VMHPAA Welcomes Ongoing Dialogue with Federal Government on Draft National Standards
- Shane Warren
- Jul 22
- 2 min read
MEDIA RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
22 July 2025
The Vocational Mental Health Practitioners Association of Australia (VMHPAA) has welcomed recent correspondence from the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations, responding on behalf of Ministers Andrew Giles MP (Skills and Training) and Amanda Rishworth MP (Employment and Workplace Relations) to our concerns regarding the Draft National Standards for Counsellors and Psychotherapists.
In the response, the Government reaffirmed its commitment to:
Developing a person-centred mental health system supported by a highly skilled workforce;
Recognising the contribution counsellors and psychotherapists make to suicide prevention and community wellbeing;
Progressing the Draft Standards through consultation with sector stakeholders, including peak bodies, practitioners, consumers, training providers, and service organisations;
Ensuring vocational education and training (VET) pathways are supported through the work of the newly established Jobs and Skills Councils, including HumanAbility, which oversees the care and support workforce.
VMHPAA acknowledges these assurances and remains committed to ensuring vocationally trained counsellors are not unfairly excluded from the workforce.
“We welcome the Government’s recognition of the vital role vocationally trained counsellors play in delivering timely, affordable, and effective mental health support,” said Shane Warren, Chair of VMHPAA. “Our concern remains that the Draft Standards, as currently framed, risk sidelining thousands of highly experienced practitioners who have long served in schools, community health, disability, aged care, and private practice settings. This would only deepen existing workforce shortages and reduce access to care.”
VMHPAA will continue its advocacy with the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing, as well as with HumanAbility, to ensure that vocational education pathways are embedded in the national mental health workforce strategy.
“As a recognised peak body, we stand ready to collaborate with government, industry councils, and community stakeholders to shape standards that protect the public while strengthening, not weakening, Australia’s mental health system,” added Philip Armstrong, CEO of VMHPAA.
Media Contact:
Shane Warren, Chair
Susan Sandy, Secretary
Philip Armstrong, CEO
VMHPAA
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