top of page

This is your opportunity to have a voice!!

We advocated for recognition of Vocationally Qualified Counsellors, and with your help, we fought hard to win recognition for YOU !!

The fight isn't over ... AND we haven't WON ...YET!

BUT ... NOW YOU NEED to do YOUR bit ... this consultation is extremely important ... and may be Your last chance to have your voice heard!

SAVE your extremely important role in the mental health sphere and SAVE Vocational Qualification JOBS for the Future NOW!

 

The Department’s discussion paper outlines three broad regulatory approaches currently being considered:

​

  1. Voluntary regulation (self-regulation)

  2. Contract-based regulation (requirements tied to government funding/commissioning)

  3. Statutory regulation (licensing/registration backed by legislation)​

To help you navigate this survey in alignment with VMHPAA's position, we have created a word document for you to download and review before you submit your survey responses.

However, we ask that you please take the time to review our reasoning for our position ...

VMHPAA's position 

 

VMHPAA supports a model that protects the public and lifts practice quality, while also protecting access to care especially in regional/rural Australia and in low-cost community pathways.

​

Our strongest view remains that the most workable option, particularly for vocationally trained practitioners, is strengthened self-regulation (voluntary regulation), supported by:

  • clear national practice expectations (the Standards)

  • robust membership/credential pathways, supervision expectations, and ethical accountability

  • a public-facing way for consumers and employers to identify practitioners who meet the Standards

  • smart “baseline safety nets” via existing complaints mechanisms for unregistered health workers

​

Here’s the key wisdom we want members to hold onto:

  • Standards are not the enemy. It is in implementation where harm (or good) happens.

  • Regulation should be proportional to risk. Over-regulating counselling can unintentionally create higher costs, heavier admin burdens, and workforce loss.  Vitally, regulation can only work if vocationally qualified counsellors are included in the workforce.

  • Access is a safety issue. When people can’t access timely, affordable support, harm increases, especially outside metro areas.

  • Self-regulation can be strong. It can lift quality quickly without shutting the doors on the existing workforce.

Please download your important review document here!

bottom of page