Key Facts
Hawthorn East, VIC
Full-time (12 months)
Online
Course Overview
This Diploma will equip you with the tools and qualifications to help you fulfil your desire to assist people with the daily challenges of living. We have a global and multicultural lens to our program preparing our course graduates with contemporary understanding of working globally and in diverse communities. The Diploma of Counselling course reflects the role of counsellors, who 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.Â
Please note: Cairnmillar’s courses are subject to minimum and maximum group numbers. Courses may be cancelled or postponed if minimum numbers are not achieved by the start date of the course. Courses may close prior to the start date if the maximum numbers are reached. In that situation, eligible applicants will be offered a place in the next available intake.
Application Period
Priority applications close four (4) weeks prior to the term commencement date. Late applications close two (2) weeks prior and will only be accepted if places are available.
What does this course offer?
- Tailored assessments to suit your career goals or current workplace challenges.
- Pay the same as Government funded programs.
- Self-paced learning and evening lecturers allowing you to master in-demand career skills without having to leave your day job.
- Pathway into the Bachelor of Psychology and Counselling and Graduate Certificate of Counselling and Psychotherapy.
- Designed by industry experts and taught by experienced practitioners.
- Small class sizes and in-depth discussions, allowing you to fully explore the subject areas.
- A supportive environment with a dedicated Lecturer Support Tutor.
- High-quality teaching and learning experience.
Course Schedule
2025 Academic Calendar & Key Dates
| Term | Weeks | Dates | Payment Due Dates | Census/Withdrawal Dates |
| 1Â |
9 |
10th February – 13th April 2025 |
26 January 2025 |
24 February 2025 |
| Break |
2 |
|
|
|
| 2Â |
9 |
28th April – 29th June 2025 |
13 April 2025 |
12 May 2025 |
| Break |
4 |
|
|
|
| 3Â |
9 |
28th July – 28th September 2025 |
13 July 2025 |
11 August 2025 |
| Break |
2 |
|
|
|
| 4Â |
9 |
13th October – 14th December 2025 |
28 September 2025 |
27 October 2025 |
Units of Competency
| Term 1Â | Term 2Â | Term 3 | Term 4Â |
| CHCCSL001 Establish and confirm the counselling relationship | CHCLEG001 Work legally and ethically | CHCPRP003 Reflect on and improve own professional practice | CHCCCS019 Recognise and respond to crisis situations |
| CHCCSL002 Apply specialist interpersonal and counselling interview skills | CHCCSL004 Research and apply personality and development theories | CHCDIV001 Work with diverse people | CHCCSM005 Develop, facilitate and review all aspects of case management |
| CHCCSL003 Facilitate the counselling relationship and process | CHCCSL005 Apply learning theories in counselling | CHCDIV002 Promote Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultural safety | CHCCCS017 Provide loss and grief support |
| CHCCSL006 Select and use counselling therapies | CHCCSL007 Support counselling clients in decision-making processes | CHCPRT001 Identify and respond to children and young people at risk | CHCFAM003 Support people to improve relationships |
| CHCCCS038 Facilitate the empowerment of people receiving support |
For all unit descriptions, please view the Course Handbook available for download at the top of this page.
Only want to enrol in one or more units? We offer microcredential enrolment! Click here to read more.
Entry Requirements
Entrants will normally be 18 years of age or older, with a minimum education level of 10 or Certificate III, have work experience and have access to a workplace. Applicants must be proficient in English and be technologically literate, with sound ability using computers and online tools, as well as access to a laptop or home computer for research tasks.
When you apply to enrol, you must complete the online enrolment form through the VET applications portal, and:
- Satisfy academic suitability, by meeting one of the following:
- Provide a copy of your Year 12 certificate from a recognised state or territory authority (not your school),
- Hold a Certificate IV or higher qualification (delivered in English),
- Or complete a Language, Literacy and Numeracy (LLN) assessment—this will be provided during your application process.
- Provide a short-written statement (500 words) about why you want to study this course.
