Thousands of Counsellors Face Closure - As Australia's Mental Health Crisis Deepens
- Shane Warren
- Jul 12
- 2 min read
MEDIA RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
12 July 2025
In the July 2025 edition of The Australian Women's Weekly, the article "Nowhere to Turn" lays bare a devastating truth: Australia's mental health system is on the brink. Emergency departments are overwhelmed. Suicide rates are rising. Too many Australians, especially women and young people, have nowhere to turn.
At the same time, proposed changes to how counsellors are self-regulated could make the situation far worse. The Draft National Standards for Counsellors and Psychotherapists proposed by the Department of Health & Ageing risk shutting down support right when it's most needed.
"Shutting the door on diploma-trained counsellors now is like closing fire stations during a bushfire - it's reckless and indefensible," said Philip Armstrong, CEO of VMHPAA. "These people are already saving lives. Why would we sideline them?"
"This isn't about lowering quality. It's about protecting the real-world support Australians depend on," added Shane Warren, Chair of VMHPAA.
What's at Stake:
If these standards go ahead:
Thousands of experienced counsellors could be forced to stop working.
Thousands more, newly trained and ready, might never be allowed to start.
Many of these professionals are diploma-qualified and work in communities that have no other services. Blocking them from helping will leave more Australians waiting longer, paying more, or going without.
VMHPAA's Call:
VMHPAA is urging the government to rethink these restrictions and work with the full mental health workforce - including vocationally trained professionals - to find fair and practical solutions. We need a system that ensures quality care without locking out the very people already doing the work.
Media Contact:
Shane Warren, Chair
Philip Armstrong, CEO
VMHPAA
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