VMHPAA Welcomes Senator Katy Gallagher’s Support in Raising Concerns on Draft National Standards
- Shane Warren
- Jun 30
- 2 min read
MEDIA RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
30 June 2025
The Vocational Mental Health Practitioners Association of Australia (VMHPAA) is encouraged by the strong support received from Senator Katy Gallagher, who has formally written to the Federal Minister for Health, the Hon. Mark Butler MP, raising our concerns regarding the proposed Draft National Standards for Counsellors and Psychotherapists.
In her letter, Senator Gallagher acknowledged the issues outlined by VMHPAA Chair Shane Warren, including:
The conflict between the draft proposal and the ACT’s Mental Health Workforce Strategy 2023–2033;
The negative impact that excluding vocationally trained counsellors from private practice and supervision would have; and
The risk such exclusions pose to school-based and community counselling initiatives currently underway.
Senator Gallagher enclosed VMHPAA’s original correspondence and has formally asked the Minister to respond directly to the matters raised.
“We are heartened to know that our advocacy is being taken seriously at the highest levels of government,” said Shane Warren, Chair of VMHPAA. “Senator Gallagher’s support reinforces the vital role vocationally trained mental health practitioners play across education, community, disability, and aged care sectors. Excluding them from practice and supervision under the Draft Standards would not only weaken the profession but also directly undermine strategies already adopted by governments to meet the growing demand for mental health support.”
As a recognised peak body, VMHPAA will continue to engage with policymakers to ensure the National Standards reflect the full breadth of Australia’s mental health workforce, ensuring Australians retain access to high-quality, diverse, and community-focused care.
Media Contact:
Shane Warren, Chair
Susan Sandy, Secretary
Philip Armstrong, CEO
VMHPAA
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