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Overview
About this course
Help people make positive changes in their lives. Build your confidence and communication skills. Learn how to support people from different backgrounds and prepare for a career in counselling.
Outcomes
What you'll gain
Learning outcomes
Through a mixture of theory and practical course work, learn to:
use communication, micro-counselling and interviewing skills to support people
use varied counselling therapies to assist clients
understand why people think, feel and act in different ways
build safe and respectful relationships with clients
work safely and effectively in a counselling workplace
communicate clearly and effectively.
Course outcomes
Learn core skills that prepare you for opportunities in your chosen field.
A nationally accredited diploma qualification.
The ability to build safe and respectful counselling relationships.
The skills to engage with diverse people.
A step towards accreditation with relevant professional associations.
Strong pathways to continue studies and enhance career opportunities.
Suitability
Is this course right for you?
Entry requirements
This course requires evidence of previous experience or study before you can enrol.
Some delivery options have additional entry requirements. Check your preferred option before you apply.
Completion requirements
During your study you'll need to provide your teacher with the following evidence:
Entry recommendations
To be prepared for this course, we recommend that you have:
good computer skills
empathy, patience and a desire to empower others
relevant work or experience in community services (useful but not essential).
The following foundation skills:
You can plan your learning, change your plan when needed and keep going until you reach your goal.
You can read longer texts and understand their main ideas.
You can write short sentences and paragraphs that others can understand.
You can join group talks and share your ideas clearly.
You can do everyday maths like working out prices or reading a timetable.
You can use email, search the internet and open files.
Important information:
This course includes topics and situations that might be upsetting. Think about how you might feel before starting the course or working in this area. If you need help getting ready to study, contact us to talk about your options.
We tailor our courses to meet local community needs, so some campuses may have extra entry requirements. Check your preferred location for details. Need help preparing? Contact us for support.
Find Your Fit
This simple tool guides you to a suitable course level based on your foundation skills and confidence.
Pathways
Future career and study options
Career pathways
Our graduates go onto roles like:
Community Worker
Community Workers facilitate community development initiatives and collective solutions within a community to address issues, needs and problems associated with recreational, health, housing, employment and other welfare matters.
Full-time share Full-time workers usually work 35 hours or more a week (in all their jobs combined).
66%
Employment size Employment size is the number of workers who do this as their main job.
9,400 workers
Average age This is the average age of all workers in this job.
45 years
Weekly pay Median earnings are shown for full-time, non-managerial employees paid at the adult rate, before tax or any amounts that are salary sacrificed. These figures are a guide to earnings only and should not be used to determine a wage rate.
$1,340
Average full-time The average full-time hours that people in this role work each week.
40 hours
Skill level rating Skill level ratings are based on the range and complexity of job roles. In general, the higher the skill level, the more formal education and training, previous experience or on-the-job training needed to be good at the job.
High
Gender share
80% female
Future growth The Department of Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business estimates the likely change in number of workers in this role, or industry, over the next 5 years. Future growth is the likely percentage change compared to all other job roles.
Strong Growth
Other jobs include: counsellor, case manager, case coordinator, support worker and mental health support worker.
Licensing
The Diploma of Counselling is accredited by the Australian Counselling Association (ACA).
You can apply for a free ACA student membership when you enrol.
When you successfully complete this course, you can apply for Level 1 membership and registration with ACA. Visit the ACA website for additional Level 1 membership requirements.
Study pathways
Take your study further with other courses offered at TAFE NSW:
Previous study1 Course
Begin here to gain experience and confidence in this study area.
Further study1 Course
Advance your skills to take your career to the next level
Related study1 Course
Learn core skills that prepare you for opportunities in your chosen field.
Your experience counts
At TAFE NSW, we recognise your previous study and work experience. You can apply for recognition of prior learning or a credit transfer with any of our courses. If you're successful you'll get your qualification faster.
Units
Units taught in this course
Courses are made up of a combination of both core and specialty units. In the Diploma of Counselling qualification, you’ll need to successfully complete 17 units of competency, including 13 core and 4 speciality units.
Please note, not all specialty units are offered at every TAFE NSW location. It is highly recommended that you check with your preferred campus for information about the specialty units offered at that location.
Core units - 13
Core units are central to the job outcomes of a particular industry or occupation. These are the units industry has agreed are essential to be capable and qualified at a particular study level.
Recognise and respond to crisis situationsCHCCCS019
Establish and confirm the counselling relationshipCHCCSL001
Apply specialist interpersonal and counselling interview skillsCHCCSL002
Facilitate the counselling relationship and processCHCCSL003
Industry
Partnerships and accreditations
The Diploma of Counselling is accredited by the Australian Counselling Association (ACA). When you successfully complete this course, you can apply for Level 1 membership and registration with ACA. Visit the ACA website for additional Level 1 membership requirements.
ACA Accredited Training
TAFE NSW services
Facilities and support
TAFE NSW provides support services across all campus locations and online. Whatever your needs or circumstances, we have the people, resources, counselling and facilities to support you in focusing on your studies.
TAFE NSW Disability Support Service
TAFE NSW Language, Literacy and Numeracy (LLN) support
TAFE NSW Aboriginal Support; Learner support (ABE)
TAFE NSW Careers, Counselling and Pathways Service
TAFE NSW Libraries
Scholarship programs - be supported as you explore your talents and fulfil your potential
Read&Write literacy and study support software is available free for all TAFE NSW students to use while studying on campus and at home
LinkedIn Learning - an online resource which offers innovative courses and tutorials to improve your personal and professional skills
Student associations - get social with our student community
Study options