Become a Member
Thank you for your interest in becoming a member of the APTA. There are three steps to completing the process of application:
Decide on a membership level - You will begin by reviewing the information below to decide which level is most suitable for your experience.
Complete the online application form - Once you have decided on a membership, you will click the link to complete the online application form. This form will collect the personal information and proof of certifications required for membership. You will be required to login to your Google account so that we can store your information securely (you can create one for free if you do not already have one).
Pay the membership fees - Once this form is completed, a member of the APTA board will review your application. When your application has been approved you will receive an email inviting you to make payment of the membership fee and finalise your registration.
After your payment has been confirmed by the APTA you will receive your registration certificate and accompanying documentation.
Note: All information collected during this process, including payment details, is encrypted and stored securely. No information will be shared with a third-party.
Membership Levels
APTA welcomes the participation and support of all people interested in play therapy as an Affiliate member. Affiliate members may include students, allied health and non-mental health professionals, teachers, parents and individuals with an interest in Play Therapy.
Affiliate membership is a category of membership for those who have an interest in play therapy and want affiliation with APTA but who do not meet the requirements for a Registered Play Therapist or Associate Member. The combined participation of all of our members strengthens the continued development and professional recognition of play therapy.
Affiliate members may not use any APTA post nominals or logo to advertise. Members of this category are exempt from APTA voting rights and are not eligible to be on the APTA committee.
Eligibility Requirements
All interested parties are invited to become an Affiliate Member.
Benefits of Membership
Belong to a professional association.
Emails and Newsletters keep you informed of training and developments in Play Therapy.
Networking opportunities with Play Therapists and individuals and organisations with an interest in Play Therapy.
Opportunity to actively participate in APTA and to further contribute to the advancement of the field of Play Therapy in the community.
$135 per year on acceptance of Affiliate Member Application
Membership fees are set according to the category application. Membership will run for (1) year from the date the application is approved.
APTA welcomes the participation and support of mental health professionals with an interest in Play Therapy to join as an Associate member. Associate membership is for members who have qualifications that do not meet the Play Therapy specific criteria for the Registered Play Therapist Category.
Associate members may be working towards Clinical Membership. The combined participation of all of our members strengthens the continued development and professional recognition of play therapy.
Associate members may not use any APTA post nominals or logo to advertise. Members of this category have APTA voting rights and are eligible to be on the APTA committee.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must meet minimum requirements relating to:
Mental Health Professional Qualification
Registration with Regulation Agency
Working with children check or police Clearance
Evidence of Supervisors governing body – RENEWAL – 5hrs Play Therapy Supervision. All Supervision must be undertaken by a RPT or RPT-S.
Full details are available for download.
Benefits of Membership
Belong to a professional association (ACA, PACFA, AASW, AHPRA, ACATA, ANZATA.
Emails and Newsletters to keep you informed of training and developments in Play Therapy.
Networking opportunities with Play Therapists and individuals and organisations with an interest in Play Therapy.
Opportunity to actively participate in APTA and to further contribute to the advancement of the field of Play Therapy in the community.
Voting rights at APTA meetings and eligibility for membership on the APTA committee
$145 per year on acceptance of Associate Member Application
Membership fees are set according to the category application. Membership will run for (1) year from the date the application is approved.
As an APTA International Professional Member you are recognised for the training skills you have specific to Play Therapy as a qualified Mental Health professional. You are also demonstrating to employers, professional colleagues, parents, clients and carers that you abide by the professional standards and Best Practice Guidelines in play therapy required by APTA.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must meet minimum requirements relating to:
Professional Qualifications
Ethics
Play Therapy Clinical Supervision
Liability Insurance
Working with Children & National Police Checks
Full details are available for download.
Benefits of Membership
Voting rights at APTA meetings and eligibility for membership on the APTA committee.
Belong to a professional association.
Emails and Newsletters to keep you informed of training and developments in Play Therapy.
Networking opportunities with Play Therapists and individuals and organisations with an interest in Play Therapy.
Opportunity to actively participate in APTA and to further contribute to the advancement of the field of Play Therapy in the community.
$185 per year on acceptance of Provisional International Professional Member Application.
Membership fees are set according to the category application. Membership will run for (1) year from the date the application is approved.
As an APTA Registered Play Therapist you are recognised for the skills, expertise and experience you have as a practicing specialist Play Therapist and Mental Health professional. This demonstrates to employers, professional colleagues, parents, clients and carers that an individual play therapist and mental health professional has achieved the professional standard for practice in play therapy as required by APTA. Applicants must agree to abide by the APTA Best Practices Guidelines and are subject to the Complaints Procedure of their mental health professional association.
