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FAQ for the training for mental health practitioners initiative

Please read this FAQ as it may answer your question.

1. Am I eligible for the Training Initiative?
2. Are intern/probationary psychologists eligible?
3. Hospital or defence employee eligibility?
4. I don’t have veteran cases but can I still participate?
5. When will the training be held in my area?
6. When will I be told if I have a place in the training?
7. I would like to register for training
8. Will there be a workshop in my local community?
9. Can I be involved in just the teleconferences?
10. Do I have to go in person to each Workshop?
11. Re: Duration of the training
12. Will my travel and accommodation fees be paid?
13. I can’t make it to the workshop nearest to me. Can I attend another one instead?
14. What PD points are available for this training?

Am I eligible for the Training Initiative?

If you fit one of the categories below then you are eligible.

• a psychologist or social worker who is a registered provider with the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) or the Veterans and Veterans’ Family Counselling Service (VVCS).
• a VVCS staff member involved in a quality assurance and/or care coordination role for clients receiving a service from contracted providers
• a DVA employee or contractor monitoring quality assurance of services provided by DVA registered providers

You are also eligible if you are:

• a registered psychologist in private practice,
• a social worker, in private practice and accredited as a mental health provider by the AASW,
• an allied health worker providing mental health interventions in state funded drug and alcohol community services and community health services,
• a psychiatrist

AND are either

• currently working with Veterans/Current ADF members, or
• intending to work with this client group in the future and are willing and able to start working with Veterans/Current ADF members during the initiative.

Are intern/probationary psychologists eligible?

No. Unfortunately intern or probationary psychologists are not eligible. We would like for as many people as possible to benefit but there are a limited number of places and such provisional or intern psychologists cannot be accommodated in the DVA Training for Mental Health Practitioners initiative.

Hospital or defence employee eligibility?

This initiative is aimed at secondary care providers who work in the community. Hospital and defence employees are therefore not eligible. If they also do private practice work they may apply in this context. Amount of time spent in private practice should be indicated on the application form.  

I don’t have veteran cases but can I still participate?

Theoretically, yes. People who do not currently have a veteran caseload will be offered places if available. However, please carefully consider before applying that:

• The training is specifically around veteran issues, veteran presentations and veteran treatment. If you are not deeply committed to this population you may find the training is not beneficial.
• The case consultations your Collaborative undertakes will be most relevant if you have some veteran cases to discuss. If you don’t have current cases at present you will be encouraged to find some during the implementation phase. If you do not currently work with veterans or intend to do so during the 9 month duration of this initiative then you should seriously consider if this training is appropriate.
• If you are interested in developing your practice in the area of veterans mental health then registering as a provider with DVA and/or VVCS as well as attending this training is an excellent way to do this. 

When will the training be held in my area?

Please see the calendar.

When will I be told if I have a place in the training?

1 month before the date of the workshop. The applications for each workshop close a month before, then we will review all applications, select participants, and notify everyone immediately. Sorry we cannot advise on your application outcome before then.

I would like to register for training

The first step is to register an Expression of Interest on this web-site to ensure that you recieve email updates as the initiative progresses. Please enter the details via the on line form, then click the “submit” button. After this you will need to complete the application form which can be downloaded for your region here. Please fax or post it back to ACPMH by the closing date.

Will there be a workshop in my local community?

The training workshops will take place in the 15 places listed, not every town or community. The implementation activities are a very important part of the process, and will happen at thelocal level, but the workshops will be the main event to start off the learning cycle. You will need to travel to one of these places to attend workshops.

Maroochydore-Caloundra (QLD)              
Adelaide (SA)   
Frankston & Peninsula (VIC)       
Canberra (ACT) 
Sydney (NSW) 
Darwin (NT)      
Hobart & Launceston (Tas)     
Perth (WA)       
Northern Victoria/ Seymour (VIC)
Brisbane (QLD) 
Newcastle & Central Coast (NSW)         
Geelong & SW Victoria (VIC)     
Northern Rivers Region (NSW)   
Townsville (QLD)           

Can I be involved in just the teleconferences?

You need to commit to attending both workshops in person. The Interim phone hook-ups are part of the implementation activities. It would not be plausible to join in on implementation without having had the training.

Do I have to go in person to each Workshop?

You need to commit to attending both workshops in person. The Interim phone hook-ups are part of the implementation activities. It would not be plausible to join in on implementation without having had the training.

Re: Duration of the training

The initial Workshop lasts 2 days, the second workshop lasts one day.

• Workshop 1 (two days)
• 6 x monthly teleconferences & implementation activities
• Workshop 2 (One day, six months after the first workshop)
• Follow-up (three months after the 2nd workshop)

Will my travel and accommodation fees be paid?

No. If accepted to the training, you will receive the 2 days training, 6 months of implementation support then 1 further day of training, free of charge. Unfortunately we are not able to cover everybody’s accommodation and travel costs though when possible we will be arranging discounted accommodation offers which you will be informed about.

I can’t make it to the workshop nearest to me. Can I attend another one instead?

We strongly encourage you to attend the workshop closest to you if at all possible. Forming local collaborative groups to implement the ideas is a crucial part of the training, and if you haven’t been to the training together then this will be more difficult. This is not to say that your application will be rejected, however, we anticipate that there will be competition for places and you will not get the same priority as you would at your nearest workshop.

If you need to attend to a workshop which is not geographically closest to you due to travel preferences (e.g Bundaberg attendees, where Caloundra is closest but it is quicker to fly to Brisbane) then we strongly encourage you to liaise with other people in your area so that there is a group of you applying to do the same. Getting people to meet with others from their area and form networks is one of the aims of this initiative. If you would like to be put in touch with other people from your area then please e-mail Del training-initiative@unimelb.edu.au who can help put you in touch.

What PD points are available for this training?

APS – 21 Counselling & community points (code 08-547)

AASW – 2 points per learning hour (Appellation no 00198)

Click here for more details.

Points may also be applied for in account of the pre-reading. Please consult the web-site of the relevant professional body in regard to reporting these.