Counsellors – National Redress Scheme
Seeking applications for registration as an approved Counsellor for Counselling and Psychological Care Services
The Department is seeking expressions of interest for registration as an approved counsellor in the Department of Justice’s Approved Counselling Referral Scheme. This Scheme applies to counsellors wishing to be registered for counselling eligible victims of child sexual abuse under the National Redress Scheme for Institutional Child Sexual Abuse.
The National Redress Scheme was created in response to the work of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, which estimated that 60,000 people experienced institutional child sexual abuse in Australia.
The National Redress Scheme provides support to people who experienced institutional child sexual abuse through
- acknowledging that many children were sexually abused in Australian institutions
- holding institutions accountable for this abuse, and
- helping people who have experienced institutional child sexual abuse gain access to counselling and psychological services, a direct personal response, and a monetary payment.
The Scheme started on 1 July 2018 and will run for 10 years.
Where a service provider seeking registration is an organisation and that organisation is a “responsible institution” for the purposes of the National Redress Scheme for Institutional Child Sexual Abuse Act 2018 or a related entity of a “responsible institution” that service provider will not be eligible for registration to provide CPC services to Tasmanian survivors.
Minimum requirements
There are minimum requirements you must meet to be eligible to be registered as an Approved Counselling Service Provider.
Applicants must provide the following:
- Details and evidence of currency of all qualifications and accreditation along with details of Medicare Australia registration, including provider number and services registered to provide from the following
- Psychologist
- Social worker
- Occupational therapist
- Medical Practitioner, or
- Other providers with qualifications and appropriate skills working with trauma associated with child sexual abuse
- Organisation seeking registration for its members must provide details and evidence of the above for each of the individuals seeking registration.
- Details of locations of a practice address, business hours and/or locations at which the Applicant is reasonably able to provide Counselling and Psychological Services.
Applicants seeking registration under the Approved Counselling Referral Scheme will need to demonstrate they meet the National Service Standards for the Provision of State and/or Territory Based Counselling and Psychological Care (PDF, 103.3 KB).
Approval criteria
Each individual service provider seeking registration must:
- Demonstrate an ability to provide counselling to adult victims of child sexual abuse who often have complex trauma symptoms
- Demonstrate currency in trauma-informed professional development, and
- Carry appropriate indemnity insurance.
Checklist
In addition to meeting the approval criteria, Applicants must submit a typed application form and supply the following documents:
- Curriculum vitae for each individual named in the Application seeking registration
- Continuing professional development log for the preceding 12 months
- Current Working with Vulnerable People registration number
- Certified copy of a current national police check
- Copy of driver’s licence or passport, and
- Application Declaration for each individual seeking registration.
How to apply
An application package is available on request by email.
Any requests for an application package or enquiries relating to the registration process, should be directed to the Director, Child Abuse Royal Commission Response Unit, Department of Justice by email at CPC@justice.tas.gov.au.
Where to send you application
The Department of Justice will acknowledge receipt of all applications by email. If you do not receive email confirmation of receipt within four business days, it is recommended that you contact the Department to confirm receipt.
Completed application forms and supporting documentation may be returned to
Email: CPC@justice.tas.gov.au.