New professional standards are currently being introduced for career development practitioners in Australia.

Supported by the Australian Government, the Career Industry Council of Australia worked with member organisations, career practitioners and other stakeholders to develop the standards.

These standard have been being phased in since January 2006. The six-year phase-in period is designed to give practitioners time to acquire qualifications or to have their experience recognised as prior learning.

The standards, which become mandatory on 1 January 2012, are available online.

The Career Industry Council of Australia is now working on developing quality standards or guidelines for career information and career development programs.