Counsellors play a pivotal role in healthcare as they provide a safe space that’s non-judgemental and confidential for individuals that are dealing with mental illness or problems such as financial stress, loss and trauma.
There are currently over 34,000 counsellors in Australia and the profession is projected to continue to grow at a rate of 1,200 counsellors annually.
Whether you’re looking to become a counsellor or are already a counsellor, this article will provide you with further insight into how much counsellors make, factors that affect a counsellor’s salary and ways to boost salary potential.
How much do counsellors make?
According to SEEK, counsellors make an average annual salary of $90,000 to $105,000, though this does vary between states and territories. Hourly, counsellors typically earn an average hourly rate of $45 to $50 in Australia.
Here is the full list of average annual salaries across states and territories, ranked from highest to lowest, as reported by SEEK and Indeed:
- Northern Territory: $104,000
- Victoria: $100,000
- Western Australia: $99,000
- Australian Capital Territory: $95,000
- New South Wales: $95,000
- Queensland: $90,000
- Tasmania: $89,000
- South Australia: $80,000
Entry-level counsellor salary
While specific salary information for entry-level counsellors isn’t available, SEEK’s average annual salaries for counsellors provide a general guide.
According to the average annual salaries for counsellors, entry-level counsellors may expect to earn an average annual salary of $90,000 though this can vary depending on factors such as location and industry.
Factors affecting a counsellor’s salary
There are a few key factors such as location, experience, education, industry, registration and specialisation that affects a counsellor’s salary.
Location
According to SEEK, metropolitan cities such as Sydney, Darwin, Brisbane and Melbourne offer high average salaries ranging from $95,000 to $110,000.
Non-metropolitan regions such as Far West and North Central NSW, Katherine and Northern Australia and Alice Springs and Central Australia also offer high average annual salaries ranging from $103,000 to $106,000.
A survey by the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA) revealed that the majority of counsellors are based in major cities with a smaller proportion working in regional cities, rural areas and remote areas of Australia.
The attractive salaries in non-metropolitan areas may be an incentive to encourage more counsellors to work in these regions, helping to address the increasing demand for mental health services in underserved communities.
Experience
The more experience a counsellor has, the higher their potential salary. Many counsellor jobs advertised on SEEK offer a salary range that scales based on an applicant's qualifications and experience.
For example, a student counsellor job in Adelaide advertised on SEEK states a salary range of $80,000 to $116,000, with higher salaries offered to candidates with more experience.
Education
Having a postgraduate degree may also boost a counsellor’s salary potential.
According to the 2023 Graduate Outcomes Survey by Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching (QLIT), graduates with postgraduate qualifications earned approximately $25,000 more in their median annual salary compared to those with an undergraduate degree.
Postgraduate counselling courses often have specialised units and placement experiences that enable counsellors to further develop their skills and be better prepared to meet the demands of the field.
Industry
Counsellors can find employment in various settings such as hospitals, schools, government agencies, non-profit organisations and private practice with each of these sectors offering different salary ranges.
Below is a list of industries with the highest average salaries for counsellors from SEEK.
- Government and defence: $94,000
- Healthcare and medical: $87,000
- Education and training: $86,000
- Banking and financial services: $85,000
- Community services and development: $80,000
Salaries aren’t advertised for counsellors that have their own private practice, however, it can be lucrative as they often develop a portfolio income that includes activities such as private client work, statutory or charitable sector sessional counselling and the delivery of training courses, workshops and lectures.
Specialisation
There are many different specialisations in counselling and certain specialisations offer higher average salaries than others.
According to a study on job advertisements for counsellors published by the Psychotherapy and Counselling Journal of Australia (PACJA), domestic violence, sexual violence, working with children and substance abuse accounted for over half of counsellor job advertisements, highlighting demand.
This aligns with salary data which shows sexual assault counsellors and school counsellors earning more than the other specialisations:
- Sexual assault counsellor: $90,000 to $105,000
- School counsellor: $85,000 to $100,000
- Drug and alcohol counsellor: $85,000 to $95,000
- Rehabilitation counsellor: $85,000 to $95,000
- Child and youth counsellor: $85,000 to $95,000
- Career counsellor: $80,000 to $90,000
Registration
Despite counselling being an unregulated profession, many employers in the healthcare and mental health sectors prefer to hire counsellors that are registered.
Being a registered counsellor with either the Australian Counselling Association (ACA) or the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA) ensures that high standards of education, ethical practice and training are met, enhancing professional credibility and potentially salary outcomes.
Registration also provides counsellors with access to a broader range of job opportunities, including those listed on the PACFA website which often offer salaries above the industry average.
How to increase your salary as a counsellor
Consider relocating
If you’re open to relocation, you can consider relocating to locations that offer higher counsellor salaries such as Far West and North Central NSW, Northern Australia or Central Australia.
Jobs in these non-metropolitan regions also often come with added benefits such as relocation assistance, extra annual leave and subsidised accommodation.
