Your career in listening and helping others is here.

This nationally recognised qualification provides the first step towards a career in Counselling and entry into the counselling profession. During the course you will gain industry experience and grow your expertise by completing two supervised field placements with one of 170 government and community agencies.

You may work in the areas of mental health, drugs and alcohol abuse, family and domestic violence, housing, adolescent development, or parenting and relationships - giving you a competitive edge to secure employment in this fast-growing industry.

Counsellors work with clients on personal and psychological issues using established counselling modalities. They use communication, micro-counselling and interviewing skills and draw on varied counselling therapies to assist clients. At this level, the counsellor will be working in defined and supported counselling roles in established agencies rather than in independent practice. 

This course may be of particular interest to graduates of Diploma or higher in community services, youth work, mental health, allied field or applicants with more than two years work/volunteer experience in community services. If you have not already completed the above you may be able to complete a combined Diploma of Community Services and Diploma of Counselling.

The course is delivered over 12 months and is grouped into 3 stages (approx. 40 weeks). Each stage comprises of a grouping of units which sequentially builds skills and knowledge for the qualification.

Stage 1 comprises of units relating to workplace safety, compliance, diversity and communication which provide the knowledge and foundation for the remaining units

Stage 2 comprises of units which relate specifically to the specialist areas of these qualifications in the areas of Counselling, Community Development and Youth Work.

Stage 3 comprises of units that relate to working with complex individuals and managing services for clients in crisis.

Enhance your employment options by doing a dual qualification

If you enrol at the Geraldton campus and you choose to enrol in additional units you can gain a dual qualification with one of the below. These options are discussed with students prior to enrolling.

CHC52015 | Diploma of Community Services(opens in a new tab)

This qualification reflects the roles of community services and case management workers involved in the managing, co-ordinating and/or delivering of person-centred services to individuals, groups and communities. At this level, workers have specialised skills in community services and work autonomously under broad directions from senior management. Workers are usually providing direct support to individuals or groups of individuals. Workers may also have responsibility for the supervision of other workers and volunteers and/or case management; program coordination or the development of new business opportunities.

CHC50413 | Diploma of Youth Work(opens in a new tab)

This qualification reflects the role of people with responsibility for the development and the outcomes of programs and services for young people managed through a range of agencies and designed to meet the social, behavioural, health, welfare, developmental and protection needs of young people. This work may be undertaken through employment in community, government and welfare agencies.