To become a professional supervisor in Australia, you build several years of practice experience, complete a supervision training course that meets your association’s standards, and then apply for its supervisor recognition. Each association sets its own path, and the training is where most of the real learning happens. Supervising is one of the most rewarding steps in a career, because you get to pass on what you have learned in the room.
The path with each association
| Association | Recognition | What it asks of you |
|---|---|---|
| ACA | Registered Supervisor, through the ACA College of Supervisors, or Recognised Supervisor | For Recognised status: eligibility for membership at Level 2 or above, at least 3 years of post-qualification counselling experience, at least 50 hours of post-qualification supervision, a supervisor training course that meets ACA’s standards, regular supervision of your own supervising, and registration with a comparable peak body. Source: ACA Supervision Policy. |
| PACFA | Certified Supervisor, through the College of Supervision | At least 5 years of practice after training, and 3 continuous years as a Registered Clinical registrant or at an equivalent level with a comparable association, along with supervision training that meets PACFA’s Supervision Training Standards. Source: College of Supervision FAQs. |
| AASW | Accredited Supervisor (MAASW AS) | At least 2 years’ full-time equivalent experience in a supervisory setting within the last 5 years, and an application showing how your practice meets the Accredited Supervisor Capability Statement, with a case example. Source: AASW Supervisor credential. |
Choose your training well
A good supervision course gives you a framework for the supervisory relationship, ways to work with ethics and risk, and practice at giving feedback that helps a supervisee grow. Look for a course your association recognises, with live practice and feedback rather than reading alone. If you plan to run groups, ACA’s Scope of Practice asks that you also complete a course in facilitating group supervision.
Keep your own supervision going
Supervisors need supervision too. ACA asks Recognised Supervisors to have regular supervision of their supervising, and PACFA recommends that 5 of a Certified Supervisor’s 15 yearly hours relate to their work as a supervisor. Our guide to supervision on supervision explains more.
Start with the supervisees you understand best
Many new supervisors begin with practitioners in their own modality or setting, where their experience is deepest. Your confidence grows from there.
Sources
The associations’ own documents, checked 16 October 2026.