Member's Section
AACHP information is confidential, must be treated confidentially and must not be uploaded into any AI system unless it has been explicitly approved by the AACHP Committee in writing.
Teletherapy Consent Form
It is essential that, in addition to your standard informed consent form, your clients also complete and sign a Teletherapy consent form if you are working online with them. You can download a customisable teletherapy consent form here.
HCA Registered Hypnotherapist Logo
All practising members of the AACHP listed on the HCA National Register are entitled (and encouraged!) to use the HCA logo in their marketing material and hyperlink it back to the HCA website.
The HCA Registered Hypnotherapist logo can be downloaded here.
AACHP Meetings
The AACHP holds monthly meetings on the fourth Tuesday of the month from 7.30 p.m. to 9.30 p.m. These meetings alternate between CPE Evenings with guest presentations on a range of themes relating to clinical hypnotherapy and psychotherapy and Group Supervision which focuses on issues arising from case histories. All AACHP meetings are publicised well in advance on the calendar on the website.
Committee Meetings are usually held monthly and the minutes are circulated to members.
AACHP Rules of Association
In early 2013, the AACHP was advised by Consumer Affairs Victoria that unless the AACHP Inc. adopted its own set of Rules of Association prior to the 26th November, 2013 it would automatically come under the Model Rules as prescribed in Schedule 4 in the Associations Incorporation Reform Regulations 2012.
Associations Incorporation Reform Act 2012.pdf
Associations Incorporation Reform Regulations 2012.pdf
During consultations with Consumer Affairs Victoria, we were strongly advised to modify the new Model Rules to suit the Association prior to the 26th November, 2013. As a result, the Committee spent several months in consultation, drafting rule changes and obtaining advice and assistance to meet this need.
The "Rules of Association" below were submitted to Consumer Affairs Victoria for approval and registration and were subsequently accepted by same without modification:
- Ensure the Association meets the criteria as described in the PHI (Accreditation) Rules legislation 2008
- Ensure the Association meets the criteria as set down by the Private Health Insurers.
- Provide Associate members with the right to vote on matters of the Association.
AACHP CPE Guidelines
The AACHP CPE Guidelines were revised in 2010-11 and provide considerable flexibility for members. Please click on the link below to ensure that you are following these guidelines to complete the annual CPE requirement as this is essential for maintaining your practising membership.
AACHP Continuing Professional Education Guidelines.pdf
As part of the renewal process each year you will be asked to sign a declaration that you have completed adequate CPE as per the AACHP Guidelines and random audits will be conducted whereby members will be asked to provide evidence of completion of their CPE so please make sure that you keep accurate records of your CPE activities.
AACHP Supervision Guidelines
A revision to the 2011 supervision requirements for practising members came into effect from the beginning of the 2013-14 membership year.
Please read these documents for more information:
2013-14 Supervision Requirements
2013-14 Summary of Revised Supervision Guidelines & Supervision Record Sheet
If you would like to become accredited as an AACHP Supervisor, please complete the following application form:
AACHP Application for Accreditation as a Clinical Supervisor.pdf
Health Fund Provider Numbers
Professional Clinical Members of the AACHP are eligible for provider status with Medibank Private; Grand United Health; Australian Unity Health Limited; Phoenix; RT Health Fund; Westfund Ltd (smoking cessation only); Health Care Insurance Ltd and CBHS so that clients who have the appropriate level of cover with these Health Funds may claim benefits for hypnotherapy services received from AACHP members.
Given the differences in the ways each of these health insurance companies operates, it is suggested that you adopt a one-size-fits-all approach to your invoicing so that your invoices include the following elements:
- Your AACHP Membership Level (i.e. Professional Clinical member)
- Your AACHP Membership Number
- Specify the name and address of the health care provider who provided the treatment
- Specify the IPNs (Individual Provider Numbers) of all the health funds that require and issue an IPN
- Specify the date of treatment
- Specify the person to whom treatment was provided
- Specify the amount that was charged for the service
- Specify the type of treatment provided (NB: If the client is insured with Westfund, rebates are only applicable for smoking cessation)
Medibank Private
AACHP Professional Clinical Members will receive, by email from Medibank Private via the Registrar, an Individual Provider Number (IPN) and instructions on its use, once it is received.
Please read the following terms and conditions carefully:
Eligibility
The list of “Qualifying members” (Professional Clinical Members) is sent monthly to Medibank Private and rebates may only be offered for Hypnotherapy.
Change of Details
You must be sure to notify the Registrar of any changes to your details as soon as possible to ensure your information is kept current. If there is any discrepancy between the information provided by the Registrar to Medibank Private and the information provided by you on your invoices/receipts presented by your clients to Medibank Private, the rebate will not be payable to the client and your name will be removed from the Provider list until such a time as your details are accurate and Medibank Private agrees that your IPN will be reinstated.
