Online Survey - Development of national standards for counsellors and psychotherapists

Closed 5 Jul 2024

Opened 10 Jun 2024

Contact

MHWorkforce@Health.gov.au

Feedback updated 11 Nov 2024

We asked

Between June and July 2024, we sought your views on national standards for counsellors and psychotherapists. This included feedback on the experience, capabilities, and behaviours expected in these professions.

You said

We received feedback from counsellors, psychotherapists, peak bodies, service providers, consumers, carers, and other interested parties.

From over 30 interviews and 315 written submissions, we heard:

  • Broad support for mandatory national standards to ensure high-quality services.
  • General support for including education and training, supervision, and CPD in the national standards.
  • Strong interest in providing feedback on the draft national standards, once available.

We did

We developed draft national standards based on your feedback and research.

A second round of consultation is now open to gather your views on the draft standards.

You can find a copy of the draft standards and information on how to get involved in consultation here.

Overview

The Department of Health and Aged Care is developing national standards for counsellors and psychotherapists. 

The national standards intend to describe the experience, capabilities and behaviours expected of the counselling and psychotherapy professions. This includes education, supervision, CPD and oversight requirements.

The Department wants to hear from you on your experience as a counsellor, psychotherapist, consumer or representative. You can provide feedback via: 

Online Survey

  • Access the online survey using the link in the 'Give us your views' section below
  • The survey will take approximately 15 minutes to complete
  • Responses are due by the COB Friday 5 July 2024.

Written Feedback Form 

  • The written feedback form can be downloaded to complete offline, see link in the 'Related' section below
  • The form includes similar questions to the survey, allowing respondents to provide a more detailed response in Microsoft Word format
  • Once completed the form can be emailed to NationalStandardsReview@allenandclarke.com.au
  • Responses are due by COB Friday 5 July 2024.

Respondents are not expected to provide responses to both the online survey and the written feedback form. 

Audiences

  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People
  • Seniors
  • Men
  • Women
  • Carers and guardians
  • Families
  • Parents
  • Young people
  • Academics
  • Non-government organisations
  • State government agencies
  • Commonwealth agencies
  • Local governments
  • Health professionals
  • Health workforce
  • General public
  • Community groups
  • Businesses
  • Contracted Service Providers
  • Aged care service providers
  • Aged care workforce
  • Aged care professionals

Interests

  • Mental health