Eligibility Requirements
The Australian Play Therapists Association confers the designation of Australian Play Therapists Association Registered Play Therapist (APTA-RPT) to individuals who have provided APTA with documentation that they have:
Mental Health qualification.
Registration with a regulation body related to Mental Health qualification Level 3 ACA, Clinical Member PACFA, AASW, AHPRA, ACATA, ANZATA.
WWCC or National Police Certificate.
Professional Indemnity Insurance.
150 hours Play Therapy training (100 hours live contact hours, & 50 hours non contact).
300 hours post training Play Therapy specific client hours.
50 hours post training Play Therapy specific supervision (max. 10 hours group supervision may be included). Supervision must be with a Registered Play Therapist or Registered Play Therapist Supervisor of APTA, APPTA, APT, or BAPT.
The designation as an APTA-RPT does not certify, imply, or affirm the knowledge or competency of such individual but only confirms that the education and training requirements identified herein have been satisfied.
150 hours of Play Therapy training with a minimum of 100 hours face to face training and no more than 50 hours of distance or online learning
• The 150 hours of Play Therapy training accepted by APTA for Clinical Membership must be Play Therapy specific and focused on Play Therapy as a form of counselling or psychotherapy for children.
• APTA only accepts Play Therapy specific training for clinical member training hours
e.g. A workshop on Trauma and Attachment linked with Play Therapy practice is accepted by APTA whereas a Trauma and Attachment workshop that is general and not relating specifically to Play Therapy is not accepted by APTA for the Play Therapy training hours required for Clinical Membership.
Play Therapy approaches that are accepted by APTA and where the Play Therapy training is focused on specializing in working with children include:
• Child Centered Play Therapy(this may include some hours related to Filial Therapy note, total hours cannot relate to Filial Therapy exclusive
Narrative Play Therapy
Relationship Play Therapy
Psychoanalytic Play Therapy
Psychodynamic Play Therapy
Object Relations Play Therapy
Jungian Play Therapy
Experiential Play Therapy
Gestalt Play Therapy
Structured Play Therapy
Adlerian Play Therapy
Sand Play Therapy
Synergetic Play Therapy
• Other – other Play Therapy modalities will be considered where the Play Therapy modality is a form of counselling or psychotherapy for children such as Theraplay.
All applicants for APTA Registered Play Therapist must demonstrate completion of approved Play Therapy specific training in the following areas and meet the following criteria:
Social - emotional developmental stages of children linked with play therapy
Ethical issues in working with children in play therapy
Theoretical model/s of play therapy and the application of 1 or more systematic model/s to the practise of play therapy
Play therapy skills based training
The therapeutic relationship including issues of transference and countertransference in the play therapy relationship
Attachment theories linked with play therapy
Play therapy case conceptualisation and assessment
History of Play Therapy
Renewal Requirements
Minimum 10 hours of professional development per membership cycle, specific to the practice of play therapy. This can be in face-to-face training, distance or online learning. Clinical Supervision does not constitute Professional Development. Verification of these hours must be provided either via a certificate or a statutory declaration. Evidence of attendance at PD may be requested by the APTA committee for approval of membership.
Minimum 50 hours Play Therapy specific client hours.
10 hours Play Therapy specific supervision with a Registered Play Therapist or Registered Play Therapist Supervisor of APTA, APPTA, APT, or BAPT.
Benefits of Membership
Advertise their membership status with the post nominals Australian Play Therapists Association Registered Play Therapist (APTA-RPT).
Advertise as a Registered Play Therapist of the Australian Play Therapists Association.
Listing on the APTA Register of Play Therapists “Where to Find a Registered Play Therapist” indicating you have met the professional standards, clinical experience and maintain ongoing professional development to work as an APTA Registered Play Therapist.
Advertising of your professional details on the APTA “Where to find a Registered Play Therapist” webpage.
Voting rights at APTA meetings and eligibility for membership on the APTA committee.
Display APTA’s logo on advertising material.
$225 per year on acceptance of Registered Play Therapist Application
Membership fees are set according to the category application. Membership will run for (1) year from the date the application is approved.
As an APTA Registered Play Therapist and Supervisor you are recognised as having an advanced level of expertise, as evidenced by ongoing practice and continued education, in the field of play therapy. As with one’s primary license, it is important to recognize experience informs supervisory practice and that advanced clinical skills are needed before one may supervise others under the RPT-S designation. This also demonstrates to employers, professional colleagues, parents, clients and carers that an individual play therapist and mental health professional has achieved the professional standard for practice in play therapy as required by APTA. Applicants must agree to abide by the APTA Best Practices Guidelines and are subject to the Complaints Procedure of their mental health professional association.
