Join the Leading Body

For Tertiary Qualified Counselling Professionals

Become a Member of PACFA

Explore our Membership Options:

FREE /YEAR

Student Membership

Student membership is free for all students completing a counselling and/or psychotherapy course. As a student member, you will be eligible for free insurance for your placement(s), our digital publications, and access to discounted professional development provided by our expert community of members.

Some key benefits:

  • Professional Indemnity Insurance
$ 318 /YEAR

Certified Practising (New Graduate)

Have you completed your studies within the last two years? This membership has the same benefits as our early career or practising category, new graduates benefit from a reduced fee (25% discount in first year of membership) to support you at the beginning of your career.

Some key benefits:

$ 426 /YEAR

Certified Practising

If you are a practitioner who has finished your training more than two years ago and have not accrued the minimum 750 hours of client contact and 75 hours of supervision to meet the standards for clinical membership, then this level is for you.

Some key benefits:

Registered Clinical Badge
$ 426 /YEAR

Registered Clinical

PACFA’s highest level of membership, you completed your studies more than 2 years ago and have accrued a minimum of 750 hours of client contact and 75 hours of supervision since completing your studies.

Some key benefits:

$ 213 /YEAR

Academic Member

An educator in the field of counselling and/or psychotherapy, you will be contributing to the field through research and education.

FREE /YEAR

Member Association

If you are a Certified Practising member of one of PACFA’s Member Associations, you can apply to PACFA to be listed on our register as either Certified Practising or clinical and receive PACFA member opportunities.

Transferring your Membership from ACA?

Join us Today

Starting your career as a counsellor can be a stressful situation. Understanding registration, working out how to meet your CPD requirements and finding a job are big tasks.

PACFA is here to help you get started. If you have not already joined as a student member, it's not too late: student membership is free and includes free insurance for placements.

If you have recently graduated, or recently started looking for work as a counsellor, applying for registration is a straightforward process.

PACFA has Australia’s highest standards for registration as a counsellor as our members are qualified Allied Health professionals. All PACFA members start as a Certified Practising Counsellor.

Our membership includes discounted and free access to CPD events run by experienced counsellors across Australia through our branch network. You can meet all your CPD requirements through these events, or you can purchase CPD from our endorsed programs. PACFA does not funnel members into costly subscriptions with other commercial CPD providers.

Due to our not-for-profit status, and federated history, PACFA has access to the best value professional indemnity and public liability insurance for registrants. Check our competitive pricing.

Importantly, PACFA has a strategic approach to advancing the profession by aligning it with other Allied Health professions and building relationships within the mental healthcare sector. PACFA does not allow less qualified counsellors to undermine our tertiary-qualified registrants. PACFA encourages all people seeking to provide talking therapy to ensure they are qualified at an appropriate level to build credibility, ensure they can support complex clients, and ensure community safety.