- Submit evidence of identity and citizenship status (e.g. passport).
Suitable applications may be invited to attend a 10-minute Study Readiness phone interview with members of the Teaching Faculty. This interview also provides students the opportunity to discuss any questions they have about the proposed course of study, ensuring their goals for the subject are met.
If you are unsure about your suitability or eligibility for this program, please contact [email protected]Â to discuss your specific situation in more detail.
Fees & Scholarships
Total Tuition Fees: $6,990*
Non-tuition fees: $0
Course fees are broken up into four terms, meaning you only need to pay for the units you are studying. Each term has a payment and census date, allowing additional entry and exit options.
Tuition Fee Payment Options:
Students enrolled in this course have the following payment options for tuition fees:
-
Up-front payment of all tuition fees,
-
Up-front deposit with a payment plan, or
-
VET Student Loan (VSL) – a government loan option available to eligible students to cover all or part of their tuition fees.
Please note: VET Student Loans are only available to students who meet all eligibility criteria. If you access a VSL, it will create a HELP debt that is repayable to the Commonwealth Government once your income reaches the repayment threshold. VSL only covers tuition fees. The approved VSL loan cap for the CHC51015 Diploma of Counselling is $18,838.00, as set by the Department. If your tuition fees exceed this cap, you’ll be responsible for paying the difference. The portion of your fees covered by VSL will be outlined in your VET Student Loans Statement of Covered Fees. For more information, visit VET Student Loans.
*Total fees are estimates only based on the current fee schedule. Annual tuition fee review and possible increases apply. For more information on tuition fees, please visit the Fees & Scholarships page.
Career Opportunities & Study Pathways
Potential careers outcomes include working in welfare and counselling.
Graduates who have successfully completed this qualification, will be prepared for further studies in counselling; such as the Bachelor of Psychology and Counselling, Graduate Certificate of Counselling and Psychotherapy or the Graduate Certificate in Child, Youth and Family Mental Health. Please speak with the teaching team to know which pathways best suits you. Â
Recognition Of Prior Learning (RPL)
Recognition of prior learning will be assessed as per the Course Information Handbook and the TLP005 Recognition of Prior Learning Policy, available here.
FAQ
- What is self-paced learning?
Self-paced learning means you can learn in your own time and schedule. You will receive access to our online learning management system to work through the topic’s narrated PowerPoint presentations, resources and assessments.
But don’t worry, studying online doesn’t mean studying alone at CMI! Our experienced trainers and dedicated Lecturer Support Tutor, are available to assist you at any stage along your student journey.
The weekly interactive sessions also provide you with the opportunity to attend either online or face-to-face, to work directly with the course trainer and fellow students. This provides you with the opportunity to benefit from group activities to fulfil your assessment needs.
- What if I can’t commit to the full course?
Cairnmillar now offers microcredential enrolment! This is a flexible option that allows you to attend classes and study the same material as those enrolled in the full course, with the ability to interact with lecturers and fellow students. This option is suitable for those taking the first steps towards a new degree, those who are considering a career change, and/or those who want to learn about a particular topic.
Units from all of our VET courses are available as microcredential enrolment. Cairnmillar’s microcredentials are also stackable, allowing you to qualify for a recognised qualification over a period of time, such as a Certificate or Diploma.
- What should I write in the ‘short written statement’ as part of my application? How long should it be?
Your personal statement should address why you wish to study your course of choice at Cairnmillar and should be 500 words long. Up to 10% either side is normally acceptable should your statement be a sentence or two under or over the limit.
From workshops, guest speakers, conferences and seminars, there's always something to do and experience at CMI.
We offer tailored education programs and sessional lectures for the general public, professionals working in the field of mental health, corporate clients, provisional psychologists and their supervisors.
Upgrade your career skills and deepen your knowledge of mental health, leadership and business subject areas, with flexible microcredential and single subject enrolment.
We have several pathways for people to become psychologists, counsellors, psychotherapists and mental health workers. Find your pathway and unlock your future.