About Our Memberships
CCAA Membership category training and professional practice requirements for Provisional and Clinical Members are modelled on the basic training requirements set out by PACFA. The specific requirements for each CCAA Membership category are detailed on each individual membership application form and are also summarised below. All members are bound by the CCAA Code of Ethics and Registered Members must satisfy ongoing professional development requirements including clinical supervision for a specified number of hours annually by a CCAA or PACFA Accredited Supervisor or equivalent.
All members, regardless of which category they are registered under, receive a copy of the CCAA journal which is published annually. Registered Members whose basic training meets PACFA’s training standards can apply to join PACFA, when accepted by CCAA at those levels. Once a PACFA Registrant they will be automatically listed on the ARCAP Register.
How do I join
In applying for CCAA membership or affiliation, you will first need to determine which of our Membership/Affiliation categories is relevant to your level of qualification. See below a chart about CCAA Membership levels and click here to compare the full details of our Membership levels or click here if you already know which level of membership you wish to apply for.
If you have completed your training via a pathway that differs from those outlined below, this does not mean you are ineligible to join CCAA, you can still apply through our RPL process.
Likewise, people with the following types of qualifications will need to apply through our RPL process:
- in disciplines such as psychology, hypnotherapy, social work or coaching
- in counselling combined with another discipline
- in specialised disciplines such as drama therapy, music therapy or dance therapy
- those gained from courses delivered solely through online or distance learning
During this process, applicants will be asked to provide details outlining how they have achieved equivalent training and experience. Please refer to our RPL policy document for more information.
If you are unsure whether your qualification satisfies the membership requirements you wish to apply for, please contact our National Office on:
CCAA is a distinctively Christian Professional Association, committed to integrating our Christian faith with our professional practice. We expect our members to be Christian disciples of Jesus Christ.
For every level of membership CCAA also requires:
- Profession of faith in Jesus Christ through agreeing to the Apostles Creed
- Provision of a Confidential Reference of Christian Standing.
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Registered Members
click for details
Diploma Member
The basic training requirements for a Diploma Member are completion of a AQF level 5 Diploma from a Registered Training Provider accredited with ACA.
Diploma members may hold a professional position providing counselling, pastoral counselling or client support as an employee of a church, parachurch or social welfare agency and can advertise their CCAA Membership when applying for this type of employment.
CCAA does not regard a Diploma as providing adequate training to enable a counsellor to work independently in private practice, and recommends that Diploma members do not do so until completing further training. Diploma members are encouraged to undertake further training in counselling.
A Diploma does not satisfy PACFA training requirements, so a Diploma member is ineligible to join PACFA.
Advanced Diploma Member
The basic training requirements are the completion of an Advanced Diploma, Associate Degree (AQF level 6), or a Graduate Diploma (AQF level 8) course in counselling accredited by either ACA or PACFA from a Registered Training Provider.
The course must include a counselling practice practicum. If your Advanced Diploma course does not include a practicum, then you can apply to become a Diploma Member, and once you have completed 40 client contact hours and 10 hours of supervision with a CCAA Accredited supervisor, you can apply to upgrade your membership to Advanced Diploma member.
Advanced Diploma Members become registered voting members of CCAA and may practice professionally as counsellors either in private practice or as employees. They may promote their CCAA Membership publicly and may also advertise their services on the CCAA website under “Find a Counsellor”. Advanced Diploma Members must provide proof that they are covered by professional indemnity insurance or insurance cover from their employer.
An Advanced Diploma or Graduate Diploma does not satisfy PACFA training requirements, so an Advanced Diploma member is ineligible to join PACFA.
Provisional Member
The basic training requirements are completion of a Bachelor Degree (AQF level 7) or Master Degree in Counselling (AQF level 9) that satisfies PACFA basic training requirements that is accredited by either ACA or PACFA from a Registered Training Provider, or their equivalent.
The course must include a minimum of 40 hours of face-to-face counselling or psychotherapy practice (client contact) with 10 hours of supervision (related to client contact).
