Kindred is grounded in the belief that access to qualified, professional mental health care should not depend on circumstance, postcode, or financial capacity.

Currently, registered counsellors are not included in Australia’s Medicare Better Access arrangements. This creates barriers for many individuals and families seeking timely, preventative support.

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If You’d Like to Take Action

If this issue matters to you, there are simple ways to engage - participation is always optional.

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1. Contact your local Member of Parliament
You may wish to write or email your MP to note that:

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• National standards for counsellors and psychotherapists have now been developed by the Australian Government

• These standards set clear expectations for education, ethics, supervision, and client safety

• Aligning Medicare access with this framework would improve affordability and early access to care

You can download our short template letter or write in your own words.

2. Reference the national standards
When contacting policymakers, you may wish to reference the National standards for counsellors and psychotherapists (October 2025) developed for the Department of Health, Disability and Aged Care.

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3. Stay informed about consultations
Future reviews of the standards will include public consultation. Submissions are typically invited via the Australian Government’s Consultation Hub.

Helpful links:

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• Find your local electorate

• Find your local Member of Parliament

• Australian Government’s Consultation Hub

• Editable letter template

• Kindred blog for updates