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Revised minimum qualification pathways

As part of the Responsible Gambling Funds (RGF) minimum qualification program for problem gambling counsellors, the following pathways have been developed to ensure the recognition of a range of relevant qualifications and to provide flexibility in meeting these minimum standards.

These revised minimum qualification pathways consist of 4 separate pathways to meet the minimum standard for current problem gambling counsellors.

Pathway 1 – Problem gambling counsellors with a post-graduate qualification in problem gambling counselling.
Problem gambling counsellors meeting Pathway 1 will not be required to undertake recognition of prior learning or further training.

Pathway 2 – Problem gambling counsellors with:

professional membership with the NSW Psychologists Registration Board, the Australian Association of Social Workers, the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists or the Psychotherapists and Counsellors Federation of Australia; OR
one of the following qualifications

Masters or higher qualification in Clinical Psychology,
Bachelor or higher qualification in Counselling,
Bachelor of higher qualification in Social Work; OR

a relevant degree (eg psychology, social studies, welfare, nursing, theology, education) majoring in counselling; OR
a relevant degree (eg psychology, social studies, welfare, nursing, theology, education) and a diploma or higher qualification in counselling.

Problem gambling counsellors meeting Pathway 2 will be required to complete the three problem gambling counselling competencies through either recognition of prior learning or further training.

Pathway 3 – Problem gambling counsellors with a relevant degree (eg psychology, social studies, welfare, nursing, theology, education).

Problem gambling counsellors meeting Pathway 3 will be required to complete the three problem gambling counselling competencies and five counselling competencies through either recognition of prior learning or further training. Recognition of prior learning is advised only for workers with two or more years experience in counselling.

Pathway 4 –Problem gambling counsellors without relevant degree.

Problem gambling counsellors meeting Pathway 4 will be required to complete the Diploma of Problem Gambling Counselling through training and/ or recognition of prior learning. Recognition of prior learning is advised only for workers with two or more years experience in counselling.

The Minimum Qualification Working Group will consider individual cases brought to its attention where there is any uncertainty, or dispute, about the particular pathway into which a counsellor falls.

For further information or clarification on the pathways, please contact Stephen Thomas, Project Officer, Education and Training, RGF Branch on 9995 0360 or at stephen.thomas@olgr.nsw.gov.au