How to Become a Counsellor in Australia 2024: the Ins and Outs of This Fulfilling Role

A career in counselling is suited to people who want to support the mental health and wellbeing of others and make a positive difference in people’s lives. Passionate and empathetic counsellors feel rewarded when they see clients tackle challenges in their lives. Counselling in Australia is a much-needed profession that offers strong, well-paying, and flexible employment prospects.

If you’ve been asking yourself: “How do I become a counsellor?” This article has all the answers. From what skills you need, what to study, and what to expect from the counselling industry.

1. Get qualified with a Diploma of Counselling (CHC51015)
2. Get professional accreditation by registering with the Australian Counselling Association (ACA) or the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA)
3. Choose an organisation or sector to work in and apply for jobs

In Australia, counselling is not a regulated profession, meaning that there are no particular qualifications or accreditations required to become a counsellor. Although some states (including NSW, VIC, QLD and SA) do require that counsellors abide by a code of practice, which is provided by the Australian Counselling Association (ACA).

That said, studying counselling in Australia is an important step towards becoming a professional in the field. A career in counselling is not the role to dive blindly into. Counsellors are responsible for the wellbeing of their clients (as well as their own wellbeing). If they’re underprepared for the job then they will not be capable of looking after their clients or themselves responsibly.

A qualification shows prospective clients and employers that you understand what the job entails, and how to do it effectively and ethically. Courses will also give you practical experience while you’re still learning, so you’ll be fully prepared for the workforce upon completion.

Which counselling course is right for you?

A popular counselling certification is a one-year Diploma of Counselling (CHC51015) which can be studied at a TAFE or other vocational training provider. This counselling qualification is required for professional accreditation and to start your own accredited counselling practice. 

However, many advertised counselling jobs require a three-year undergraduate degree such as a Bachelor of Counselling, or a Bachelor of Community Services with a counselling major. Postgraduate qualifications such as a graduate diploma or a masters degree are available for those with existing qualifications.

Ongoing professional development is also recommended throughout your career so you are always up to date with the latest skills and code of practice.

As counselling is an unregulated field, counsellors don’t technically need accreditation to practice as a professional counsellor. However, it’s a good idea to become a member of a professional counselling group such as the Australian Counselling Association (ACA) or the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA) which accredits counsellors and psychotherapists. 

Accreditation is well-regarded in the field. It will improve your employment opportunities and your reputability, along with offering you affordable professional insurance, and further education and training.

Once you’re an accredited and qualified counsellor, you can seek counselling careers in a diverse array of organisations and industries, such as:

• Schools and universities
• Workplaces
• Community healthcare centres
• In-patient settings
• Welfare agencies
• Aged care settings
• Palliative care settings
• Settlement services for refugees
• Crisis phone lines

Many counsellors also work in private practice, either on their own or as part of a practice team. Counsellors working in private practice are self-employed and offer services to members of the general public.

Nobody can be a perfect counsellor without some experience and training in counselling skills and conflict resolution. It’s worth thinking about whether the job appeals to you and builds on your natural talents and temperament.

Should I become a counsellor or a psychologist? Read all about the two different fields, qualifications and nitty-gritty details.

So, what does a counsellor do in their day to day job? It’s a role that typically varies and you’ll find no two days are the same. But there are some common counselling responsibilities you can expect to undertake:

• Talking to clients one-on-one about the issues they’re facing, employing empathy and sensitivity.
• Offering mediation or discussion opportunities for groups of clients, such as in family or couples therapy, or in facilitating support groups.
• Offering specific types of therapies such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT).
• Working with health professionals and other community service workers to assist with patient treatment plans.
• If you’re self-employed, duties related to running your own business such as marketing, invoicing, maintaining a counselling room, and responding to enquiries.
• Services offered by counsellors tend to be time-limited to a specific number of weeks or sessions.
  

Counsellors can have a range of different specialisations such as:

• Mental illness counselling and case management
• Alcohol and/or substance abuse counselling
• Trauma counselling
• Family or relationship counselling, and conflict resolution
• Being a university or school counsellor for young people
• Rehabilitation counselling – working with clients in healthcare settings after they’ve been impacted by an injury or health condition.

According to Labour Market Insights (previously known as Job Outlook), full-time counsellors make on average $1,652 per week, which is a little over the average national wage. A counsellor’s salary will grow over time as they gain more experience. 

Counsellor salary varies depending on the position and field the counsellor works in. Some of the highest paying counselling fields are:

• Genetic counselling
• Family and relationship counselling
• Substance abuse counselling
• Mental health counselling
• Guidance counselling
• Financial counselling

There is very strong expected future jobs growth in the industry as more funding is invested into supporting the population’s mental health. Counselling is also a good profession for people looking to maintain work/life balance – 49% of counsellors work part-time or casual.

Counsellors require certain skills and traits to thrive in what can be a challenging environment. Caring people tend to innately have the soft skills required to become a counsellor already, which makes them great for the role.

Counselling skills you may already have are:

Counselling is a rewarding and fulfilling career that positively impacts other people’s lives. Does counselling sound like it could be the career for you? Find out seven things professional counsellor, Amber Rules, wishes she knew before entering the field, or read the comprehensive guide on how to become a counsellor in Australia.