Diploma of Counselling

The Diploma of Counselling at the Australian Health and Science Institute is a 1.5-year qualification that gets you ready to work in counselling and community support roles. It sits at the diploma level on the Australian Qualifications Framework, so it's a practical, job-focused course rather than a research degree. You'll study units on counselling theories, communication skills, ethics and legal responsibilities, mental health, grief and loss, family and relationship issues, and working with clients from different cultural backgrounds. The course is delivered over semesters or trimesters, and each unit carries credit points. You'll need to complete all required units to graduate.

How the course is structured

Most diplomas in Australia are made up of core and elective units. The exact mix depends on the provider. At this level, you'll spend a lot of time practising skills in simulated counselling sessions, role-plays and case studies. Some courses include a work placement or practical component where you work with real clients under supervision, often in community organisations or mental health services. This is common in counselling training because you need to log supervised client hours to register with professional bodies later. The course may also include a capstone project or a final practical assessment that pulls together everything you've learned.

What you'll learn

You'll learn how to build rapport with clients, listen actively, ask open questions, and use different counselling approaches like person-centred, cognitive behavioural and solution-focused therapy. You'll also cover how to assess risk, including suicide risk, and how to respond to trauma. Ethical decision-making is a big part of the course, along with understanding the boundaries of your role and when to refer clients to other services. You'll also learn about record-keeping, confidentiality, and working within the Australian legal framework, including mandatory reporting requirements. Group work, reflective practice and self-care are usually part of the training too, because counselling can be emotionally demanding.

Who it's for

This diploma suits people who want to start a career in counselling or community services without committing to a full bachelor's degree. It's also a good fit if you're already working in a related area, like aged care, disability support or education, and want to add counselling skills to your toolkit. If you're an international student, you'll need to meet English requirements. The common standard for a course like this is IELTS Academic 6.0 to 6.5 overall, or an equivalent TOEFL, PTE or Cambridge score. You can also study English at the institute if you need to lift your score. While you study, your student visa lets you work up to 48 hours per fortnight. After you graduate, you may be eligible for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream, which lets you stay and work in Australia. Always check the official CRICOS page and the institute's website for the most current details on fees, entry requirements and course structure.

• Counsellor in community health centres, private practice or telephone counselling services
• Community support worker in mental health, homelessness or family services
• Case worker in child protection, youth justice or disability services
• Support worker in alcohol and other drug services or rehabilitation programs
• School support officer in student wellbeing teams (often with further study)
• Client services officer in employment services or social housing

These roles are found across Australia in not-for-profit organisations, government agencies, private clinics and community legal centres. Some graduates go on to study a bachelor's degree in counselling or social work to broaden their options and meet registration requirements for professional bodies.