Graduate Diploma in Counselling

What you will study

To qualify for the award a candidate must pass units to the value of 48 credit points, including a minimum of 30 credit points at 400-level and a maximum of 18 credit points at 500-level.

Entry requirements

This course is offered under five admission rules:

Rule A: You have completed a Bachelor qualification (AQF Level 7 or overseas equivalent).
If you are admitted on this basis, you will be eligible for admission under Rule A.

Rule B: You have completed the UNE Bachelor of Psychological Science (Counselling Major) from 2023 onwards.
If you are admitted on this basis, you will be eligible for admission under Rule B.

Rule C: You have completed the UNE Graduate Certificate in Mental Health Practice or the UNE Graduate Diploma in Mental Health Practice.
If you are admitted on this basis, you will be eligible for admission under Rule C.

Rule D: You have completed a Graduate Certificate (AQF Level 8), Graduate Diploma (AQF Level 8), Master's (AQF Level 9) or Doctorate qualification (AQF Level 10) (or overseas equivalents).
If you are admitted on this basis, you will be eligible for admission under Rule D.

Rule E: You have completed a minimum of three years of full-time (or part-time equivalent) relevant professional experience and training within the past ten years.
If you are admitted on this basis, you will be eligible for admission under Rule E.

Recognition of prior learning

Advanced Standing is credit or recognition of your previous study, work and/or life experience. This can reduce the cost and length of your studies.

Course Entry Advanced Standing

Some entry rules come with Advanced Standing or Articulation Programs that are assessed automatically without the need for you to fill in an additional application. Simply apply for your course and we’ll look after the rest.

• If you are admitted under Rule B, you will be granted 12 credit points of Specified Advanced Standing.
• If you are admitted under Rule C, you will be granted 24 credit points of Specified Advanced Standing. You cannot apply for further Advanced Standing.

Individual Unit Advanced Standing

If you are admitted into this course and believe you have already completed the equivalent of one or more of the units in your study within the last ten years, you can apply for Individual Unit Advanced Standing.

• If you are admitted under Rules A, D or E, you can apply for up to 24 credit points of Advanced Standing.
• If you are admitted under Rule B, you can apply for up to a further 12 credit points of Advanced Standing.

Outcomes

Career outcomes

The world of mental health and wellbeing in Australia is rapidly changing and the future growth of the sector is very strong. With UNE's Graduate Diploma in Counselling, your high skill level, practical experience and adaptability open a diverse range of opportunities. Counselling professionals are in demand across many specialty fields in the public, private and non-profit sectors, including:

• Relationship and Family Counselling
• Child and Adolescent Counselling
• Trauma and Grief Counselling
• Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation
• Mental Health Counselling
• Career and Student Counselling

Fees and CSP

Estimated first-year and full fee in 2026: $17,376 (Commonwealth Supported Place)

Estimated first-year and full fee in 2026: $28,320 (domestic full-fee paying place)

Estimated amenities fee per year if studying full-time: $373

The costs will depend on the units you choose to study, as the cost of individual units varies. “Estimated fees” are provided as a guide only based on a typical enrolment of students undertaking a study load of 48 credit points in the first year of this course. For courses that require fewer than 48 credit points, the fees indicated are based on the total credit points needed for the completion of that course.

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.

Commonwealth Supported Places

The Australian Government allocates a certain number of CSPs to the 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.

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.

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