Leave of Absence

Leave of absence from registration with PACFA is available where practitioners cease practising as a counsellor or psychotherapist for a limited period of time.

Leave may be taken for a period of up to three years. 

Leave of absence will only be granted where a valid reason is provided, such as going on parental or study leave, compassionate circumstances, extended travel, or serious illness.

  • Leave will not be granted in situations where a member is seeking to avoid their obligations to meet the annual requirements for professional development and supervision. 
  • If you have been non-practising for a period of time in the renewal year, you may submit a Leave of Absence application for retrospective leave. Once approved, your renewal requirements will be pro-rated accordingly.

During an approved Leave of Absence, registrants must not undertake any client contact for the full duration of the leave period - this includes any form of client contact, whether paid or volunteer - and extends to all forms of client contact.  

For further information, review the PACFA Leave of Absence Policy. 

While on leave: 

Registrants are not permitted to advertise themselves as a PACFA registrant while on an approved leave.

Renewal requirements

While on approved leave, registrant is not required to meet the annual CPD and Supervision Register renewal requirements for that period.

However, you are expected to complete the required Continuing Professional Development and Supervision for the portion of the year prior to commencing your leave. Please note that the Recency of Practice requirements continue to apply and are not paused during leave period. 

Provider Numbers

When you are on leave and not providing counselling or psychotherapy services, your provider number(s) will be closed for the duration of that period. Upon your return, you may reapply by submitting the required application forms. 

Insurance

If you are taking a Leave of Absence, it is important to ensure that appropriate Professional Indemnity Insurance is maintained for the duration of your leave. Although you may not be practising during this time, claims can still arise in relation to services or advice provided prior to your leave.

Registrants are encouraged to contact their insurer directly to confirm the type and level of cover required, as insurance arrangements may vary depending on individual circumstances.

Apply for Leave of Absence

There is an application fee of $150 (inc. GST). The fee covers administration costs for applying to go on leave and reactivating your registration when you return from leave.

Following full implementation of the Recency of Practice Standard at the 2028 renewal:

  • Registrants may be required to demonstrate completed practice hours prior to submitting a leave application.
  • Registrants who have been on an approved leave of absence for more than three years may be required to meet the Resumption of Practice Standard when applying to return from leave.

The current leave of absence and return from leave of absence process remain the same. Additional information will be released before the 2028 renewal. 

Returning from Leave of Absence

To return from Leave of Absence, complete the below application form and provide the following:

  1. Evidence of current and adequate Indemnity Insurance
  2. Evidence of Nationally Co-ordinated Criminal History Check obtained within the last two years
  3. Evidence of Working with Children Clearance (if applicable)
  4. Evidence of Current Member Association Membership (if applicable)

Application to Return from Leave of Absence

Subsequent Membership Renewal

At the next renewal period after you return from leave, you will be required to provide evidence that you have met the supervision and professional development requirements for renewal.

This could be made up as follows:

  1. Evidence that you met the requirements in full in the 12-month period immediately prior to renewal; or
  2. Evidence that you partly completed the renewal requirements prior to going on leave, and that you have completed the balance of the requirements since returning from leave. For example, if you went on leave six months into the renewal period, approximately half of the required supervision and professional development should have been completed prior to leave, and the remainder upon return.