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Membership Categories and CriteriaPlease review the different grades of membership to determine your eligibility. Fees differ and applicants need to fulfill particular requirements for each grade.
Please note that eligibility for Membership in any grade must not be assumed until a formal application is made and Membership is conferred.
ASORC offers the following categories of membership:
Student Member
This grade of membership is open to students who are undertaking an ASORC accredited Rehabilitation Counselling academic program.
However, Student Membership is not available to students who are also in paid employment in a Rehabilitation Counselling capacity AND who are eligible for another grade of ASORC Membership.
Student Membership does not deem the person to be qualified to carry out certain services under the various accident and workers compensation schemes. A Student Member must not represent himself/herself as a qualified Rehabilitation Counsellor.
Voting rights and membership fees:
Student Members do not have voting rights. However, Student Members may serve on committees and sub-committees, and participate in an advisory capacity on the National Executive.
Student Members are not required to pay an annual membership fee. ASORC offers up to two years free student membership (conditions apply).
Once students have fulfilled the requirements of their academic studies they are no longer deemed to be student members of the Society.
On completion of their Rehabilitation Counselling studies, students will be eligible for Associate Membership which then leads to Full Membership upon completion of an individually tailored competency based supervision program and one year’s relevant employment under the supervision of a Full Member.
Use of post-nominals:
Student Members are not entitled to use ASORC post-nominals.
Affiliate Member
This grade of membership is open to applicants who work, or intend to work, as professional rehabilitation consultants in Rehabilitation Counselling roles, but who do not meet the requirements for Full Membership of ASORC. These roles may include, but are not limited to, Workers Compensation, Motor Vehicle Injury, DEEWR Employment & Disability Services and DEEWR JCA Services.
Head of Workers Compensation Authority (HWCA) as an over-arching body for service provision within Workers Compensation across the nation does not recognise this level of membership within it's Nationally Consistent Approval framework. This body only recognises Full and Associate level membership.
In order to meet specific jurisdictional recruitment needs however, the Affiliate grade of Membership has been accepted by the South Australian Worker’s Compensation authority as meeting the minimum qualifications for service provision within that State's jurisdiction only. Negotiations are ongoing with other State-based Workers Compensation agencies for local recognition of the Affiliate membership category.
Voting rights and membership fees:
Affiliate Members do not have voting rights. However, Affiliate Members may serve on committees and sub-committees, and participate in an advisory capacity on the National Executive.
Affiliate Members are required to pay an annual membership fee.
Applicants will need to demonstrate:
1. An undergraduate (bachelor) degree, graduate diploma or post graduate degrees in a closely allied discipline. Examples of allied disciplines include psychology, social work, behavioural sciences and social sciences.
Please note that there is no set list of degrees, academic disciplines or universities: each qualification is individually assessed upon application.
This qualification must also meet any academic requirement by any relevant Authority (should one exist) governing the Industry in which the Affiliate Member is employed.
2. and;
up to one year's relevant experience (full time equivalent) as a professional rehabilitation consultant in a role deemed as appropriate by ASORC.
Applicants holding undergraduate (bachelor) degree, graduate diploma or post graduate degrees in non-closely allied disciplines need to have been working for no less than 36 months as a professional rehabilitation consultant in a role deemed as appropriate by ASORC. Examples of non-closely allied disciplines include: business studies, human movement, exercise and sports science, and physiotherapy.
Whilst a member of the Affiliate grade, applicants must undertake:
1. Any compulsory training required by any relevant Authority (should one exist) governing their Industry.
2. ASORC accredited Rehabilitation Counsellor University studies.
3. Any professional development training required by ASORC to meet competency standards. This is determined on a case by case basis.
4. A period of professional supervision by an ASORC approved supervisor. This is determined on a case by case basis.
Use of post-nominals:
Affiliate Members are not entitled to use ASORC post-nominals.
Associate Member
This grade of membership is open to applicants who meet the academic requirements but have not yet completed the ASORC supervision program.
