What is Level 2 Membership?

https://www.theaca.net.au/level2-membership.php

A Registered Counsellor Level 2 has graduated from an ACA-accredited course of study in counselling at the following AQF levels. For a list of ACA Accredited courses visit: https://www.theaca.net.au/careers-and-study.php

Eligibility

Diploma of Counselling (AQF level 5) plus 50 hours post qualification supervision
Advanced Diploma of Counselling (AQF level 6) plus 50 hours post-qualification supervision; or
Associate Degree of Counselling (AQF level 6) plus 50 hours post qualification supervision; or
Graduate Diploma of Counselling (AQF level 8) plus 50 hours post-qualification supervision. Please note: A Graduate Certificate in Counselling is not eligible for ACA membership.

For these listed above, they must have completed and provided evidence of a minimum of 50 hours of post-qualification supervision and have been in one year of post-qualification supervised practice at minimum.

Or they have completed:

An ACA-accredited Bachelor of Counselling (AQF Level 7) or a Master of Counselling (AQF level 9) ; or
A non-ACA approved Bachelor of Counselling (AQF level 7) or Master of Counselling (AQF level 9) and has held a Level 1 member for more than 12 months and has accumulated 50 hours or more post-qualification supervision logged in their ACA Account.

What do I need to apply for Membership:

Certificate or Testamur of qualification certified by a JP (Justice of the Peace)
Full Academic Transcript of qualification certified by a JP (Justice of the Peace)
Post Qualification Supervision Letter If completed AQF level 5, 6 and 8.

The ACA Scope of Practice page 15 states: https://www.theaca.net.au/documents/ACA_Scope_combined.pdf

Qualifications: ACA does not accept qualifications in psychology, social science, social work, welfare, mental health, education, theology, genetic counselling, financial counselling, rehabilitation counselling, or hybrid qualifications.

Prerequisites

If you have completed a Bachelor or Master of Counselling, there are no prerequisites to join ACA at level 2.
If you have completed AQF levels 5, 6 or 8 and applying for level 2, you will be required to provide evidence of 50 post-qualification supervision hours with a letter from your past or present supervisor.

If your qualification is more than 5 years old, you will need to provide evidence of working in the field or previous supervision hours to meet the ACA recency clause.

RECENCY: Applicants to the Association with counselling qualifications older than five (5) years and no evidence of clinical supervision, professional development or work experience in a relevant industry may not be suitable for ACA membership.

Applicants holding formal counselling qualifications older than ten (10) years without professional development, clinical supervision and relevant professional practice may not be eligible for ACA membership. New applicants with qualifications over ten (10) years old with no supervised practice, professional development or practice in a related field must complete current formal counselling qualifications.

All applicants facing recency matters will be examined on a case-by-case basis by the ACA Membership Manager – please email the Administration team at admin@theaca.net.au

Recognition of Prior Learning and Qualifications (RPL): In instances where an applicant has used recognition of prior learning (RPL) to gain credit towards their qualification, ACA will accept a maximum of 40% RPL otherwise the qualification will not be recognised by ACA for membership.