Course overview

This online postgraduate counselling diploma is designed for working professionals. With VU's flexible course delivery, you can study full-time for one year or part-time over two years. During this time, you will expand your understanding of counselling theory and intervention practices and apply this knowledge to various scenarios. You will also enhance your ethical and professional practice with extensive learning about the impact of social systems on client wellbeing. Drawing on this expertise, you will develop specific skills in treating children and adolescents, people from diverse backgrounds and those who have experienced trauma.

Through role plays and class activities, you will practise counselling skills and become adept at building rapport with clients to begin the therapeutic process. This practical learning can be applied in various settings, including the workplace, community and private practice. You will also develop skills for assessing client needs and formulating individual plans.

This course is accredited by the Australian Counselling Association (ACA).

Key facts

Delivery

Online

Study level

Postgraduate

Course type

Graduate Diploma

Duration

12 months (Full time)

Units

Fees

FEE-HELP

Price per unit

From $3,625

Intake

27th July, 2026

What you will study

To attain the Graduate Diploma in Counselling Theory and Practice, students will be required to complete 96 credit points of core studies.

Core units

Foundations of Counselling
Counselling Theories and Interventions
Counselling across the Lifespan
Foundations of Child and Adolescent Counselling
Trauma-informed Counselling
Supervision and Reflection Practice for Counsellors
Ethics and Professional Practice for Counsellors
Working with Diversity in Counselling

Entry requirements

To be considered for postgraduate study, you will need to have specific academic qualifications, as outlined below. Victoria University also considers non-academic research and work experience for research candidates.

Admission criteria

Applicants must have one of the following:

Completion of an Australian Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in any discipline.
Completion of an Australian Graduate Diploma (or equivalent) in any discipline.

Special entry programs

If you are from a disadvantaged or underrepresented social, economic or cultural background, you may be eligible for one of the university's special admission programs. These programs are designed to help you access education more easily.

Recognition of Prior Learning

You may be able to get credit for your course based on prior formal, non-formal or informal learning. To apply, you will need to provide supporting documentation outlined by the university. Contact the university for more information.

Outcomes

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

Demonstrate advanced understanding of human development and a diverse range of human experiences and how they may impact wellbeing.
Critically review counselling theories and contemporary professional literature to formulate and implement evidence-based counselling practice.
Exemplify understanding of cultural and systemic considerations relevant to counselling practice and when working in an interprofessional context.
Appraise and demonstrate advanced knowledge of psychological theories and therapeutic approaches relevant to counselling assessments, case formulations and interventions.
Formulate evidence-based intervention plans for a range of counselling presentations with due consideration of psychosocial and cultural issues.
Critically reflect on core ethical and professional conduct issues likely to be encountered when working with people in a counselling context.

Career outcomes