Voting rights and membership fees:
Associate Members do not have voting rights. However, Associate Members may serve on committees and sub-committees, and participate in an advisory capacity on the National Executive.
Associate Members are required to pay an annual membership fee.
Standard Pathway
Associate Membership is open to individuals who have completed an ASORC accredited undergraduate (bachelor) degree, graduate diploma or post graduate degree in Rehabilitation Counselling, but who have not yet completed the ASORC supervision program.
To progress to Full Membership, Associate Members must undertake the ASORC national competency based supervision program. This program is normally of 1 year’s duration and is individually tailored to each member. Associate Members are eligible to apply for Full Membership at the successful completion of the supervision program.
Retrospective Supervision
The intention of the supervision provisions is to ensure that prospective members of the Society reach sufficient academic and clinical experience standards prior to becoming a Full Member. ASORC does not generally endorse retrospective supervision, however it may be possible to recognise prior learning/previous work experience where the Associate Member has worked as a Rehabilitation Counsellor under the supervision of a Full ASORC Member or other professional approved by ASORC, as credit towards the competency standards.
Alternative Pathway
Associate Membership is available, at ASORC’s discretion, to applicants who do not have an ASORC accredited qualification but who have a qualification in a closely allied discipline. In addition they do not fully meet the core competency requirements or have sufficient work history in a rehabilitation counsellor/consultant role to qualify for full membership. A supervision program will be individually tailored in both duration and content to each applicant’s circumstances to enable them to progress to Full Membership. The Associate Member will be eligible to apply for Full Membership at the successful completion of the supervision program.
Use of post-nominals:
Associate Members are not entitled to use the post-nominal MASRC until they have achieved Full Member status.
Full Member
Full Membership is open to Rehabilitation Counselling practitioners who meet the relevant qualifications and experience requirements. This is the main category of membership that denotes professional status.
Voting rights and membership fees:
Full Members have voting rights and may serve on the National Executive. Full Members are required to pay an annual membership fee.
Standard Pathway:
For the standard pathway to Full Membership, applicants will have:
1. Completed an ASORC approved undergraduate (bachelor) degree, graduate diploma or post graduate degree in Rehabilitation Counselling and;
2. Worked in an approved position titled as Rehabilitation Counsellor or its equivalent for one year on a full time basis under the supervision of a Full Member of ASORC and;
3. Completed the ASORC competency based supervision program or demonstrated evidence of meeting the standards as laid down in the ASORC competency based supervision program.
Alternative Pathway:
The alternative pathway is available for experienced practitioners whose circumstances do not meet the standard pathway requirements. Alternative Pathway applications are dealt with on a case by case basis by the Membership Committee. Applicants will need to demonstrate:
1. An undergraduate (bachelor) degree, graduate diploma or post graduate degree in an allied field. Allied fields typically include psychology, social work, behavioural sciences, social sciences and health sciences and;
A history of current work in a professional position requiring the use of the Rehabilitation Counsellor core competencies, for a period of at least 3 years full time equivalent.
Please note that there is no set list of degrees, academic disciplines or universities: each qualification is individually assessed upon application.
2. Should an applicant not fully meet the work history or core competency requirements, they may be eligible, at ASORC’s discretion, for Associate Membership and undertake a period of supervision. The duration and content of the supervision program will be individually tailored to each applicant’s circumstances to allow them to apply for Full Membership at the successful completion of the supervision program.
3. Alternative Pathway Membership may also be satisfied by very highly experienced practitioners with other qualifications. Applicants will be assessed by the National Executive Committee on their individual merits.
Use of post-nominals:
Full Members of the Society are entitled to use the post nominal MASRC.
Full Member – Academic Staff
This grade of membership is open to those who lecture in courses or coordinate clinical practice components in Rehabilitation Counsellor academic programs accredited by ASORC.
Voting rights and membership fees:
Full Members – Academic Staff are not eligible to vote, but can hold senior advisory positions on the National Executive
Members are required to pay an annual membership fee. Part-time lecturing/clinical staff will also be considered for this grade of membership.
