Flinders University
Graduate Diploma in Counselling (Behavioural Health)
- Delivery: Face to Face
- Study Level: Postgraduate
- Duration: 12 months
Enhance skills and professional qualities in conducting evidence-based assessments and interventions in counselling.
Course overview
A nationally accredited qualification in counselling. Informed by cognitive-behavioural approaches, guided self-help, and self-management, which support and respond to priority groups and populations. Graduates undertake a supervised industry placement working within a clinical context. Recognise the intersection between behaviour, physical and mental health within a contemporary socio-ecological perspective, respect and respond to culture and diversity in practice and understand the importance of collaboration through recognition of lived experience.
CSP Subsidised Fees Available
This program has a limited quota of Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP). The indicative CSP price is calculated based on first year fees for EFT. The actual fee may vary if there are choices in electives or majors.
Key facts
From $2,124 (CSP)
What you will study
To qualify for the Graduate Diploma in Counselling (Behavioural Health), a student must complete 36 units.
- Fundamental Counselling Skills
- Fundamentals of Clinical Practice
- Theories of Counselling and Psychotherapy
- Brief Interventions and Counselling Approaches
- Advanced Therapeutic Approaches to Counselling (9 credit points)
- Clinical Practicum 1: Applications of Counselling Practice
Option
Select 4.5 units from the following:
- Motivational Interviewing
- Trauma Informed Knowledge and Practice in Counselling
Entry requirements
Admission requirements
Applicants must hold a qualification at least equivalent to an Australian Bachelor's degree in a health-related area, e.g., behavioural science, counselling, medicine, nursing, occupational therapy, psychology or social work or hold the Graduate Certificate in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy or the Graduate Certificate in Behavioural Health or the Graduate Certificate in Counselling (Behavioural Health) from Flinders University.
Outcomes
Learning outcomes
On completion of the course, you will be able to:
- Demonstrate an understanding of socio-ecological approaches that support integrated counselling practice
- Demonstrate competencies in the delivery of evidence-based health behaviour change strategies to address health-impacting determinants.
- Practice in an inclusive, culturally competent and trauma-informed way
- Recognise the attributes and behaviours that build healthy professional relationships.
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: $16,992 (Commonwealth supported)
Indicative annual fee in 2025: $28,800 (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.
