The Federation of Australian Astrologers, founded in 1970, is Australia’s national astrology body and runs one of the longest-established astrology examination systems in the world. Its qualifications, the FAA Diploma of Astrology and the Advanced Diploma, require passing a series of rigorous exams that typically take around three years of part-time study to reach. When an astrologer lists FAA on their profile, it signals examined, nationally standardised training in Western astrology with a counselling emphasis.
The Federation of Australian Astrologers is a non-profit national organisation with affiliated associations across Australia’s states. It was founded in 1970 specifically to solve a standards problem: astrology schools existed across the country, but there was no consistent syllabus and no nationally recognised qualification. The FAA’s answer was a national examination system, which it has run and developed ever since.
Beyond exams, the FAA holds an international astrology conference, publishes a national journal, and binds its members to a code of ethics. Its affiliated professional association, the APA (Association of Professional Astrologers), serves practising professionals who hold FAA qualifications.
The FAA awards two qualifications, both earned through examination rather than course attendance alone:
The exam system is based on contemporary Western astrology with an explicit counselling perspective: candidates are expected to demonstrate sound counselling skills and constructive framing, not just technical chart work. All candidates are bound by the FAA’s Code of Ethics.
The FAA credential carries a few specific signals worth understanding:
What it doesn’t tell you: FAA qualifications cover Western astrology, so the credential says nothing about Vedic practice, and like any credential, it can’t guarantee personal fit. Style, specialty, and reviews still matter.
What does the FAA cohort actually look like? Data from the Astrodune directory adds a picture the qualification itself can’t give: 22 listed astrologers hold an FAA credential, and as a group they stand out clearly.
They’re the most experienced cohort in the directory. The median experience among FAA astrologers on Astrodune is 34 years, the highest of any credential group on the platform, consistent with a qualification system that has been producing practitioners since the 1970s.
They’re strongly anchored in Australia. Around 82% are based in Australia, with a few in the UK, Europe, and the US. If you’re looking for an Australian astrologer specifically, the FAA credential is the single most relevant signal to look for.
The counselling emphasis shows. All work in the Western tradition, and their most common specialties, timing, identity, psychological work, and life transitions, mirror the client-centred, counselling-oriented standard the FAA exams are built around. Nearly all offer natal and forecast readings.
Source: Astrodune astrologer directory, July 2026, based on 22 profiles listing an FAA credential.
Browse astrologers who list an FAA qualification, with their specialties, prices, and client reviews:
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Babula Clement holds a BA and Dip Ed from the University of Queensland, the FAA Practitioner's Diploma, and Certificates in Psychological Astrology and Counselling through...
Bernadette Brady holds an MA in Cultural Astronomy and Astrology from Bath Spa University, a PhD in Anthropology from the University of Wales Trinity Saint...
Brian Clark began studying astrology in 1972 in Canada and moved to Australia where he founded Astro*Synthesis in Melbourne in 1986, a long-running applied astrology...
Mina describes herself as a studious Virgo with an enduring appetite for higher knowledge, and has been learning astrology for more than a decade. Initial...
Christine Rothwell holds the Professional Member qualification of the Federation of Australian Astrologers (P.M.F.A.A.) and the Accredited Astrology Teacher (A.A.T.) credential, and currently serves as...
Christine Thomas, also known as Christina Stargazer, holds a Diploma in Astrology from the Federation of Australian Astrologers (FAA) with Accredited Astrology Teacher (AAT) status,...
Cindy Naunton discovered astrology in 1989 and holds a Diploma in Astrology from the Federation of Australian Astrologers (FAA, 1994) and a Diploma in Medieval...
Darrelyn Gunzburg earned her FAA Diploma in 1988 and co-founded Astro Logos Ltd with Bernadette Brady in 1990 as a school and publishing enterprise for...
Frith Luton was the first student to graduate from the four-year professional training program at Astro*Synthesis, Melbourne, in 1997. She subsequently undertook Jungian analytic training...
Gregory Clare has been active in astronomy and astrology since 1980, with his connection to the night sky rooted in 28 years of ocean navigation...
Janet Menefy, also known by her spiritual name Sagari, holds the Professional Member designation of the Federation of Australian Astrologers (PMFAA) and is an Accredited...
Kelly Surtees has been in private astrological practice since 2003. She holds an FAA Practitioners Diploma in Astrology (Federation of Australian Astrologers) and a Diploma...
Kerry Galea holds a Diploma of Applied Astrology from Astro*Synthesis (Melbourne), a Diploma of Astrology from the Federation of Australian Astrologers (FAA), and a Diploma...
Maggie Kerr (AAT, APA, Dip. Couns.) trained across the fields of astrology, psychology, psychotherapy, metaphysics, philosophy, mythology, humanism, and ancient teachings. She is an accredited...
Michele began teaching herself astrology in 1980, going on to study with Alan Johnston and at the Melbourne School of Astrology with Sean McNamara. She...
Michelle Proctor holds a four-year Diploma in Applied Astrology from The Chiron Centre and has been practising for well over 20 years. She has spoken...
Narelle holds a Diploma of Astrology, an Advanced Diploma of Naturopathy, a Bachelor of Psychology (Honours), and a Certificate IV in Assessment and Training. She...
Paola Emma was born in Rome, Italy in 1951, moved to Australia in 1982, and has been practicing astrology professionally since 1985. She studied ancient...
Sandra Mosley and her husband David began their serious study of astrology in 1982 and became professional practitioners in 1998 when they left their day...
Sherrynne Dalby holds the FAA Diploma of Astrology and is a former Vice President of both the Federation of Australian Astrologers (FAA) and the Association...
Tessa McPeake practices on Djiringanj country within the Yuin Nation. Her interest in astrology began in Melbourne at age 25 through self study, and astrology...
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Is the FAA Diploma a government qualification? No. Astrology is unregulated, so no government issues astrology qualifications. The FAA Diploma is a voluntary professional standard, but a long-established and examined one, run by Australia’s national astrology body since the 1970s.
How long does the FAA Diploma take? Reaching the standard needed to pass the four Diploma exams typically takes around three years of part-time study. The exams can be attempted in any order, and candidates must be members of an FAA-affiliated association to sit them.
What do the letters Dip Astro (FAA) after an astrologer’s name mean? They indicate the FAA Diploma of Astrology, earned by passing the FAA’s four-exam system. Adv Dip Astro (FAA) indicates the Advanced Diploma, the FAA’s highest honour, which additionally requires a research thesis or published work.
Is the FAA credential only relevant in Australia? The FAA is Australia’s national body and most of its qualified astrologers are based there, but the qualification is internationally recognised, and some FAA-qualified astrologers practise in the UK, Europe, and the US.
For full details on membership, exams, and the qualification system, visit the official FAA website at faainc.org.au.
Data on this page is drawn from the Astrodune astrologer directory as of July 2026. Details about the FAA’s exam system are based on the FAA’s published materials and may change; the official site is always the authoritative source.
Babula Clement