Provisional Members become registered voting members of CCAA and may practice professionally as counsellors either in private practice or as employees. They may promote their CCAA Membership publicly and may also advertise their services on the CCAA website under “Find a Counsellor”. Provisional Members must provide documentation that they are covered by professional indemnity insurance or insurance from their employer.
Provisional Members whose basic training meets PACFA training standards are eligible to join PACFA as a Member Association Member through their CCAA membership and gain listing on the ARCAP Register.
Clinical Member
Once you have become a Provisional Member, you can progress to Clinical Membership through gaining clinical experience.
The requirements for Clinical Membership are:
- 75 hours of supervision linked to 750 client contact hours in professional practice that is post-training;
- Theological Integration requirement: Reflecting the emphasis CCAA places on integration of faith in professional practice, Clinical membership has an integration requirement that can be met in one of two ways:
- 5 hours of theological integration professional development and 4 hours of supervision with a CCAA Accredited Supervisor with the supervision being focused on the integration of Christian faith and theology with professional practice. OR
- Completion of a basic training course required for Provisional Membership that CCAA recognizes included a significant integration component eg. a dedicated unit on Theological Integration. Check with the Office whether your course is recognized as having an Integration component.
Clinical/Supervisor Member
CCAA accredited supervisors have Clinical/Supervisor Membership The requirements to become an accredited supervisor are:
- Clinical Membership for 3 years;
- completion of supervision training for counsellors or psychologists that is accredited by CCAA, PACFA or AHPRA.
- 10 hours of supervision practice and 2 hours of supervision of supervision by a PACFA or CCAA accredited supervisor.
ALSO
- To become an Integration Supervisor. In addition to being a supervisor you may wish to apply to be an Integration Supervisor. This requires additional proof of theological training such as completion of a Post Graduate course in Theology or Ministry.
- Applications to become a CCAA Accredited Integration Supervisor need to be approved by a CCAA Branch Committee.
Clinical/Supervisor Members receive the same benefits as Clinical Members as well as Accreditation as a Supervisor by CCAA, and being able to list their practice on the CCAA website under “Find a Supervisor”.
Fellow
CCAA highly experienced Clinical Membership who wish to remain connected with CCAA are now being offered the option of becoming a Fellow and moving into semi-retirement as an alternative to retiring.
Requirements:
- CCAA Clinical Membership
- CCAA Membership for at least 15 years
- Minimum 65 Years in age
- Reduced renewal requirements and fee
- Recommendation by a Branch Committee as being in good standing in the profession
- In semi-retirement engaged in professional practice no more than 100 client contact hours per annum
Affiliate Members
Student and Associate (click for details)
Student Affiliate
This level of membership is open to students who are currently enrolled in a basic training counselling course accredited with either ACA or PACFA.
Student Members are not registered members and they are not subject to the CCAA Code of Ethics. Any complaints against a Student Member are to be addressed by their training provider rather than the Association.
Student Members may participate in CCAA PD workshops, Conferences and other activities at membership rates.
Student Membership is not available to Registered Members or other people who are already practicing as counsellors, who may be pursuing higher qualifications in counselling.
Associate
Becoming an Associate with CCAA is open to any professionally qualified counsellor, allied health professional, social welfare worker, chaplain, or worker in pastoral ministry, who wishes to become involved with CCAA. An associate may also be a person who has an interest in the counselling profession, but may not have undertaken formal training in counselling.
The requirement for becoming an Associate are: professional qualification or work in a profession or field related to counselling including; counselling, psychology, social work, education, pastoral ministry, or specialist ministry related work.
An Associate:
- May participate in CCAA PD workshops, Conferences and other activities at membership rates;
- Is not a Registered Member of CCAA with voting rights;
- May list being a CCAA associate in his or her CV or resume in support of seeking employment.
An Associate may not advertise his or her counselling services in the CCAA website “Find a Counsellor” or publicly advertise him or herself as a professionally qualified counsellor who is a CCAA member.
For further information on joining CCAA
Compare our membership/affiliation categories
Commence your application.