Graduate Diploma of Counselling

The Graduate Diploma of Counselling at the Australian University College of Divinity is a one-year qualification for people who want to work as counsellors, or who already work in a caring role and want formal training. It sits at graduate diploma level on the Australian Qualifications Framework, which means it is a shorter, more focused qualification than a master's degree but builds on prior study. You do not need a counselling degree to get in, but you do need a bachelor's degree or equivalent. The course is typically delivered over two semesters of full-time study, or part-time over a longer period if you are working. Each unit carries credit points, and you need to pass a set number of units to graduate. The exact unit list, credit point values and any elective choices are published by the university, so check the official course page before you apply.

What you actually study

You will learn the core skills of counselling: how to build a therapeutic relationship, how to listen and respond well, how to work with people in distress, and how to keep clear ethical and professional boundaries. Expect units in counselling theory, human development across the lifespan, mental health and wellbeing, grief and loss, family and relationship work, and professional ethics. You will also study how to work with people from different cultural backgrounds, which matters in Australia's diverse communities. Assessment usually mixes essays, case studies, recorded counselling practice, and supervised skills sessions. Most graduate diplomas in this field include a supervised placement or practicum, where you spend time in a real counselling setting under a qualified supervisor. That is how you turn theory into practice, and it is often the part students remember most. The university will tell you the placement hours and how they are arranged.

How it fits into the Australian system

Australian qualifications are structured by the AQF. A bachelor degree is normally three years, an honours year adds one more, a master's is one to two years, and a doctorate is three or more. A graduate diploma sits between a bachelor and a master's, usually one year full-time. If you later want to go on to a Master of Counselling, a graduate diploma often gives you credit for some units, which can shorten the master's. Study is organised into semesters or trimesters, and each unit has a credit point value. You need to complete the required credit points to graduate. The course is open to international students, and the CRICOS code is 114820E. Tuition is published on the CRICOS register, so look there for the current figure. English requirements for international applicants are typically IELTS Academic 6.0 to 6.5 overall for coursework postgraduate courses, with TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, Cambridge C1 Advanced and the university's own English programmes accepted as equivalents. The Department of Home Affairs sets a separate English threshold for the Student visa, so check both. While you study, your visa usually lets you work up to 48 hours per fortnight during the semester. After you finish, the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream may let you stay and work in Australia, depending on your circumstances.

Who it suits

This course suits people who want to move into counselling from another field, such as teaching, nursing, social work, ministry or community services. It also suits people already working in a caring role who want a recognised qualification. If you are unsure whether you want to commit to a full master's, a graduate diploma is a sensible first step. It is also a good option if you want to build counselling skills for your current job without changing careers entirely. The Australian University College of Divinity brings a values-based perspective to the work, which some students find helpful, but the core training is practical and professional. Check the official page for entry requirements, unit details, placement arrangements and how to apply.

• Counsellor in community health centres, family services, relationship counselling organisations, and private practice.
• Case worker or support worker in mental health, homelessness, domestic violence and child protection services.
• School or youth counsellor in education settings, often alongside further study or registration requirements.
• Pastoral counsellor in faith-based organisations, hospitals and aged care.
• Rehabilitation or disability support counsellor in not-for-profit and government programmes.
• Telehealth counsellor with online mental health providers, a growing part of the Australian sector.
• Intake and assessment worker in crisis services and helplines.

Australian counselling roles are found across health, education, community services and private practice. Some employers and professional bodies ask for a master's degree or a set number of supervised hours for full registration, so check the requirements of the body you plan to join. The graduate diploma can be a stepping stone to further study or to supervised practice.