The Counselling and Psychotherapy Program Coordinator can assist you with any PACFA registration questions.
PACFA Registration Options
The Master of Counselling and Psychotherapy is PACFA accredited. As such direct applications for PACFA membership are very straightforward once you graduate. See: Join – Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia.
If you would like to join PACFA once you graduated from our masters, please apply for the Master of Counselling & Psychotherapy Letter of Completion here: Official Letter or Transcript Request | Cairnmillar EForms as part of the application process. Follow PACFA’s checklist to see what other documentation you may need to apply for membership as a Certified Practising Counsellor: Application check list – Accredited Training Pathway – updated.pdf
The Graduate Diploma of Counselling and Psychotherapy on its own does not guarantee eligibility for PACFA membership. While the course may meet many of PACFA’s training standards, PACFA requires that training be at least two years in duration and that applicants also have relevant additional education and/or experience in counselling, psychotherapy, or a related field.
Students who complete the Graduate Diploma part-time over two years and who also have other relevant qualifications or professional experience may be eligible to apply for membership via PACFA’s Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) pathway. However, eligibility is assessed solely by PACFA, and the Cairnmillar Institute does not determine or assess student eligibility for PACFA membership.
Additional documentation, evidence, and fees may be required as part of PACFA’s RPL application process. You can refer to PACFA’s RPL FAQ for further information on what may be required. Please follow these links to learn more:
1. Registration Standard CertPrac 2023.pdf
2. Eligibility – Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia
Document Requests for PACFA RPL Registration Pathway
If you would like to apply for PACFA membership through their PRL registration pathway, you can request a Graduate Diploma Letter of Completion. This letter includes detailed information about the course and the placement unit you completed. To request the letter, please go to: Official Letter or Transcript Request | Cairnmillar EForms
When preparing your documents for PACFA membership, please also request an Academic Transcript with the course completion statement. You can find instructions here: https://my.cairnmillar.edu.au/knowledgebase/how-do-i-get-a-copy-of-my-academic-transcript/ “
Academic Transcript with completion Statement for PACFA
When preparing your documents for joining PACFA, please request the Academic Transcript with the course completion statement. See: https://my.cairnmillar.edu.au/knowledgebase/how-do-i-get-a-copy-of-my-academic-transcript/
Additional Advice
For further advice, contact your Course Coordinator.