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Our Members

Attentive Therapist

What is a Vocational Mental Health practitioner?

Our Committment to You

What You Can Expect from a VMHPAA Member

How VMHPAA Supports You and Your Community
 
The Vocational Mental Health Practitioners Association of Australia (VMHPAA) exists not only to support mental health practitioners - but also to ensure that the broader community, including individuals, families, and service users, benefit from a safe, ethical, and professional mental health workforce.

Our members work every day in communities across Australia, providing frontline mental health support, guidance, and care. Many bring their own lived and living experience to their work, helping others navigate their own challenges with empathy and understanding.
A Vocational Mental Health Practitioner is someone who has completed a recognised qualification - such as a Certificate IV in Mental Health, a Diploma of Counselling, or similar - and works in mental health, community, or peer support roles. These practitioners provide essential, community-based mental health services, including:
 
  • One-on-one mental health support
  • Counselling and listening services
  • Assistance with recovery and wellbeing plans
  • Advocacy and referral services
  • Peer support and lived experience engagement
  • Community education and early intervention programs
VMHPAA is committed to ensuring that the practitioners you meet and engage with in your community are:
 
  • Qualified – holding recognised vocational qualifications
  • Professional – bound by ethical standards and national supervision requirements
  • Supported – engaged in ongoing professional development and supervision
  • Accountable – part of a national peak body committed to maintaining quality practice
When you engage with a VMHPAA member, you can expect:
 
  • Respect and confidentiality
  • A focus on your wellbeing and recovery goals
  • Non-judgemental and person-centred care
  • Ethical and culturally sensitive practice
  • A practitioner who is supported by a professional body

For the Community

Our Committment
 

At VMHPAA, we are working to ensure that everyone has access to quality, ethical, and compassionate mental health support - wherever they live, and whatever their circumstances.

How to Verify a Practitioner
 

If you would like to check whether a mental health support worker or counsellor is a current VMHPAA member, please contact us or check our member listing page.

Feedback & Concerns
 

VMHPAA takes complaints and feedback seriously. If you have a concern about the conduct or professionalism of a VMHPAA member, you can submit a confidential complaint via our Feedback & Complaints Process.
 

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