ANZICA

ANZICA fulfils an important role in representing the views of infertility counsellors both to the Reproductive Technology Accreditation Committee (RTAC), The Fertility Society of Australia and the New Zealand Infertility Society. It is essential that counsellors have a voice in the field of Reproductive Technology both as advocates for the clients and for the potential unborn child.

Quick Overview

ANZICA History

ANZICA Mission and Goals

ANZICA Policy Statements

ANZICA Events

Private Practice Counsellors

ANZICA Committee

ANZICA History

The Australian and New Zealand Infertility Counsellors Association (ANZICA) was formed in Canberra in 1989 by a group of 10 infertility counsellors, social workers and psychologists attending the Fertility Society of Australia (FSA) annual meeting. Since then, ANZICA membership has expanded to include well over 150 members from every State and Territory of Australia and across New Zealand and is the largest professional association for infertility counsellors in these countries.

ANZICA Mission and Goals

Mission Statement

ANZICA strives to promote a high standard of counselling for individuals affected by infertility issues. In doing so ANZICA counsellors strive to support and benefit those individuals with whom they work, including the welfare and best interests of any potential unborn child.

Our Objectives

ANZICA has several primary roles:

Provide a structure to promote the particular interests of infertility counsellors;
Promote the recognition and understanding of counselling and the counseling process in the context of infertility;
Promote education and training of counsellors in the area of infertility;
Undertake research leading to an understanding of the counselling needs of infertile people and improve the effectiveness of counselling services for members;
Provide ethical guidance to its members;
Maintain regular communication to members;
Be a consultative group on issues pertaining to infertility; and
Actively cooperate with other organisations with allied aims and objectives.

ANZICA Ethics

ANZICA counsellors are required to abide by the ethical principles of professional conduct, responsibilities and confidentiality as stipulated by the professional codes of The Australian Psychological Society (APS), the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW), Aoteoroa New Zealand Association of Social Workers (ANZASW) and the New Zealand College of Clinical Psychologists (NZCCP).

Members are further expected to conform to the ethical principles of external governing bodies such as RTAC or state regulatory bodies (VARTA; RTC). Accordingly, Counsellors will exhibit the following general ethical responsibilities including:

Practice Principles of:

Beneficence and nonmaleficence
Professional integrity
Practice competence
Privacy and confidentiality
Legal rights
Conscientious objections

Client Based Principles of:

Respect for human dignity and worth
Cultural sensitivity
Informed consent
Best interests of the child
Duty of care
Conflict of interest

ANZICA Membership

Although you may work with other counsellors, the issues that confront infertility clients are specialised and may have associated complex ethical dilemmas. Membership with ANZICA offers the opportunity for contact with other experienced counsellors working in the area of infertility, a chance for consultation, exchange of ideas and knowledge of current treatment and legislation updates.

ANZICA membership is open to counsellors with recognized tertiary qualifications in psychology or social work. Students of these fields and other counsellors with related university specialized training are also welcome to join as associate members.

To become a member of ANZICA is a two stage process. Firstly you must apply, and be approved for ANZICA Membership. Once this has been approved you must then become a member of the FSA (contact the FSA Secretariat).

Membership Fees

FSA + ANZICA

All the membership benefits of the FSA, including discounted registration to the national conference

Maintaining a register of fertility counsellors in Australia and NZ, and a separate register of private practice fertility counsellors in Australia and NZ

Electing a fertility counsellor representative for RTAC Council and FSA Board

Networking between fertility counsellors in Australia, NZ and overseas

Keep up to date through access to the ANZICA closed group Facebook page

Access to our website based newsletter

Two national workshops per year, with discounted registration

Access to local and online educational and networking events throughout the year

Encourage and promote the art and practice of evidence based fertility counselling

Access to ANZICA's comprehensive guidelines for fertility counselling practice

Co-ordinated representation in the development of submissions to government enquiries and fertility practice reviews, ensuring proper consideration of psychosocial issues related to fertility and inclusion of the voice of fertility counsellors

No additional fee

FSA $150/year + ANZICA $0

Membership Downloads

For membership applications download and print an application form and return it to us or if you have Microsoft Word the form can be filled out and emailed back to us if preferred.

Membership Secretary

Ms Melissa Stephens

Email: melissa.stephens@ivf.com.au
Phone: +61 2 9425 1600

ANZICA Policy Statements

ANZICA policy documents are available for download below:

ANZICA Events

How does it feel? – ANZICA Professional Development Day 2020

When?

Saturday 28 March 2020

Where?

Crown Perth, Western Australia

Time?

9.00am to 5.00pm (Registration opens at 8.30am). Followed by optional Dinner (partners welcome)

Cost?

Members $110.00
Non Members $220.00
(includes morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea)

ANZICA Professional Development Day 2021

When?

Saturday 27 March 2021

Where?

Crown Perth, Western Australia

Time?

The 2020 ANZICA Professional Development Day to be held in Perth in March was postponed due to COVID-19.

The 2021 Professional Development Day will be held at Crown Perth on 27 March 2021.

Further information will be available later this year.

Cost?

Private Practice Counsellors

ANZICA COUNSELLORS OFFERING INDEPENDENT PRIVATE PRACTICE COUNSELLING

ANZICA members are clinical psychologists, psychologists and social workers with specialist knowledge and experience in helping patients cope with the emotional aspects of fertility treatment.

Many of our members are employed by fertility clinics and if you are currently having treatment you may be able to receive support from the clinic counsellor.

We also have a list of ANZICA members who have indicated they are able to offer counselling services independently in their private practice. To find a private practice counsellor in your area you can download the list below

For a list of ANZICA Private Practice Counsellors please click here.