Academic members do not need to hold formal educational qualifications in Rehabilitation Counselling or to have had specific work experience as a Rehabilitation Counsellor. Such membership lapses on the termination of the person's academic contract.
Use of post-nominals:
Academic Members are entitled to use the post nominal MASRC to indicate professional membership of the Society. This entitlement ceases on the termination of the person’s academic contract.
(Note: acquisition of Full Membership via academic status does not necessarily deem the person appropriate to carry out certain services under the various accident and workers compensation schemes. Evidence of skill in the required area would need to be proven to the appropriate authority).
Life Member
A Full Member who has rendered outstanding service to the Society may be elected by the National Executive to the grade of Life Member.
Voting rights and membership fees:
Life Members retain all of their membership rights and privileges, have full voting rights and may serve on the National Executive. Life members are not required to pay an annual membership fee.
Recommendation of a suitable candidate for Life Membership may be made by a member or group of members. Recommendations must be submitted on a pro-forma available from the National Administration Officer which is to be returned to the National Secretary. The application will be forwarded to the National Executive Committee for consideration, and if approved, endorsement. A two-thirds majority of those members present is required for approval.
Life Members will be presented with a suitably framed certificate, under the seal of the Society and bearing the signature of the president of the Society (or a nominee) at the time of election. No more than three members shall be made Life Members at any one time unless otherwise determined by members present at a general meeting.
Use of post-nominals:
Life members of the Society are entitled to use the post-nominal MASRC (Life Member).
Life members who are Fellows of the Society are entitled to use the post-nominal FASRC (Life Member).
Currently the following are Life Members of ASORC: Josephine Dowsett - appointed 13 July 2006 Trevor Hawkins - appointed 5 May 2006
Fellow Member
This grade of membership may be granted to Full Members who have made a substantial contribution to the profession of Rehabilitation Counselling and have demonstrated a significant commitment to the Society. Over the course of their careers, Fellows will have developed advanced skills above those expected of a career professional.
Voting rights and membership fees:
A Fellow retains all membership rights and privileges, has full voting rights and may serve on the National Executive. Fellows are required to pay an annual membership fee.
Full members may apply for the grade of Fellow of the Australian Society of Rehabilitation Counsellors upon submission of an application which clearly demonstrates that they have met the required criteria. Applications are to be addressed to the National Secretary. The application will be forwarded to the National Executive Committee for consideration, and if approved, endorsement.
The criteria for Fellow Member include:
· Significant involvement in and commitment to the Society at either or both National and State levels and;
· Continuing professional development in the area of rehabilitation counselling, including further study, attendance at conferences and workshops, writing books, articles or similar publications and;
· Level of qualifications, training and experience.
The combination of professional development activities and other contributions to the profession, illustrating ongoing involvement and commitment to ASORC, can be used to gain fellowship points.
Download details of how to accrue accreditation points
Use of post-nominals:
Fellows of the Australian Society of Rehabilitation Counsellors are entitled to use the post-nominal FASRC.
Currently the following are Fellows of ASORC:
Trevor Hawkins - appointed 7 February 2008
David George - appointed 7 February 2008
Jan Collins - appointed 4 July 2009
A Fellow will be presented with a certificate bearing the signature of the president of the Society (or a nominee) at the time of acceptance. There is no limit to the total number of Fellows in the Society nor the number of Fellows that can be proclaimed in any single year.
Honorary Member
On recommendation of the National Executive Committee, Honorary Membership may be granted to any individual who has played or is playing a significant role in the field of Rehabilitation Counselling, or to someone who has made a significant contribution to the advancement of the Society.
Voting rights and membership fees:
Honorary Members do not have voting rights. However, Members may serve on committees and sub-committees, and participate in a senior advisory capacity on the National Executive.
Honorary Members are not required to pay an annual membership fee.
Currently the following are Honorary Members of ASORC:
Stephen Hughes |