In 2011, PACFA formed a partnership with another peak body for the counselling and psychotherapy profession, the Australian Counselling Association (ACA) and together we have established the Australian Register of Counsellors and Psychotherapists (ARCAP).
ARCAP provides robust self-regulation of the profession, along with PACFA’s and ACA’s professional training standards, codes of ethics and complaints handling processes.
Registrants listed on the PACFA and ACA National Registers are also listed on the ARCAP under various ARCAP registration categories.
ARCAP Counsellors and Psychotherapists have demonstrated that they meet the required training and ethical standards and that they undertake professional supervision and professional development activities annually. They have experience supporting clients from diverse communities and are located in all States and Territories of Australia.
To search for ARCAP Registrants, go to www.arcapregister.com.au.
ARCAP Registration Categories
Division A - PACFA Counsellors, Psychotherapists and Mental Health Practitioners
Provisional Registrants
Provisional Registrants have completed an AQF (7-9) approved qualification of 400 hours of person-to-person counselling and/or psychotherapy training incorporating a minimum of 200 hours of direct instruction and a formal client contact placement which includes 40 hours of client contact with 10 hours of related clinical supervision within the training program.
They undertake a minimum of 20 hours of Continuing Professional Development and 10 hours of Clinical Supervision per year.
Clinical Registrants
Clinical Registrants have completed a further 750 hours of client contact linked to 75 hours of supervision over a minimum of two years and meet ongoing requirements of 15 hours professional development and between 10 and 15 hours of clinical supervision per annum.
Mental Health Practitioners
Mental Health Practitioners are Clinical Registrants who demonstrate that they have met PACFA’s Mental Health Competencies. They demonstrate knowledge and experience of current assessment techniques and interventions in mental health, and an understanding of research and evaluation methods. Some of their ongoing PD and supervision relates specifically to mental health practice.
Division B on ARCAP - ACA Counsellors and Psychotherapists
Level 4
- Has graduated from an ACA accredited course of study at minimum degree level;
- Has a minimum of 6 years post qualification counselling experience, including minimum 1,000 client contact hours;
- Has completed a minimum of 100 hours professional supervision and completes 10 hours professional supervision per annum: and
- Completes 25 Points of ACA approved ongoing professional development per annum.
Level 3
- Has graduated from an ACA accredited course of study at minimum degree level;
- Has a minimum of 3 years post qualification counselling experience, including minimum 750 client contact hours;
- Has completed a minimum of 75 hours professional supervision and completes 10 hours professional supervision per annum; and
- Completes 25 points of ACA approved ongoing professional development per annum.
Level 2
- Has graduated from an ACA accredited course of study at minimum Diploma Level and has a minimum of 2 years post-Diploma professional experience; or
- Has completed 1 year of post-Diploma plus vocational graduate professional experience and has completed a minimum of 50 hours professional supervision;
OR
- Has graduated from an ACA accredited course of study at minimum degree Level and completes 10 hours professional supervision per annum;
- Completes 25 Points of ACA approved ongoing Professional Development per annum.
Level 1
- Has graduated from an ACA accredited course of study at minimum Diploma Level; and
- Completes 25 Points of ACA approved Ongoing Professional Development per annum and completes 10 hours Professional Supervision per annum; and
- Is qualified to provided client support.