Note: This membership also infers all of the recognition, benefits, and eligibility requirements of a Registered Play Therapist.
To be accepted by APTA, the applicant must complete Play Therapy training that meets the following requirements:
150 hours of Play Therapy training with a minimum of 100 hours face to face training and no more than 50 hours of distance or online learning
• The 150 hours of Play Therapy training accepted by APTA for Clinical Membership must be Play Therapy specific and focused on Play Therapy as a form of counselling or psychotherapy for children.
• APTA only accepts Play Therapy specific training for clinical member training hours
e.g. A workshop on Trauma and Attachment linked with Play Therapy practice is accepted by APTA whereas a Trauma and Attachment workshop that is general and not relating specifically to Play Therapy is not accepted by APTA for the Play Therapy training hours required for Clinical Membership.
Play Therapy approaches that are accepted by APTA and where the Play Therapy training is focused on specializing in working with children include:
Child Centered Play Therapy(this may include some hours related to Filial Therapy note, total hours cannot relate to Filial Therapy exclusive
Narrative Play Therapy
Relationship Play Therapy
Psychoanalytic Play Therapy
Psychodynamic Play Therapy
Object Relations Play Therapy
Jungian Play Therapy
Experiential Play Therapy
Gestalt Play Therapy
Structured Play Therapy
Adlerian Play Therapy
Sand Play Therapy
Synergetic Play Therapy
• Other – other Play Therapy modalities will be considered where the Play Therapy modality is a form of counselling or psychotherapy for children such as Theraplay.
All applicants for APTA Registered Play Therapist must demonstrate completion of approved Play Therapy specific training in the following areas and meet the following criteria:
Social - emotional developmental stages of children linked with play therapy
Ethical issues in working with children in play therapy
Theoretical model/s of play therapy and the application of 1 or more systematic model/s to the practise of play therapy
Play Therapy skills based training
The therapeutic relationship including issues of transference and countertransference in the play therapy relationship
Attachment theories linked with play therapy
Play therapy case conceptualisation and assessment
History of Play Therapy
Eligibility Requirements
The Australian Play Therapists Association confers the designation of Australian Play Therapists Association Registered Play Therapist Supervisor (APTA-RPT-S) to individuals who have provided APTA with documentation that they have:
Mental Health qualification.
Registration with a regulation body related to Mental Health qualification. Level 3 ACA, Clinical Member with PACFA, AASW, AHPRA, ANZATA, ACATA.
WWCC or National Police Certificate.
Professional Indemnity Insurance.
150 hours Play Therapy training. 100 hours live contact, 50 hours non contact. RENEWAL 10 hours PD
300 hours post training Play Therapy specific client hours. RENEWAL 50 hours
50 hours post training Play Therapy specific supervision (max. 10 hours group supervision may be included) Your Supervisor must be a Registered Play Therapist or Registered Play Therapist Supervisor of APTA, APPTA, APT, or BAPT.
22hrs training in field with 6hrs PT or 24 hrs PT supervision training
RENEWAL for Registered Play Therapist Supervisor– 10hrs OF SUPERVISION OF YOUR SUPERVISEES, & 10hrs of Play Therapy supervision with a Registered Play Therapist or Registered Play Therapist Supervisor of APTA, APPTA, APT, or BAPT.
3HRS PD related to PT supervision, 10HRS PD related to Play Therapy
*Supervision training can be delivered online but must be synchronous. Pre-recorded videos, readings and other self-paced course materials will not be counted towards the total hours.
The designation as an APTA-RPT-S does not certify, imply, or affirm the knowledge or competency of such individual but only confirms that the education and training requirements identified herein have been satisfied.
Benefits of Membership
Advertise their membership status with the post nominals Australian Play Therapists Association Registered Play Therapist (APTA-RPT-S).
Advertise as a RPT-S of the Australian Play Therapists Association.
Listing on the APTA Register of Play Therapists “Where to Find a Registered Play Therapist” indicating you have met the professional standards, clinical experience and maintain ongoing professional development to work as an APTA Registered Play Therapist.
Advertising of your professional details on the APTA “Where to find a Registered Play Therapist” webpage.
Voting rights at APTA meetings and eligibility for membership on the APTA committee.
Display APTA’s logo on advertising material.
$245 per year on acceptance of the RPT-S Application
Membership fees are set according to the category application. Membership will run for (1) year from the date the application is approved.