Counsellors play a pivotal role in guiding individuals through life’s difficulties and supporting them on their journey towards better mental health and wellbeing. There are currently over 33,000 counsellors across Australia and this number is expected to grow in the coming years.
If you’re thinking of becoming a counsellor, you’ll typically need to undertake a counselling placement as part of your counselling qualification. A counselling placement offers valuable, hands-on experience that will help bridge the gap between your studies and professional practice.
In this guide, we answer common questions pertaining to counselling placements, ensuring you've got a better understanding of what’s involved and what to expect.
Counselling student placements: your questions answered
Understanding counselling placements
What is a counselling work placement?
A counselling work placement is a supervised, practical training experience that you may complete as part of your counselling course. It bridges classroom learning with real-world experience, allowing you to put what you’ve learned into practice.
The goal of a counselling work placement is to allow you to gain confidence and competence as a counsellor. During your placement, you’ll have the opportunity to conduct assessments, implement counselling interventions and critically reflect on your practice under the guidance of a placement supervisor.
Who needs to complete a counselling work placement?
You’ll typically need to complete a counselling work placement if you’re studying a bachelor’s, graduate diploma or master’s degree in counselling. This is especially true for courses that are accredited by professional bodies such as the Australian Counselling Association (ACA) or the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA), as practical experience is often a requirement to become a registered counsellor in Australia.
Depending on the institution, some Diploma of Counselling courses may also include a placement component as part of the course requirements.
How many hours of counselling work placement do I need to complete?
The number of counselling placement hours you need to complete varies depending on your course level and the institution. Generally, however, it ranges from around 100 to over 250 hours. If you're unsure, always check with the institution for the exact placement hour requirements.
Here are some general guidelines:
Diploma
Some Diploma of Counselling courses include a placement component that’s typically between 100 and 200 hours. The Australian College of Community Services and Care, for example, has a Diploma of Counselling course that requires a minimum work placement of 100 hours.
Bachelor’s degree
Most Bachelor of Counselling courses require at least 200 hours of work placement. For example, Torren University’s Bachelor of Counselling requires 340 hours of work placement across two subjects.
Graduate diploma
Graduate Diploma of Counselling courses usually require between 100 to 200 hours of work placement. The University of Canberra’s Graduate Diploma in Counselling, for instance, requires a mandatory placement of 105 hours.
Master’s degree
Master of Counselling courses typically require between 200 to 250 hours of work place. The Master of Counselling at Edith Cowan University, for example, requires 220 hours of professional field placement.
Do all postgraduate counselling courses in Australia include placements?
Most postgraduate counselling courses in Australia – particularly graduate diplomas and master’s degrees – do include a placement component. However, shorter or foundational postgraduate courses such as graduate certificates usually do not require placements. For instance, Edith Cowan University’s Graduate Certificate in Counselling, which can be completed in six months part-time, focuses on foundational theory and does not have a placement component. Similarly, the University of Canberra has a Graduate Certificate in Counselling, which also focuses on equipping students with introductory counselling skills and does not include a placement component.
Do I get paid for my counselling work placement in Australia?
Counselling work placements in Australia are typically unpaid because they are considered an educational requirement rather than employment. According to the Fair Work Act, a student placement is lawfully unpaid if it meets certain criteria, such as being a mandated part of an education or training course.
While undertaking an unpaid placement can be challenging, particularly when balancing financial, family and study commitments, placements are a critical and beneficial part of your professional development. To manage this period effectively, it’s important to plan ahead, especially as a counselling placement usually requires a consistent weekly commitment over several months.
If you’re of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent, you can consider applying for GlobalHealth Education’s Healthcare Education Scholarship. The scholarship provides financial support to a healthcare student who is experiencing financial disadvantage. The successful applicant will receive $5,000 to support their undergraduate or postgraduate studies in healthcare. The scholarship can be used to pay for placement-related costs.
When can I start my counselling placement?
You’ll typically start your counselling placement after submitting all of the necessary documentation required by the institution and meeting specific prerequisites. This ensures you have the foundational knowledge and skills required before working with clients.
While the timing varies between institutions, here are a few common patterns of when you’d typically start your counselling placement:
Midway or later in your course
Most counselling courses will have you complete your placement in the second half of the course, as by this stage, you’re expected to have a solid foundation and be ready to engage with clients in a supervised setting.
