National Standards Must Include All of Us – Not Just Some of Us
- Shane Warren
- Jun 8
- 1 min read
Updated: Jun 9
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
8 June 2025
National Standards Must Include All of Us – Not Just Some of Us
The Vocational Mental Health Practitioners Association of Australia (VMHPAA) has submitted a formal response to the Department of Health and Aged Care regarding the Draft National Standards for Counsellors and Psychotherapists.
While we fully support the move toward national consistency and client safety, we raise serious concerns about the exclusion of AQF Level 5 Diploma-qualified counsellors—professionals who have delivered safe, effective, and ethical care across Australia for decades.
Key issues we’ve identified:
No legal basis for excluding Diploma-qualified practitioners from private practice and supervision.
Zero evidence linking higher academic qualifications to better client outcomes.
Potential breaches of anti-discrimination and fair work laws.
Disproportionate impact on women and mature-age workers.
Lack of consultation with VMHPAA and the VET sector.
We call for an urgent redraft of Focus Areas 1.3.1, 1.3.2, and 2.1.7, as well as a full Regulatory Impact Statement and inclusive consultation process.
This is not just about qualifications, it’s about fairness, diversity, and the future of Australia’s mental health workforce.
About VMHPAA
The Vocational Mental Health Practitioners Association Australia (VMHPAA) represents and advocates for vocationally trained mental health professionals. The association is committed to raising professional standards, fostering inclusive practice, and ensuring every practitioner has the tools to support individuals and communities with dignity and respect.
Media Contact:
Philip Armstrong
CEO
VMHPAA
Thank you Philip, it's great to see VMHPAA making waves in the mental health industry in support of the thousands of diploma qualified counsellors who are being pushed out of the industry, despite our years of experience and thriving in a challenging world. Us counsellors survived the Better Access Initiative and proved that there is room for all of us in different disciplines to work together to improve the mental health and wellbeing of Australians. Now we need to rally again ... all counsellors for one Association and VMHPAA fighting for all counsellors.