Code of Ethics, Practice, and Conduct

Ethical standards are important in promoting safe and professional counselling practices. These are important in order that members/registrants deliver a professional level of service that caters for the best interests of their clients, and the public at large.

1. The Australian Counselling Association (“the ACA”) has been established to;
(a) To provide an industry-based Association for persons engaged in counsellor education and practice.
(b) To monitor, maintain, set, and improve professional standards in counsellor education and practice.
(c) To be a self-regulatory body to provide for registration of members and to provide a mechanism for dealing with complaints about members.
(d) To liaise with Government for the benefit of members and the public.

2. Membership of the ACA commits members to adhere to the ACA Code of Conduct. The Code of Conduct applies to counsellors work related activities. It includes the clinical or counselling practice as well as research, teaching, supervision of trainees and other activities that relate to the overall general training and employment of the counselling profession.

3. The Code of Conduct is intended to provide standards of professional conduct that can be applied by the ACA and by other bodies that choose to adopt them in Australia. Depending upon the circumstances compliance or non-compliance with the Code of Conduct may be admissible in some legal proceedings.