For example, the Professional Field Placement unit in Edith Cowan University’s Master of Counselling is completed towards the end of the course after you’ve completed essential units such as Advanced Theories and Techniques in Counselling and Ethics and Counselling Practice.
After completing specific units
Some institutions require you to complete preparatory units before starting a placement. At the University of Canberra, for instance, students must finish the Introduction to Placement and Supervision unit prior to commencement of their placement.
Can prior work or volunteer experience count towards my placement?
While it’s understandable to seek recognition for relevant experience, most institutions do not allow prior work or volunteer experience to replace placement hours. This is because counselling placements are required to meet certain academic criteria such as alignment with learning outcomes and formal supervision.
The purpose of a counselling placement is also to diversify your experience, allowing you to apply your newly acquired skills in different settings and with diverse client groups. Therefore, it’s unlikely previous experiences would be able to substitute placement hours. If you believe your prior experience meets specific institutional criteria, however, it’s best to discuss this directly with your placement coordinator.
Finding and organising your placement
H3: Where can I complete my counselling placement?
Counselling placements can be completed in a wide variety of settings. Examples include:
- Community health organisations
- Drug and alcohol support services
- Family violence services
- Helplines and online services
- Hospitals
- Housing assistance programs
- Men’s health services
- Multicultural centres
- Private practices
- Schools
- Veteran affairs services
- Workplace assistance programs
- Youth programs
Do I need to find my own counselling placement opportunities?
This depends on the institution. Some organise placements for you, while others expect you to find your own.
Institutions that arrange counselling placements
Certain institutions have dedicated placement teams that can help you with securing a suitable work placement and guide you through the process. For example, Edith Cowan University and the University of Canberra, provide placement support for students enrolled in the online Master of Counselling course.
The courses below are listed by qualification level, from lowest to highest.
Support may, however, vary depending on your location. At Monash University, for instance, the placement team arranges placements for students in Melbourne, but if you’re based in a rural, interstate or overseas location, you’ll need to source the placement yourself.
Finding your own counselling placement
Some institutions require you to take the lead in arranging your own placement. If this applies to you, it’s a good idea to start researching and reaching out to placement organisations as early as possible.
That being said, you won’t be on your own. Most institutions offer support through resources, guidelines and staff who will assist you and ensure that your placement meets the necessary academic requirements.
Hybrid approach
Some institutions may list pre-approved placement opportunities through a portal or database. If none align with your interests or location, you’ll typically have the option to find your own placement so long as it meets the course’s criteria and is approved by the institution.
How far will I have to travel for my counselling placement?
You should be prepared to commute to your counselling placement. The travel distance depends largely on your location and the availability of suitable placement opportunities. Generally, placement opportunities are within one to two hours from your home. At Edith Cowan University, for instance, students are advised that counselling placements are typically within approximately one and a half hours from their home.
Here’s what you may expect based on your location:
Metro areas
If you’re living in a capital city or metropolitan area, your placement may be within your region or a surrounding area.
Regional or rural areas
If you reside in a regional or rural area, local placement options might be limited. You may have to travel to a larger nearby town or city to access suitable placement opportunities.
Can I complete my counselling placement at more than one placement organisation?
Yes, it may be possible to complete your counselling placement at more than one placement organisation if your initial placement ends early, you relocate or you’d like to gain broader experience across different settings.
In all cases, both placement organisations must still meet all supervision and course requirements. Splitting your counselling placement usually also requires prior approval from your university and may involve additional coordination and paperwork, so it’s important to discuss this option early with your placement coordinator.
Placement logistics and flexibility
Can I choose what days I’d like to do my counselling placement?
The days you attend your counselling placement are usually negotiated with the placement organisation. While there may be some flexibility, your schedule must align with the placement organisation’s needs.
At Monash University, for instance, students usually undertake their placements one to two days per week and the specific days are determined in consultation with the placement organisation. You will not be able to select the days on your own and the schedule must be agreed upon by both parties.
Can I do my counselling placement online?
Most institutions will require you to complete your counselling placements in Australia in person with only a select few allowing counselling placements to be completed online.
That said, depending on where you're placed, you may be required to conduct some counselling sessions via telehealth. These virtual sessions are typically treated the same as face-to-face sessions and can usually count towards your required direct client contact hours.
If you’d like to do an online counselling placement and are unsure of whether your institution offers them, it’s always best to check with your placement coordinator for the most up-to-date guidelines.
