Graduate Certificate in Counselling (Behavioural Health)

What you will study

A student must complete 18 credit points to qualify for the Graduate Certificate in Counselling (Behavioural Health).

• Fundamental Counselling Skills
• Fundamentals of Clinical Practice
• Theories of Counselling and Psychotherapy
• Brief Interventions and Counselling Approaches

Entry requirements

Applicants must:

• Hold a bachelor's degree or equivalent in a health-related area, e.g. behavioural science, counselling, medicine, nursing, occupational therapy, psychology or social work.
• Hold a bachelor's degree in a non-health-related area with a minimum of two years full-time equivalent relevant work experience in counselling, psychology or behavioural science.
• Hold a bachelor's degree in a non-health-related area with evidence of continuous professional development (PD) in counselling or post-degree courses related to counselling, or psychology.
• Have three years full-time equivalent work experience in counselling, psychology or behavioural science.

However, the Dean (Education) may, under certain circumstances and subject to specific conditions, admit others who can show evidence of fitness for candidature.

Outcomes

Learning outcomes

• Critically evaluate key counselling theories and frameworks.
• Demonstrate knowledge and skills in fundamental counselling practices.
• Critically analyse the role and function of group processes and dynamics within an interdisciplinary context.
• Demonstrate reflective and ethical practice about counselling, inclusivity and equity within professional guidelines and the scope of practice.

Career outcomes

Graduates of this program are competent and equipped to contribute to improving mental health service delivery because of their specialised knowledge and clinical competencies in CBT. Graduates can work in private and public health care organisations and are trained to work in various primary mental health care roles. Graduates already in health professional roles are well-placed to embark on leadership positions clinically, academically and through research opportunities.

Potential occupations include:

• Counsellor
• Psychotherapist
• Health Coach / Low Intensity Practitioner (applicable to graduates of the Diploma).

Potential employers include:

• Public and Private Health Organisations
• Education Providers
• Non-government and Community Sectors
• Health Promotion Agencies
• Private Practice/Self-Employment

Fees and CSP

Indicative annual fee in 2025: $8,496 (Commonwealth supported)

Indicative annual fee in 2025: $14,400 (Domestic full-fee paying place)

A student’s annual fee 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.

Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP)

The Australian Government allocates certain numbers of Commonwealth Supported Places to universities each year, which are then distributed to students based on merit.

If you're a Commonwealth Supported Student (CSS), you'll only need to pay a portion of your tuition fees. This is known as the student contribution amount – the balance once the government subsidy is applied. This means your costs are much lower.

Limited CSP spaces are offered to students enrolled in selected postgraduate courses.

Your student contribution amount is:

• Calculated per unit you're enrolled in.
• Depending on the study areas they relate to.
• Reviewed and adjusted each year.

HECS-HELP loans are available to CSP students to pay the student contribution amount.

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