Our Story
At IAAMHP, we are dedicated to building a unified and collaborative mental health community where all qualified professionals—both regulated and non-regulated—can be meaningfully integrated within an inclusive professional framework. Our goal is to strengthen the sector through collective advocacy, complementary expertise, and mutual respect. By acknowledging the value of each profession, we seek to promote a coordinated referral system, ensure clients are directed to the most appropriate support, and encourage professional development across disciplines. We aim to contribute to the advancement of the mental health industry so that clients receive the highest standard of care, and practitioners have the opportunity to thrive through cooperation and shared purpose.
While we recognise and respect the distinctions between regulated and non-regulated mental health professionals, we also acknowledge that many non-regulated practitioners—such as psychoanalysts, art therapists, behaviour support practitioners, and counsellors—often face structural and professional challenges, including limited recognition and inconsistent pathways to practice. These issues may contribute to inequities in access to opportunities, variation in service quality, and concerns around professional vulnerability. Our focus is to encourage ongoing dialogue, work towards greater alignment in standards, and advocate for systems that support all qualified practitioners, particularly those working with vulnerable clients.
IAAMHP supports the development of a more consistent and transparent regulatory environment that upholds both public and professional safety. We promote a collaborative, rights-respecting approach that aligns with principles of fairness, inclusion, and lawful professional conduct. Our advocacy is rooted in the belief that enhancing clarity, ethical accountability, and sector-wide cooperation will benefit not only mental health professionals but also the clients and communities they serve. Our story is one of unity, respect, and positive progress for the future of mental health care in Australia.
Mental Health Landscape
The mental health industry in Australia is often divided into two sectors: regulated and non-regulated professionals. The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) serves as the national regulatory body overseeing mental health and health practitioners. Regulated Health Practitioners, such as but not limited to psychiatrists, general practitioners, psychologists, and mental health nurses, operate under AHPRA's guidance. Before becoming Health Practitioners, regulated individuals undergo a strict regulatory process, which includes the verification and assessment of their qualifications, police clearances, and scrutiny of their conduct, ensuring they meet the professional standards set by AHPRA, which is a statutory body that can take disciplinary actions against the practitioners as per the National Law. These regulated professionals must maintain these standards and obligations throughout their careers to continue practising. Once registered, they are subject to the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law and must adhere to the ethical and professional guidelines and obligations expected by AHPRA to remain in good standing as registered practitioners.
>The Self-Regulated Path for Non-Regulated Professionals
Non-regulated professionals such as, but not limited to, social workers, accredited mental health social workers, counsellors, psychotherapists, psychoanalysts, and behaviour therapists can still practise efficiently through self-regulation. It is not necessary for them to be registered with any reputed professional associations such as AASW, APS, AAPI, CWA (formerly ACWA), PACFA, and similar others to practise their profession. However, some of these professionals choose to join non-statutory professional associations and bodies to advocate for their profession and maintain standards within their field through a self-regulatory framework, while others opt to maintain their practice through professional self-regulation.
>Challenges in Navigating Multiple Peak Bodies
In Australia, numerous peak bodies exist for mental health professionals, which can overwhelm both practitioners and clients. These non-regulated norms and practices may create confusion about what entitlements and obligations these professionals have for the public, as they may be even confusing for professionals themselves to understand, let alone for clients. Clients may misunderstand or be misled by the non-regulated mental health industry when they see terms such as "accredited" and "registered" used by those from the non-regulated mental health industry. Registering or getting accredited with a non-statutory professional body or association does not make a professional automatically qualified and eligible to become a regulated or a registered practitioner under AHPRA or any similar statutory body. Only certain professions and their boards are approved by AHPRA as of now, which you can see here: AHPRA National Boards. Other non-statutory peak bodies are governed by their own constitutions.
>Our Mission at IAAMHP
At the Inclusive Australian Agency of Mental Health Practitioners (IAAMHP), we believe that both sectors have an essential role to play in creating a comprehensive mental health landscape. Our mission is to become the national peak professional body, dedicated to maintaining high standards of practice, ethics, and qualifications within the mental health field. Founded with a vision for positive change, IAAMHP advocates for equal opportunities and fairness for all mental health practitioners. We are committed to recognising and supporting practitioners based on their qualifications, experience, and dedication to improving the lives of their clients and the wider community. While we understand that every mental health practitioner brings unique skills and perspectives, our goal is to ensure that their profession is represented with integrity, transparency, and honesty, enabling them to provide better services for their clients and the wider community.
Bridging the Gap Between Regulated and Non-Regulated Professionals
One of the core challenges we face is bridging the gap between regulated and non-regulated professionals. While both play vital roles in mental health care, IAAMHP believes the disparity in recognition and support needs to be addressed without bias and with integrity for similarly qualified professionals. We also advocate for the same regulatory and statutory requirements for all mental health practitioners in Australia and view this as a key part of our mission. Our goal is to foster collaboration, mutual respect, and support between these two groups, helping to break down barriers and unite them for the greater good.
>Empowering Mental Health Professionals
We are deeply committed to promoting professional integrity and ethical conduct across the mental health sector. By doing so, we believe that both regulated and non-regulated professionals can complement one another’s efforts, collectively raising the standards and impact of mental health services. At IAAMHP, we strive to cultivate an inclusive, effective, and collaborative mental health landscape where all professionals are empowered to make a meaningful difference. Through ongoing support, advocacy, and a shared commitment to high standards, we are determined to ensure that every mental health professional—regardless of their designation—has the tools and resources to positively impact their clients and the wider community.
>A Stronger, United Mental Health Community
Together, we believe we can build a stronger, more united mental health community, working toward a future where every individual receives the care and support they deserve.
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