Applying to be an Approved Counsellor
Victims Services is currently seeking professionals to add to the list of Approved Counsellors, particularly from rural NSW, and other states. Applicants must either be fully registered as a psychologist in New South Wales (or the equivalent in another state), a member of the Australian Association of Social Workers or a member of the RANZCP.
The Approved Counselling Scheme provides free face to face counselling to victims of violent crimes that have occurred in NSW (section 21 Victims Support and Rehabilitation Act 1996).
There is a list of Approved Counsellors on this website.
The counsellors with the Scheme are social workers, psychologists, clinical psychologists or psychiatrists in private practice who have proven experience in working with victims of crime. They are paid by Victims Services.
Current rates of pay
- Generalist Counsellor - $120/hr (plus GST)
- Specialist Counsellor - $144/hr (plus GST)
- Psychiatrist - $256/hr (plus GST)
Application
For application packages please contact Victims Services or download the package (PDF 280Kb).
Eligibility
Approved counsellors must:
- be a member of either the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP); or
- a member of the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW); or
- be fully registered as a psychologist, with the NSW Psychologists’ Registration Board; and
- demonstrate a minimum of two years experience as a registered provider in their profession; and
- demonstrate currency in the counselling of victims of crime (within the past 12 months); and
- demonstrate currency in professional training and development in relation to counselling victims of crime; and
- identify an ability to assess victims of crime and develop intervention plans.
Other conditions for the approved counsellor
In addition to meeting the approval criteria, counsellors must:
- provide their own professional indemnity insurance
- be available to see victims of crime within 48 hours of first contact for an initial assessment
- agree to abide by their own professional code and the Code of Conduct for approved counsellors
- sign a Statement of Fitness to Provide Counselling
- agree to accept the government determined fee for approved counsellors
- agree to abide by the decisions of the Victims Compensation Tribunal as to who is eligible for counselling
- provide regular reports as required at pre-determined intervals
- not receive payment from any other source for work undertaken on behalf of the Victims Compensation Tribunal.
Approval is provided for three years, subject to the above conditions and will be reviewed at the end of that period.
Approval process
Your application will be considered by the Professional Advisory Panel which is convened on a regular basis to assist the Director, Victims Services. Membership of the Panel includes representatives from:
- NSW Board of the Psychology Board of Australia
- Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists
- Mental Health Branch, NSW Department of Health
- Australian Association of Social Workers
After the Professional Advisory Panel has considered your application and made its recommendation to the Director, you will be advised in writing of the Director’s decision. Should you be successful, you will be sent a Counsellor handbook and also the signed copy of the Memorandum of Understanding for your information. At the same time, your name will be placed on the list of Approved Counsellors.
See also
Applying to be an Authorised Report Writer
Publications for service providers
Presentations from 2009 Approved Counsellors Conference
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