling and psychotherapy.

Latest Industry News

Keep up to date with the latest news and opportunities relevant to you.

Representation

ACA leads in advocacy and engagement.

Insurance

Enjoy significant savings on insurance with our trusted partners.

Professional Development

Grow professionally with ongoing training and on-demand resources.

Retail Offers

Access exclusive offers on products and services.

Recognition

Communicate that you are a qualified professional with your ACA digital certificate and registration badge.

Community

Be part of a friendly, open, and trusted community.

  • 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)
ACA only accepts counselling qualifications for
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.
Applicants who hold qualifications that are more than five (5) years old will need to provide evidence of working in the counselling profession or evidence of previous counselling supervision received since their qualification was awarded to meet qualification recency requirements.
 
Applicants holding formal counselling qualifications that are over ten (10) years old without evidence of professional development, clinical supervision and professional practice may not be eligible for registration with ACA. In these instances, an applicant may have to complete an updated formal counselling qualification to be eligible for registration.
 
ACA counsellors must ensure that they keep their skills and knowledge up to date with their chosen modalities, to ensure that clients are receiving the most appropriate therapeutic interventions.
ACA does not have a Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) pathway to registration. All registered counsellors must have completed a qualification as outlined in the ACA Scope of Practice. Applicants who have received RPL as part of their qualification must be assessed individually.
 
An individual who is seeking to receive RPL from prior qualifications should contact the training provider they wish to study through. ACA does not process RPL requests.

Join the Australian Counselling Association

You will join a community of dedicated professionals committed to upholding the highest standards of ethical practice, continuous learning, and the wellbeing of individuals and communities across Australia.

As the landscape of mental health evolves, ACA is dedicated to evolving with it, ensuring that you remain at the forefront of the counselling profession.

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