VMHPAA Welcomes Kate Chaney MP’s Support on our Concerns with the Draft National Standards
- Shane Warren
- Jul 18
- 2 min read
MEDIA RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
18 July 2025
The Vocational Mental Health Practitioners Association of Australia (VMHPAA) has welcomed the support of Kate Chaney MP, Independent Member for Curtin, following a constructive meeting this week to discuss the proposed Draft National Standards for Counsellors and Psychotherapists.
During the meeting, Shane Warren Chair for VMHPAA outlined the associations deep concerns that the Draft Standards, if implemented in their current form, would:
Exclude thousands of diploma-qualified counsellors from private practice and supervision roles;
Reduce affordable access to mental health care across community and private practice settings; and
Place significant additional strain on already overburdened psychologists and social workers, particularly in regional and underserved communities.
Ms Chaney recognised the serious implications these changes would have for community mental health and wellbeing, and committed to raising her concerns directly with the Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, Emma McBride MP. She has also encouraged the Assistant Minister to meet with VMHPAA to hear firsthand from vocationally trained practitioners.
“We are heartened by Ms Chaney’s engagement and support,” said Shane Warren, Chair of VMHPAA. “Her commitment to elevate these concerns within government demonstrates a recognition that vocationally trained counsellors are an essential part of Australia’s mental health workforce. Excluding them would undermine access to affordable, frontline services for people in electorates across the country.”
As a recognised peak body, VMHPAA continues to call for inclusive, evidence-based standards that protect public safety while valuing the diversity of pathways and qualifications within the profession.
Media Contact:
Shane Warren, Chair
Susan Sandy, Secretary
Philip Armstrong, CEO
VMHPAA
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