The Open Arms Outreach Program is designed to increase service accessibility for Open Arms clients. 
Our mission is to excel in delivering leading mental health and wellbeing services.
Our vision is to provide veterans and their families with the highest level of support.

This program includes a network of psychologists and mental health social workers working in private practice to support the delivery of services on behalf of Open Arms across Australia. 

Why become an Open Arms Outreach Provider?

Open Arms is an innovative, client-focused organisation providing multidisciplinary care, including care coordination, peer support, group treatment and mental health training to current and ex-serving Australian Defence Force personnel, their partners, and children. 

Statutory registered Outreach Providers delivering services on behalf of Open Arms have access to:  

• Open Arms specific professional development opportunities, including webinars, provider resources and training that can attract CPD points.
• 24/7 support through Client Assist means that you won't need to be 'on call' for your Open Arms clients after hours or when you take leave.
• Efficient, timely and reliable invoicing process. 

Open Arms Outreach Provider Services

Outreach Providers are engaged to deliver one or more of the following services:

• Outreach Program Counsellors (OPC)– individual, couples and/or families
• Group Program Facilitators (GPF)
• Clinical Supervisors

How do I become an Open Arms Outreach Provider?

Engagement of this network is through a statutory registration process. 
Statutory registration is between an individual and Open Arms. Outreach Program applicants must be able to meet all eligibility criteria on their own merit. 

Eligibility criteria

To be eligible, you must: 

• hold full, unconditional registration as a psychologist with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (i.e., no conditions on registration) or
• hold accreditation as a mental health social worker with the Australian Association of Social Workers; and 
• have a Medicare Australia Provider Number (MPN) registered to the address where you will be providing services, and 
• have an Australian Business Number (ABN); and 
• be registered to collect GST (mandatory for OPCs); and
• hold a valid Working with Children (WWC) or Working with Vulnerable People (WWVP) check (AHPRA-registered providers in QLD are exempt).

Expectations

Interested providers must also: 

• confirm they have read the Outreach Program Provider Notes; and
• use the Open Arms client management system (CMS) as directed; and
• provide clinical notes and reports in accordance with Open Arms policy; and
• agree to accept the published Schedule of Fees as full payment for services (Open Arms clients are not to be charged gap or top-up fees); and
• complete mandatory training, including CMS technical training and Open Arms orientation, as requested; and
• agree to maintain a specialist knowledge and understanding of veteran and military culture that enables delivery of a specialised service to eligible Open Arms clients.Our mission is to excel in delivering leading mental health and wellbeing services.

Schedule of fees

Payment is based on the current Open Arms Schedule of Fees for the relevant service.

As of 1 September:

• Supervisor Fee Schedule Clinical Psychologist 1 September 2023 (239.6 KB)
• Supervisor Fee Schedule Psychologist and MH Social Worker 1 September 2023 (242.52 KB)
• OPC Fee Schedule Clinical Psychologist 1 September 2023 (278.55 KB)
• OPC Fee Schedule Psychologist and MH Social Worker 1 September 2023 (279.73 KB)

As of 1 July 2023:

• OPC and Supervisor Fee Schedule 1 July 2023 (55.21 KB)
• OPC and Supervisor Clinical Psychologists Fee Schedule 1 July 2023 (56.71 KB)
• Group Program Facilitator Fee Schedule 1 July 2023 (57.21 KB)

This Fee Schedule is indexed in accordance with the indexation rate applied to the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) of fees.

Previous 2022/23 Open Arms Schedule of Fees for the relevant service.

• OPC_and_Supervisor_Fee_Schedule_1_July_2022.pdf (166.6 KB)
• OPC_and_Supervisor_Clinical _Psychologists_Fee_Schedule_1_July_2022.pdf (165.75 KB)
• Group_Program_Facilitator_Fee_Schedule_1_July_ 2022.pdf (62.69 KB)

Outreach Program Provider Notes 

Before applying to become a provider, it is essential that you read the: 

• Outreach_Program_Counsellor_Provider_Notes_2019.pdf (934.59 KB)

The Notes contain detailed information on the provision of Open Arms Outreach Program services and outline the terms of agreement. Prospective providers must agree to the conditions set out in the Provider Notes as part of the application process.

Application form

If you agree to the conditions in the Provider Notes, the next step is to complete the: 

• Outreach_Program_Statutory_Registration_Application_Form.pdf (2.72 MB)

You can use this form to apply for any or all roles – just mark the appropriate boxes.

All applications must be accompanied by the requested documentation when lodged. At a minimum, these include: 

• current resume
• evidence of clinical qualification/s
• valid working with children/ vulnerable people check
• evidence of training completed (treatment modalities).

Please submit your application and supporting documents via email to: openarms.outreachprogram@dva.gov.au

Note:

• Some modern web browsers restrict users from filling in PDF forms. To fill in a PDF form electronically, first save it to your computer and then open it with Adobe Reader or an alternative PDF reader.
• The form may not work if saved into OneDrive or another cloud-based platform. 
• National Outreach Program Management cannot access documents sent as a link from a cloud-based platform - please attach documents as PDF or WORD and images or pictures (e.g. scan or photo of WWC card) as a .jpeg or .pdf.
• If you experience issues with the form, please contact openarms.outreachprogram@dva.gov.au for assistance.

What happens after I lodge an application?

After your lodgement, Open Arms will: 

• Assess the application for eligibility and completeness. 
• Contact you within five (5) business days to advise an outcome. 

Onboarding 

You will need to sign a formal statutory registration acceptance form to begin the onboarding process. 

The onboarding process – which includes providing access to Open Arms systems – can take up to fifteen (15) business days.  

Once this is complete, the relevant Open Arms region coordinator will be advised of your registration, availability and referral preferences, and they will be in touch to arrange a suitable time to conduct orientation and system training relevant to your nominated service/s.

Referrals

Open Arms takes care to ensure providers are matched to clients depending on the needs of the client, location, and expertise of the provider. 

Statutory registration with the Outreach Program does not guarantee that you will receive referrals from Open Arms.

Clients interested in being seen under Open Arms arrangements must contact Client Assist on 1800 011 046 to have an intake assessment completed and discuss referral options. Clients may request a particular provider however we cannot guarantee allocation.
 

See also