Can I do my counselling placement at my current workplace or where I volunteer?
It may be possible to undertake your counselling placement at your current workplace or where you’re volunteering, provided certain conditions are met. Typical conditions include:
- Working with different clients than those you usually support, preferably within a separate department
- Being supervised by a qualified supervisor who is not your current manager
- Ensuring your placement hours are clearly distinguished from your regular employment or volunteer hours
These conditions ensure your counselling placement provides new learning opportunities, allowing you to apply your counselling skills in a fresh context. If you think your current workplace or volunteer organisation may meet the placement criteria, you can reach out to your institution for further guidance.
Requirements and expectations
What requirements do I need to fulfil before my counselling placement?
Before beginning your counselling placement, you’ll generally need to fulfil several requirements which may include:
Completing coursework prerequisites
Ensuring that all mandatory preliminary units or specific modules outlined by your course are completed prior to placement.
Completing background checks
Obtaining clearances such as a Working with Children Check (or equivalent) and a National Police Check. Depending on where your placement is, additional checks like an NDIS Worker Screening Check may also be required.
Showing proof of immunisations
Some placements may require evidence of immunisations, such as proof of COVID-19 vaccination or other relevant vaccinations.
Completing placement paperwork
You will likely need to complete forms such as placement agreements or other paperwork. You may also be required to participate in an interview with the prospective placement organisation before securing your placement.
What requirements do I need to fulfil during my counselling placement?
While exact requirements depend on your institution, you will typically be expected to:
Complete your placement hours
For instance, if your course mandates 220 placement hours, you must log and fulfil these hours accordingly.
Engage with clients and complete related tasks
You’ll participate in direct client interactions and complete related tasks such as writing case notes, preparing for sessions and attending team meetings.
Complete required assessments
During your placement, you’ll typically be required to complete a range of assessments. These may include keeping a reflective journal to document your learning experience, completing a case study and submitting a completed evaluation form from your placement supervisor.
Attend supervision sessions
While undertaking your counselling placement, it’s generally a requirement that you participate in clinical supervision. These sessions may be held individually or in groups and their purpose is to provide you with professional guidance, support your skill development and encourage you to reflect on your counselling practice.
How do I prepare for my counselling placement?
Aside from fulfilling prerequisites and submitting required documents, additional ways to prepare for your counselling placement include:
Organising your schedule and managing commitments
Once your placement days are confirmed, proactively plan and adjust your other commitments such as work, family responsibilities or personal obligations. It’s important that you treat your placement like a professional commitment and consider logistical aspects like transportation ahead of time, so it’s not a stressor on day one.
Undertaking additional mental health training
Consider completing supplementary training courses such as Mental Health First Aid or SafeTALK: Suicide Prevention. While not mandatory, these courses can provide practical skills for handling mental health crises or sensitive situations during your placement.
Familiarising yourself with the placement organisation If you know where your placement is going to be, take some time to research the organisation as this may help to ease the transition into the role.
Preparing yourself mentally and emotionally
It’s normal to feel nervous before starting placement. To help build your confidence, you can review the counselling techniques and skills you’ve learned throughout your studies or engage in role-play sessions with peers.
It’s also important to prioritise your wellbeing. Counselling placements can be emotionally challenging, so it’s vital to identify self-care strategies to manage stress effectively.
Can I choose the client demographic that I work with?
If your institution’s placement team arranges your placement, you can usually indicate your preferences regarding client demographics or specific areas of interest. Although your preferences will be considered, placements depend on factors such as the availability of suitable organisations, whether there are qualified supervisors and if it meets the course’s academic criteria.
If you’re responsible for arranging your own placement, you’ll have more flexibility to approach organisations that align closely with your interests.
While you may have preferences or specific areas of interest, it’s beneficial to remain open-minded as being adaptable and open to working with diverse client populations can enhance your learning during your counselling work placement.
Your future in counselling starts here
Counselling is a deeply impactful career and during your counselling work placement, you’ll witness firsthand the profound impact counsellors can have.
If you’re thinking of pursuing this profession, explore the range of postgraduate counselling courses available at GlobalHealth Education. Courses are also offered in other disciplines such as psychology, counselling, nursing, mental health, healthcare leadership and management, public health and social work. To apply, simply select a course and enquire to speak with a Student Enrolment Advisor.
Book a free professional development strategy call and connect with our Education Consultant, Catriona.
