Graduate Diploma in Counselling

What you will study

The Graduate Diploma in Counselling encompasses eight units.

Core units

• Counselling Theory and Approaches
• Core Counselling Skills
• Principles of Ethical Conduct in Counselling
• Diversity Inclusion Respect
• Introduction to Placement and Supervision
• Counselling Skills in Practice
• Loss, Grief and Trauma in Counselling
• Placement A - Putting It All into Practice

Entry requirements

To be eligible for the Graduate Diploma in Counselling, applicants must:

• Have an undergraduate or postgraduate degree in any discipline.
• Fulfil non-standard English language requirements that are outlined in ‘Additional requirements’.

English language requirements

To be eligible to enrol in this course, you must meet the relevant English language requirements.

You can demonstrate your proficiency in a number of ways, including through an approved English language test or recognised past study taught and assessed in English.

The Master of Counselling requires an overall IELTS Academic score (or equivalent) of 7.0, with no band score below 7.0.

Get in touch with the university or visit its website for more information.

Outcomes

Learning outcomes

• Build on the foundations of counselling: Acquire a critical understanding of human diversity and the major models of counselling that will strengthen your capability to work in a range of social and cultural contexts.
• Respectful approach to counselling: Develop the knowledge on how to work with people from diverse cultural backgrounds and identities.
• Dedicated support: A Student Success Adviser is allocated to support you throughout your study journey, from enrolment to graduation.
• ACA accredited: The course is recognised as a professional qualification in counselling and accredited by the Australian Counselling Association (ACA), in line with their Professional Training Standards.

Career outcomes

Build on the foundational counselling skills with experiential practice that applies to various organisations and teams. This qualification allows you to take the next step in your career as a:

• Private practice counsellor
• Family relationship counsellor
• Support worker
• Caseworker
• Youth worker
• Substance abuse counsellor
• Corrections and prison support
• Child and adolescent counsellors
• Mental health workers and many other human service roles.

Fees and FEE-HELP

Indicative cost per unit in 2026: $3,562.50 (domestic full-fee paying place)

Indicative total course cost in 2026: $28,500 (domestic full-fee paying place)

Indicative fees shown are based on a part-time study load of eight units.

Student fees may vary in accordance with:

• The number of units studied per term.
• The choice of major or specialisation.
• Choice of units.
• Credit from previous study or work experience.
• Eligibility for government-funded loans.

You may also need to pay the student services and amenities fee.

Student fees shown are subject to change. Contact the university directly to confirm.

FEE-HELP loans are available to assist eligible full-fee paying domestic students with the cost of a university course.