Exciting News! ASORC and RCAA have merged
Welcome to the future of Rehabilitation Counselling in Australia!
We are proud to announce a new chapter for the profession of Rehabilitation Counselling. Building on extensive collaborations over the past three years, ASORC (the Australian Society of Rehabilitation Counsellors) and RCAA (the Rehabilitation Counselling Association of Australasia) have merged to create a stronger, more unified voice.
What this means for you:
- Enhanced Support: ASORC offers a wider range of resources and support for Rehabilitation Counsellors, including professional development opportunities, networking events, and advocacy initiatives.
- Continued Commitment: The dedication to upholding professional standards and promoting Rehabilitation Counselling remains a priority.
- Member Services: For information about the profession, membership benefits, and any questions you may have, please contact ASORC at admin@asorc.org.au or 1800 643 155
The merger creates a brighter future for Rehabilitation Counselling in Australia. We encourage you to participate and engage with your professional association to improve understanding of the profession and the unique knowledge and skills of a Rehabilitation Counsellor.
History of Rehabilitation Counselling and the Professional Associations ASORC and RCAA
Rehabilitation Counselling has a long history dating back to post WWII supporting veterans and providing vocational support.
1941 – CRS Australia began operating in 1941, providing vocational rehabilitation and employment related services to the Australian Government and the private sector. CRS Australia was a division of the Department of Human Services (DHS)
1950s - Mid 1970s – Rehabilitation Counselling is recognised as an independent allied health profession internationally from 1950's and from 1970's in Australia.
1974 – The first Tertiary course in Rehabilitation Counselling in Australia commenced at the Cumberland College of Health Sciences (Glebe, Sydney).
1976 – The Society of Rehabilitation Counsellors (SORC) was founded in NSW on the campus of Cumberland College of Health Sciences, by students of the Associate Diploma in Rehabilitation Counselling who completed their first years in 1974, and 1975.
1976-1990 – During this period several people held the role of President in either the original SORC, or in subsequent State Branches of SORC. The list includes Mary Hawkins, Susan Kable, Maurine Edwards, Malcolm Ross, Peter Harris, Judith Laurie, Therese Rein, Josephine Dowsett, Bronte Earl, Peter Scott, Kelly Murray, Stephen Pearce, and Michael Reardon.
2000 – In July, the Society (SORC) was incorporated in the State of NSW as the Australian Society of Rehabilitation Counsellors Inc. (ASORC Inc)
2003 – Rehabilitation Counselling Association of Australasia (RCAA) was established, focussing solely on representing tertiary qualified Rehabilitation Counsellors. The foundations were established by Jocelyn Rennie (President), Vicky MacDonald (Secretary), Nicholas Buys (inaugural Director) and Christine Randall (Treasurer) with contributions from Lynda Matthews (Vice-President), Michael Hancock (inaugural Director), Herbert Biggs (inaugural Director), Nina Williams, Torsten Becht, Dominique Bird and Anna Holder. Legal advice was provided by Grant White and Michael Vickers. Denis O’Keefe, Fran Feldman, Malcolm Ross, and Patricia McLeod were inaugural Directors, and the inaugural Administrator was Susie Glover. The RCAA Constitution came into effect on 6 August 2003.
2004 – The States voted to merge into one National Body under the banner of the Australian Society of Rehabilitation Counsellors (ASORC).
2004 – In January 2004, WorkCover NSW officially recognised that RCAA members with the necessary experience were eligible to provide occupational rehabilitation services under the NSW WorkCover system. Other workers’ compensation authorities and rehabilitation organisations followed.
2005 – The RCAA Code of Professional Ethics for Rehabilitation Counsellors was developed and endorsed from 1 July 2005 and RCAA established international relationships with peak bodies American Rehabilitation Counselling Association (ARCA) and the Vocational Rehabilitation Association (VRA) UK, and national relationships with the Career Industry Council of Australia (CICA).
2017 – On February 6th, the Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC) registered ASORC as a Company Limited by Guarantee under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth).
2021 - ASORC and RCAA signed an MOU to work together and collaborate on specific projects.
2023 – In December 2023, ASORC and RCAA members voted to merge under a single representative banner ASORC to gain full access to the strength and experience of all Rehabilitation Counsellors, from academia and across the industries in which they work.
2024 – RCAA members voted to voluntarily de-register the entity. The merger with ASORC was completed and effective from 1st July, 2024 which means that the merged entity presents a strong, united voice for advocacy at a national level.
A message from the founding members of RCAA
The founding members of RCAA believed in protecting the integrity of the Rehabilitation Counselling profession, recognising it as a profession in its own right which required an association that matched the standards of associations for comparable professions such as occupational therapy, physiotherapy and psychology. To achieve this, RCAA was established as a national and regional body with a membership category for full members with tertiary qualifications in rehabilitation counselling only and student members undertaking tertiary qualifications in rehabilitation counselling.
Building on the productive outcomes of collaborations with ASORC since 2021 a merger was proposed to the members of both ASORC and RCAA and members of both entities voted in December 2023 to merge the two associations.
A message from Directors of the merged entity (ASORC)
The merged entity is able to progress work that enables the profession to continue to meet the current and future needs of consumers, employers, and the community. As a merged entity we will be able to better represent the profession in communications with governments, peak bodies, and industry and will strengthen the profession’s voice in education and practice settings as well as working with industry to address Rehabilitation Counsellor labour shortages in Australia.
The ASORC Board of Directors welcomes your participation and engagement in your professional association to help increase education and advocacy for the Rehabilitation Counselling profession.
It's time to celebrate together!