VMHPAA Welcomes ACT Government’s Acknowledgement of Vocational Mental Health Practitioners
- Shane Warren
- Jul 15
- 2 min read
MEDIA RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
15 July 2025
The Vocational Mental Health Practitioners Association of Australia (VMHPAA) has welcomed correspondence from ACT Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Education and Early Childhood, Yvette Berry MLA, in response to our concerns regarding the Draft National Standards for Counsellors and Psychotherapists.
In their letter, Minister Berry acknowledged:
The vital contribution of the vocational education and training (VET) sector in preparing a skilled mental health workforce to meet community needs,
The important role of professional associations such as VMHPAA in advocating for and supporting vocationally trained practitioners, and
The fact that while ACT public schools predominantly employ psychologists, social workers, and youth workers, school systems in other jurisdictions engage counsellors in a broader range of wellbeing and support roles.
“We are heartened that the ACT Government has recognised the essential contribution of vocationally trained counsellors and the advocacy work of VMHPAA,” said Shane Warren, Chair of VMHPAA. “This acknowledgement strengthens our call for National Standards that are inclusive of the full breadth of the mental health workforce, particularly vocationally trained practitioners who play a frontline role in schools, communities, and health services across the country.”
While the ACT Education Directorate did not provide a submission on the Draft Standards, rather deferring to the ACT Health Directorate to do so; Minister Berry’s response reflects a clear recognition of the importance of vocationally trained practitioners in meeting diverse community needs.
VMHPAA will continue to work with governments at all levels to ensure that future standards safeguard, rather than exclude, the skills, expertise, and lived experience of vocationally trained counsellors and psychotherapists.
Media Contact:
Shane Warren, Chair
Susan Sandy, Secretary
Philip Armstrong, CEO
VMHPAA
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