Educational and career counselling
Our TAFE NSW career counselling service is available to current and prospective students, and is free.
Career counselling
All TAFE NSW counsellors are qualified and experienced.
They provide educational and career guidance to help you choose courses that align with your:
- skills
- interests
- career goals.
They can help whether you’re:
- leaving school
- entering the workforce
- returning to work
- changing careers
- looking to upskill.
They can guide you to:
- gain practical skills to get your dream job
- improve study skills for university
- turn your passion into a business
- prepare yourself for that next career move
- improve your confidence when returning to the workforce.
Counselling help
Counselling staff will work with you to develop strategies that assist you to:
- make the right course choices
- prepare for your course studies
- enrol in your course
- apply for recognition (credit for experience and/or qualifications)
- manage your time and develop study skills
- combat learning difficulties and exam anxiety
- fit time to study around work or family demands
- prepare for exams and assessments
- navigate other concerns or questions about returning to, or continuing, study.
Beyond study
At TAFE NSW, we know that studying with us is just one step in your journey. Our careers counsellors will also provide advice and guidance on post-study career planning.
This includes:
- how to set goals based on your skills
- career exploration and planning
- re-training options
- job search skills
- how to write resumes, applications and cover letters
- interview preparation
- referrals to specialist job placement services.
Book a session
If you’re currently enrolled or are interested in gaining a TAFE NSW qualification, you can book a counselling session with us.
Call our Counselling Administration team to make an appointment with a TAFE NSW counsellor. Call 131 601 and choose option 5, then option 2.
Confidentiality
The TAFE NSW Counselling and Career Development Service is a free and confidential service. TAFE NSW counsellors are bound by law and need to provide information when legally required to do so.
This could apply if:
- your life is in danger or at serious risk of harm
- someone else’s life is in danger or at serious risk of harm
- the information is for a court subpoena, which is a compulsory request for copies of relevant records. This may be to protect a child or young person from serious harm.
If you need to speak with a counsellor in your own language, please notify the administration team when making your appointment. You may be referred to another counsellor who speaks your preferred language.
FAQs
This confidential service is offered free of charge to both currently enrolled and future students at TAFE NSW. If you’re interested in studying at TAFE NSW course but aren’t quite sure which course to pick, educational and career counselling can help you decide.
Some campuses have bilingual counsellors, who can run a counselling session in other languages. Please let the phone operate know what language you require when you call 131 601.
TAFE NSW counselling services are open from 8:30am to 4pm, Monday to Friday. The service isn’t open on weekends, public holidays or student vacation periods.
If you have an emergency call 000 for urgent help from police, fire or ambulance services. For other urgent assistance, please call one of the numbers listed under ‘Emergency support and assistance’ on our counselling services page.
Explore more
Counselling services
Personal challenges can sometimes affect your wellbeing, energy and ability to focus. That's why TAFE NSW offers free counselling for both current and future students.
Study support
We offer a range of learning support to assist you throughout your studies. We can help with literacy, numeracy and understanding assessments.
Aboriginal support
We offer specific support to our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. We're here to help your mob succeed and thrive in your studies.