Eligibility for Certified Practising & Clinical Registration

PACFA registration is granted to applicants who meet the qualification requirements, follow one of the pathways below, and submit all documents listed in the Application Checklist.

1. Accredited Training Track

For graduates of PACFA-accredited courses.

2. General Track

For graduates of non-accredited courses. To be eligible, your course must meet these minimum requirements:

  • The course must be at an AQF Level 7 (Bachelor degree) or above.
  • You must study over 2 or more years (part or full-time accepted).
  • A minimum of 400 hours of counselling/psychotherapy instruction.
  • 200 hours of direct person-to-person instruction focused experiential practice and skills development.
    • 140 hours must be taught in person, face-to-face.
    • 60 hours may be synchronous online.
  • Placement: minimum 40 client contact hours and 10 hours supervision.

If your course meets these requirements, you can apply with the documents in the Application Checklist. 

3. Transfer Pathway

For current ACA members transferring to PACFA.

4. Overseas Training Track

For graduates with overseas qualifications and a successful assessment from VETASSESS.

Clinical Membership (additional requirements):

  • Graduated over 2 years ago
  • Minimum 750 client contact hours post-graduation
  • Minimum 75 hours of supervision (50% individual)
Read our Application Checklist Read the Registration Journey
Join as a Certified Practising Member Join as a Clinical Member

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. I have a Diploma, am I eligible for membership?

Unfortunately, Diplomas are not accepted by PACFA for practising membership.

2. I studied my course online, am I eligible for membership?

As we require a minimum of 140 hours to be studied in person, fully online courses do not meet eligibility criteria.

3. I studied my course overseas, am I eligible?

Read more about the application process for applicants with overseas qualifications.

4. My course isn’t PACFA Accredited. Can I still join?

Yes — however you will be required to provide detailed documentation to demonstrate it meets PACFA standards.

5. My course doesn't exactly meet the eligibility requirements, but I have significant professional and life experience, and have been regularly completing professional development and insurance. Is there any way I can gain membership?

The Recognition of Prior Learning pathway is on hold pending a review

6. I've studied more than one course, and I think that all together they might meet the requirements - can I still join?

The Recognition of Prior Learning pathway is on hold pending a review

7. What is the difference between Certified Practising New Graduate membership and Certified Practising membership?

There is no difference bar the price - Certified Practising New Graduate membership is at a discounted rate, as we understand counsellors and psychotherapists early on in their career will not have as large of a client base.

8. What is the difference between Certified Practising and Clinical membership?

Both memberships must meet our high training standards, however Clinical membership is for more senior practitioners, who have accrued a minimum of 750 hours of client contact and 75 hours of supervision since they graduated. Most people join as a Certified Practising member and later upgrade to Clinical.