Counselling Courses in Australia: How to Choose the Right One

As Australia continues to face significant shortages in its mental health workforce, the need for qualified counsellors has never been greater. If you are considering counselling courses, the right choice depends entirely on where you are starting from, whether that is a complete beginner, a career changer or someone already working in the field who wants to upskill. This guide helps you think it through clearly.

What to Consider Before You Choose

Your current qualification level

The counselling courses available to you depend on what you have already studied. If you have no prior qualifications, a short workshop or a vocational diploma is the natural starting point. If you hold a bachelor degree at AQF Level 7, postgraduate programs open up, including graduate certificates, diplomas and a master of counselling pathway.

Your career goal

There is a meaningful difference between working in a support or entry-level counselling role and practising in a clinical or specialised setting. A Diploma of Counselling prepares you for entry-level and support positions. A Bachelor of Psychology and Counselling or a Master of Counselling and Psychotherapy opens doors to broader practice and postgraduate psychology pathways. Being clear on your end goal will shape which course level is right for you.

Your study mode preference

Some counselling courses are delivered fully online with self-paced learning, others require on-campus attendance, and many offer a blended mix of both. If you are balancing work or family commitments, a fully online or part-time program may suit you better. If you prefer direct contact with lecturers and peers, on-campus study has real advantages. Think about how you learn best before committing to a format.

Your timeline and budget

Counselling courses in Australia range from a three-day workshop to a two-year master program. The financial commitment ranges accordingly, from $165 to over $60,000 in total course fees. Financial support options including FEE-HELP and VET Student Loans can make longer programs more accessible. Being honest with yourself about your timeline and budget helps you choose a course you can complete, not just start.

What Counselling Educators Say

Counselling educators at Cairnmillar note that accreditation with the Australian Counselling Association (ACA) or the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA) is one of the most important factors to check when comparing counselling courses Australia-wide. Accredited programs meet professional standards that employers and membership bodies recognise. They also allow graduates to apply for professional registration, which directly affects career credibility and client confidence in your practice.

Educators with decades of clinical experience highlight that practical placement hours are equally critical for graduate readiness. Completing counselling courses without supervised real-world client contact leaves graduates underprepared for practice. Programs that include structured placement components give you the opportunity to apply therapeutic skills in genuine settings before you graduate, building both competence and confidence that employers at every level value.

Counselling Courses at Cairnmillar Institute, Melbourne

Core Counselling Skills

This three-day workshop suits you if you are completely new to counselling and want a practical introduction before committing to a longer qualification. Held in-person at Hawthorn East, Melbourne, it costs between $165 and $770 (varies by intake/discount) depending on your enrolment type. Participants receive a certificate of completion. Please note this workshop does not qualify you to work professionally as a counsellor, but it gives you a clear, grounded first look at what counselling practice involves.

Diploma of Counselling (CHC51015)

The diploma of counselling suits you if you want a nationally recognised vocational qualification that prepares you for entry-level and support positions in counselling. Delivered online with self-paced learning and live weekly sessions, it takes 12 months full-time or 24 months part-time and costs $6,990. The course is ACA accredited, a VET Student Loan is available to eligible students, and small class sizes mean you receive genuine support throughout. Intakes are available in July 2026 and February 2027. Graduates are eligible for ACA Level 1 registration and can pathway into the Bachelor of Psychology and Counselling or the Graduate Certificate of Counselling and Psychotherapy at Cairnmillar.

Bachelor of Psychology and Counselling

This course suits you if you want a full undergraduate degree combining psychology and counselling in a TEQSA, APAC and ACA accredited double major at AQF Level 7. Available online, on-campus or blended at Hawthorn East, it takes three years full-time or six years part-time and costs $43,221 for domestic students, with FEE-HELP available. A minimum ATAR of 60 is required, though mature age entry is available for applicants aged 21 and over. The course includes 24 units and a counselling placement in the final year, with clear pathways into Honours and postgraduate psychology programs.

Graduate Certificate of Counselling and Psychotherapy

This course suits you if you hold an Australian bachelor degree with a 60% average and want to begin postgraduate training in counselling and psychotherapy. Delivered on-campus at Hawthorn East, it takes six months full-time or one year part-time and sits at AQF Level 8. The course is ACA accredited and includes an interview as part of the admissions process. Graduates can pathway directly into the Graduate Diploma of Counselling and Psychotherapy.

