ACA onboards HCF, Australia's largest not-for-profit health fund!

Over the past months, ACA has been in discussions with HCF for the purpose of supporting the fund with the onboarding of counselling as a benefit for their members. ACA is pleased to announce that our discussions have concluded, and as of 1 July 2023, HCF now includes benefits towards counselling consultations as part of their extras program to provide their members with additional mental health support, subject to annual limits, waiting periods and any extras package benefits.

What is the eligibility to become a HCF recognised provider for counselling?

Level 3 or 4 membership with ACA
Bachelor of Counselling (AQF Level 7) or Master of Counselling (AQF Level 9)
Current First Aid Certificate (HLTAID003/HLTAID011)
Current certificate of professional indemnity and public liability insurance ($2M cover professional indemnity and $20M cover public liability)
You must be in private practice – this means that you must be in a professional practice (whether as a sole trader, partnership, or group) that is self-supporting where your accommodation, facilities and services are not provided, funded, or subsidised by another party such as a hospital or public funded facility.

How do I apply for a HCF provider number?

Before applying, please ensure you read: HCF Terms and Conditions for HCF Recognised Providers of Extras Services.

Once you have reviewed and agreed to the above, you can apply online through your ACA Member Login, and upload your supporting documents for your application here.

To apply, please log into your ACA Membership Portal and click on 'Private Health Fund Provider Number Application Form'.

Please do not contact HCF to apply for a provider number. All applications are made through ACA through your Member Login page. Once you have completed all parts of your application, we will email you to let you when it has been processed and sent to the fund for processing.

For more information, please download our HCF resources here.