To remain on the Professional Clinical Member list, please ensure that your membership fees and CPE requirements are met and that you have a current first aid certificate and insurance. If your insurance or first aid expire you will be removed from the list until the new information is received.
Rules for Receipts
Invoices/Receipts presented to clients wishing to claim a rebate must always:
- Be rendered in English
- Specify the name and address of the health care provider who provided the treatment
- Specify the IPN (Individual Provider Number) of the health care provider
- Specify the date of treatment
- Specify the person to whom treatment was provided
- Specify the amount that was charged for the service
- Specify the type of treatment provided
Revocation of rights of Qualifying Member to use IPN
A qualifying member ceases to be entitled to recognition and ceases to be entitled to use the IPN:
- If his or her membership of the Association is suspended or ceases (for any reason)
- If he or she ceases to hold membership of the Association at the qualifying level
- If the Association’s agreement with Medibank Private is terminated
- Where Medibank Private notifies the individual Qualifying Member of the Association that the particular Qualifying Member’s entitlement is revoked or suspended (and in the case of suspension, the cessation of recognition and of entitlement to use the IPN continues until the Health Fund might, at its discretion, notify the qualifying member or the association that the suspension is ended)
- Unless you are absolutely certain that you have forwarded all documents to the Registrar pertaining to your Professional Clinical Membership (a propos, it is the responsibility of each individual member to keep a record of all documents forwarded to the AACHP and also to be proactive in maintaining currency of insurance and first aid requirements)
- Unless you have first checked with the Registrar that you are on the list of members eligible to receive an IPN (i.e. that you currently comply with all the requirements of Professional Clinical Membership)
Australian Unity
AACHP Professional Clinical Members who meet all AACHP criteria may contact the fund directly on 1800 035 360. They will verify that you are on our list and issue a provider number over the phone. Alternatively they provide us with provider numbers post our monthly reports which we will relay to you.
CBHS Health Fund
AACHP Professional Clinical Members may call the Member Care Centre on 1300-654-123. They will verify that you are on our list and issue a provider number over the phone.
Please be aware also that these health funds require us to confirm our Professional Clinical Membership listing every month so all members need to ensure that they are up-to-date with their membership requirements and fees on an on-going basis.
Phoenix
AACHP members will automatically be added to the Phoenix database as and when a claim for a rebate is received. Please ensure that your invoice includes your AACHP membership level (Professional Clinical) and your AACHP membership number.
RT Health Fund
AACHP members will automatically be added to the RT Health Fund database as and when a claim for a rebate is received. Please ensure that your invoice includes your AACHP membership level (Professional Clinical) and your AACHP membership number.
Westfund Ltd
Offers rebates for hypnotherapy for smoking cessation only. AACHP members will automatically be added to the Westfund database as and when a claim for a rebate is received. Please ensure that your invoice includes your AACHP membership level (Professional Clinical); your AACHP membership number and clearly states that the hypnotherapy treatment provided was for smoking cessation.
Navy Health
Offers rebates for Hypnotherapy. Your AACHP membership is used by Navy Health to verify your status as a provider with them via correlation with the monthly list of all fully compliant professional clinical members provided to Navy Health by the AACHP.
Health Care Insurance Ltd
AACHP members will be added/removed from the HCI database as hypnotherapy providers on the basis of a current monthly list of AACHP Professional Clinical Members. The onus is on the practitioner to ensure currency of membership i.e. if a practitioner is not on the AACHP list (and therefore not on the HCI database), the client will not receive a rebate.
Teachers Health Fund
Teachers Health Fund does not pay any benefits towards Psychotherapy or Counselling at all, only Hypnotherapy.
The correct services must be itemised on the receipt the member presents for their benefit. In order for your clients to claim benefits promptly and correctly, all accounts and receipts must:
- show the name of the patient, date, type and cost of each individual service performed.
- contain the provider number and/or registration number printed on official letterhead; OR
- contain an invoice with a stamped name and address and contact details of the of the provider;
AND
- be fully itemised.
No hand written receipts will be accepted.
Providers are required to keep fully comprehensive treatment records which may be called by the Health Fund for routine audit purposes. If providers do not comply with our requirements, they will be de-recognised as per the de-recognition policy of Teachers Health Fund.
NB: Only Professional Clinical Members are eligible for provider numbers through the AACHP. If you are currently a Certified Member and wish to apply for the free upgrade to Professional Clinical Membership, you may download the application form here. Please also note that your upgrade to Professional Clinical Membership will need to completed in conjunction with your Supervisor. All AACHP Supervisors are familiar with this process and will be able to assist you.
Membership Database & Administration
When should you contact the AACHP?