Graduate Diploma of Counselling and Psychotherapy

The Graduate Diploma suits you if you have completed the Graduate Certificate or an equivalent qualification and want to continue building your postgraduate counselling and psychotherapy training. The course takes one year full-time or two years part-time and sits at AQF Level 8 with ACA accreditation. Graduates can pathway into the Master of Counselling and Psychotherapy, Cairnmillar’s highest level counselling qualification.

Master of Counselling and Psychotherapy

The master of counselling and psychotherapy suits you if you are committed to advanced therapeutic practice at the highest level. The course takes two years, costs $60,984 in total, and is ACA accredited. It is taught by therapist-academics who are actively practising in the field, includes a robust placement program, and has multiple intakes available each year including July 2026, October 2026 and February 2027. This is the qualification for those who want to practise counselling and psychotherapy at the highest professional standard in Australia.

Graduate Certificate in Trauma-Informed Care

This course suits working professionals who want to specialise in trauma-informed approaches alongside their existing role. Delivered as a fully self-paced online program, it takes one year part-time, costs $13,653 for domestic students, and is TEQSA accredited at AQF Level 8. FEE-HELP is available and the course is open to domestic students only. Entry is available with a bachelor degree in a related field, any bachelor degree with relevant work experience, or a diploma with at least one year of relevant professional experience.

Studying Counselling in Melbourne

Cairnmillar’s Hawthorn East campus is 400 metres from Tooronga train station, with free on-site parking and full wheelchair accessibility, making it one of Melbourne’s most convenient locations for face-to-face study. For students outside Victoria, several counselling courses Melbourne and Australia-wide are available fully online or in a blended format. Cairnmillar also operates four psychology clinic locations across the city, in Hawthorn East, Dandenong, Melbourne CBD and North Melbourne, giving students a genuine connection to professional practice settings throughout their studies.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What is the entry requirement for counselling courses in Australia?

Entry requirements vary by course level. The Core Counselling Skills workshop has no prior study requirement. The Diploma of Counselling requires applicants to be 18 years or older and meet basic literacy standards. The Bachelor of Psychology and Counselling requires a minimum ATAR of 60, with mature age entry available for applicants aged 21 and over. Postgraduate counselling courses require an Australian bachelor degree at AQF Level 7, and the Graduate Certificate of Counselling and Psychotherapy also includes an interview as part of the admissions process. Full entry requirements for each course are available on the relevant course page at cairnmillar.org.au.

Q2: How long does it take to become a counsellor in Australia?

The time depends on the qualification level you are aiming for. A diploma of counselling takes 12 months full-time. A Bachelor of Psychology and Counselling takes three years full-time. For postgraduate pathways, the Graduate Certificate of Counselling and Psychotherapy takes six months full-time, the Graduate Diploma takes one year full-time, and the Master of Counselling and Psychotherapy takes two years. Each qualification builds on the previous level with clear pathways between them, so you can progress at a pace that suits your circumstances.

Q3: Are Cairnmillar’s counselling courses accredited?

Yes. Cairnmillar’s counselling courses are accredited by the Australian Counselling Association (ACA) at diploma, undergraduate and postgraduate levels. The Diploma of Counselling enables graduates can apply for ACA Level 1 registration (ACA registration depends on meeting the criteria at time of application, not automatic). The Bachelor of Psychology and Counselling is accredited by TEQSA, APAC and ACA. The Graduate Certificate in Trauma-Informed Care is TEQSA accredited at AQF Level 8. Accreditation ensures your qualification meets the professional standards recognised by employers and industry bodies across Australia.

Q4: Can I study counselling courses online in Australia?

Yes. Several of Cairnmillar’s counselling courses are available fully online. The Diploma of Counselling is delivered online with self-paced learning and live weekly sessions. The Graduate Certificate in Trauma-Informed Care is fully self-paced online. The Bachelor of Psychology and Counselling is available online, on-campus or blended. Online counselling courses Australia-wide through Cairnmillar are open to domestic students and provide the same academic support, student services and accreditation as on-campus programs.

Q5: What financial assistance is available for counselling courses at Cairnmillar?

Financial support options vary by course. FEE-HELP is available for the Bachelor of Psychology and Counselling and the Graduate Certificate in Trauma-Informed Care for eligible domestic students. A VET Student Loan is available for the Diploma of Counselling. All fees listed are estimates only and subject to annual review. Contact Cairnmillar’s student services team on 1800 391 393 to confirm which financial support applies to your chosen course and enrolment type.

When you are ready to take the next step, Cairnmillar’s student services team can help you identify the counselling course that suits your background and goals. Book a free 15-minute consultation or call 1800 391 393. The next available intake opens in July 2026.