This page outlines VETASSESS's Psychotherapy and Counselling Qualifications Assessment, which evaluates overseas qualifications against the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) and optionally against PACFA Registration Standards for membership eligibility.
Important note
This assessment is specifically for PACFA membership support and is NOT for migration purposes. If seeking migration skills assessment, refer to Skills Assessment for Migration. A successful qualifications assessment does not guarantee PACFA membership approval. Missing documentation may delay processing. Forged, altered, or falsified documents will not be assessed and no refund will be provided. All documents will not be returned. A review option is available if applicants disagree with unsuccessful outcomes (must be requested within 90 days of original decision). Contact PACFA directly to contest PACFA registration standards and criteria.
Eligibility Criteria
6 criteria- Must hold a qualification in Psychotherapy or Counselling
- Must be referred to VETASSESS by the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA)
- Qualification must be equivalent to an AQF Bachelor degree or higher (AQF levels 7-9)
- Qualification must have official recognition by relevant educational authorities in the country of award
- If applying against PACFA Registration Standards, must meet minimum training requirements: 400 hours of instruction minimum, including at least 200 hours of direct person-to-person instruction (140 hours face-to-face), plus minimum 40 hours of client contact placement with 10 hours of supervision (5 hours individual, one-on-one)
- Employment experience cannot compensate for lack of formal qualification
- Application fee payment
- Primary identity document: certified copy of passport or birth certificate
- Additional photo ID (certified copy) if passport not submitted
- One recent passport-size photograph
- Name change documentation if applicable (e.g., marriage certificate - certified copy)
- Certified copy of qualification award certificate in original language
- Certified copy of full academic transcript showing subjects studied and marks/grades in original language
- If applying against PACFA Registration Standards: Copy of course handbook/syllabus or other document describing each unit of study
- If applying against PACFA Registration Standards: Completed verification form for supervised practice
- English translations by registered translation service (if documents not in English)
- Additional requirements for European qualifications: Diploma Supplement if available
- Additional requirements for Philippines: Evidence of passing Professional Regulation Commission's Licensure Examinations if available
- Additional requirements for Lebanon: Evidence of approval by Equivalence Committee of Ministry of Education and Higher Education
- Additional requirements for China: Verification through VETASSESS's Chinese Qualifications Verification service