1. If you've changed your email address
2. If you've changed your practice address
3. If you've renewed your insurance, First Aid or Working with Children check.
4. If any of your contact information has changed.
5. If you are no longer practising.
All requirements for practising membership have a paperwork component which needs to be supplied with your Application/Renewal:
- A copy of your Police Check: The onus is upon the member to provide a copy.
- Adequate evidence of current insurance: A tax invoice for professional indemnity insurance must be provided with an official receipt for payment to constitute evidence of current insurance. Alternatively, you may request from your insurance company (by telephone) a Certificate of Currency, which often they will happily email to you.
- Current First Aid Level 2
- Statement of CPE for the last financial year: All Professional Clinical members are required to maintain a minimum of 20 CPE points per financial year to retain practising membership status. Please note that in the event of an audit you may be required to provide proof of CPE points accrued.
- Your Diploma/s or Certifications: It is a requirement for all new practising members to provide us with copies of their original Diplomas and Certificates for us to retain on file. In subsequent registration years, we require copies of all newly acquired Diplomas and Certificates only.
- Your Working with Children Check: If you work with, or intend to work with, children under the age of 18 years. It is a requirement of membership that all practitioners working with children under the age of 18 years provide us with a copy of your current Working with Children Check. ***
What are the differences between a Police Check and a Working with Children Check?
Police Checks identify and release relevant criminal history information relating to convictions, findings of guilt or pending court proceedings. However, due to spent conviction/non-disclosure legislation and information release policies, there are limitations on the information a Police Check can provide (e.g., the Spent Convictions Scheme stipulates that prior convictions are not to be disclosed where 10 years have passed from the date of the conviction).
As the object of a Working With Children Check is to make an assessment of the level of risk an individual poses to children's safety, Working With Children Checks are more extensive, but also more targeted than Police Checks. For example, Working With Children Checks draw together information from various sources, but may include a primary focus on certain types of offences (e.g., sexual offences, offences related to the harm or mistreatment of a child). In general, Working With Children Checks give consideration to:
- convictions - whether or not they are considered spent or were committed by a juvenile;
- apprehended violence orders and other orders, prohibitions or reporting obligations;
- charges (i.e., where a conviction has not been recorded because, for example, a proceeding has not been heard or finalised by a court, or where charges have been dismissed or withdrawn);
- any relevant allegations or police investigations involving the individual; and
- relevant employment proceedings and disciplinary information from professional organisations (e.g., organisations associated with teachers, childcare service providers, foster carers, and health practitioners).
These requirements are put in place to benefit members. By maintaining these requirements, your association with the AACHP provides you with credible professional worthiness, inclusion on the website as a Professional Clinical member, and the ability to obtain provider numbers from our negotiated Private Health Insurance companies including Medibank Private, which in turn, enables you to provide private health insurance incentives to your clients.
Insurance
It is a requirement of all practising members of the AACHP that their insurance be current at all times. Whilst there are a number of insurance companies that will cover hypnotherapy, please be aware of the "fine print" and make sure that you are adequately covered for all your professional activities.
The AACHP recommends the policy negotiated by the CCH with Insurance Made Easy specifically for hypnotherapists because this policy does include cover for Past Life Regression which has become an exclusion for many other insurance companies.
Please contact Insurance Made Easy directly on 1800 641 260 to obtain more information.
AACHP Logo
Practising members may make use of the AACHP logo in their marketing provided that all such marketing complies with the AACHP Marketing and Media Guidelines. Please hyperlink the AACHP logo back to our website.
AACHP Brochures
Professional & Ethical Conduct
The declaration that you signed on your application/renewal form means that, as an AACHP member, you have agreed to abide by the AACHP Code of Conduct:
Furthermore, all members are expected to adhere to the AACHP Marketing and Media Guidelines:
AACHP Marketing & Media Guidlines.pdf
Should we receive a complaint about your conduct, the complainant will receive the following document from the AACHP:
AACHP_Complaints_Procedure_Information_for_Complainants.pdf
In the event that the complainant formalises the complaint in a statutory declaration, the following procedure will be followed:
AACHP Complaints and Disciplinary Procedure.pdf
Mandatory Reporting Guidelines.pdf
Referral Form Guide for AACHP Therapists:
Fill in the customisable referral form with your details, then print out or email the form to the General Practitioner/s from whom you are seeking a referral.
Should you choose to use the AACHP referral form, it can assist in streamlining the referral process by reducing the administrative workload for GPs and therapists. It also supports compliance with healthcare documentation standards and privacy requirements, improves accuracy and consistency of information and enhances professional communication between therapists, clients, and GPs.
AACHP Newsletters
The AACHP Newsletter is emailed to members each quarter. Please contact the AACHP if you wish to receive the latest edition.
