Vocational Counsellors Mobilise Nationwide to Protect Their Future Under Proposed National Standards
- Shane Warren
- Jun 12
- 2 min read
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
11 June 2025
Vocational Counsellors Mobilise Nationwide to Protect Their Future Under Proposed National Standards
Australia — 11 June 2025 — A growing wave of concern is building across Australia's mental health sector as thousands of vocationally trained counsellors face the risk of exclusion under the draft National Standards for Counsellors, recently released by the Department of Health and Aged Care (DoHA).
In response, the Vocational Mental Health Professions Association of Australia (VMHPAA) has launched a national petition calling for urgent revisions to the draft, which threatens to disqualify Diploma-qualified counsellors from operating private practices or providing clinical supervision, roles they have competently fulfilled for years.
“The draft standards, if adopted unchanged, will effectively strip Diploma-qualified professionals of their rights to practice independently and supervise others,” said Philip Armstrong, CEO of VMHPAA. “This is not just an attack on a qualification level, it’s a disservice to the communities that rely on them.”
Key concerns raised in the petition include:
Language in the draft that prohibits Foundational counsellors - those typically with Diploma-level qualifications - from working in private practice.
Unclear expectations requiring up to 750 hours of client contact before a practitioner can be endorsed, with no established pathway or employer infrastructure to support this.
A proposed ban on all supervision by Diploma-qualified counsellors, which would force many experienced professionals out of work.
Who This Affects
These changes could disproportionately affect practitioners in regional, rural, and under-served communities, where vocational counsellors often provide the only accessible mental health support.
“Removing vocational counsellors will widen the service gap and leave thousands of Australians without timely support,” Armstrong added.
Call to Action
The petition calls on the DoHA and the Mental Health Working Party to:
Recognise vocational pathways as legitimate and valuable.
Provide clear, fair, and accessible qualification and licensing frameworks.
Include vocationally trained professionals in future consultation processes.
Support and Signatures
Mental health professionals, students, educators, and members of the public are invited to sign the petition and stand in solidarity with Australia's vocational mental health workforce.
📄 View and sign the petition: https://www.change.org/vmhpaa_national_standards
🌐 More information: www.vmhpaa.org.au
About VMHPAA
The Vocational Mental Health Practitioners Association Australia (VMHPAA) represents and advocates for vocationally trained mental health professionals. The association is committed to raising professional standards, fostering inclusive practice, and ensuring every practitioner has the tools to support individuals and communities with dignity and respect.
Media Contact:
Philip Armstrong
CEO
VMHPAA
Comments