Gain further work experience
Getting more work experience in the counselling space can help with increasing your earning potential.
If you’re new to the field, some ways that you can get additional work experience include volunteering at organisations such as Lifeline or similar or taking a postgraduate course that comes with a placement component.
For instance, the Master of Counselling at University of Canberra comes with placement units where students can undertake a supervised counselling placement in an agency setting.
Become a registered counsellor
Registering with either PACFA or ACA demonstrates your commitment to the profession and your professional growth.
To become a registered counsellor, there are eligibility requirements you would need to fulfill such as completing an accredited Diploma of Counselling course or both an accredited Diploma of Counselling and Bachelor of Counselling course.
Registration can be completed through the ACA or PACFA website and it is important to ensure that you meet their eligibility requirements and submit all relevant documentation before applying.
Consider specialising
As a counsellor, you have the freedom to work in different specialisations. With certain specialisations such as substance abuse, child and adolescent mental health and addiction commanding higher salaries, having specialised knowledge and skills in these areas may assist you with securing a role.
Courses like the Master of Counselling online course at Edith Cowan University include units such as Mental Health Counselling and Child and Adolescent Counselling which may equip you with skills, theories and techniques in these specialisations.
Pursue additional qualifications
With graduates that have postgraduate qualifications earning 35 per cent more than undergraduates, pursuing a postgraduate counselling degree may increase your salary potential.
A report published by PACJA which analysed counselling job advertisements revealed that most roles had a diverse and holistic emphasis, seeking candidates that have skill sets beyond counselling.
By pursuing an online postgraduate counselling course, you may develop a broader skill set to address the complex and evolving needs of individuals and communities.
Counsellor courses for boosting salary potential
At GlobalHealth Education, our university partners offer online accredited counselling courses. These courses will provide you with skills across a broad range of relevant disciplines and may boost your salary potential.
Graduate Certificate of Counselling at Edith Cowan University
The Graduate Certificate of Counselling is ideal if you’re looking to expand your foundational skills.
Units that you’ll study as a part of the course include:
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Foundations of Counselling Practice
Provides students with an understanding of the theoretical foundations and techniques of the three main schools of counselling. -
Theories and Techniques in Counselling
Investigates the diverse fundamentals of counselling theory and explores practical skills for implementation. -
The Role of the Counsellor
Discusses legal and ethical obligations of the counsellor and highlights the importance of working within a consistent yet flexible framework of service delivery.
Graduate Certificate in Counselling at the University of Canberra
The Graduate Certificate in Counselling provides foundational skills in counselling.
Units that you’ll study include:
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Counselling Theory and Approaches
Develops a critical understanding of major models of counselling and psychotherapy. -
Core Counselling Skills
Introduces students to theoretical and practical elements of the helping relationship. -
Principles of Ethical Conduct in Counselling
Develop skills in ethical decision making and sensitivity to the operation of power and privilege in professional counselling relationships. -
Diversity Inclusion Respect
Provides a global and critical understanding of human diversity and its significance for counselling knowledge and practice.
Graduate Diploma in Counselling at the University of Canberra
The Graduate Diploma in Counselling will further develop your counselling skills with practical, in-person experience. As part of the course, you will undertake a supervised counselling placement in an approved agency.
Some of the units that you’ll study include:
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Introduction to Placement and Supervision
Students will become familiar with the clinical supervision process and learn more about how to be successful in placement. -
Counselling Skills in Practice
Provides students with an opportunity to further develop their counselling skills in an interactive and supportive learning environment. -
Loss, Grief and Trauma in Counselling
Students will deepen their theoretical understanding of trauma, loss and grief and its impact on people’s lives.
Master of Counselling at Edith Cowan University
The Master of Counselling provides advanced, evidence-based counselling knowledge and skills. You will also undergo 220 hours of professional placement with an approved organisation.
Some of the units that you’ll study as part of the course include:
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Mental Health Counselling
Provides an understanding of common mental health problems and practical strategies to support individuals experiencing these issues. -
Trauma Informed Counselling
Students will learn how to recognise a range of trauma symptoms and explore evidence-based interventions. -
Advanced Theories and Techniques in Counselling
An advanced unit designed to extend and deepen student knowledge by providing students with opportunities to translate theory into practice through face-to-face simulated sessions.
Master of Counselling at the University of Canberra
With the Master of Counselling, you will extend and enhance your practical skills and also work closely with clinical supervisors while undertaking placement units.
Some of the units that you’ll study include:
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Understanding Mental Health
Focuses on mental health assessment and the determination of appropriate clinical interventions for people who are affected by the symptoms of mental illness. -
Next Level Counselling Skills
Extend students’ previous learning in counselling practice, theory and ethics. -
Creative Practices in Counselling
Introduces students to expressive therapies, tools and techniques for creative practice and the role of imagination and intuition in counselling.
Increase your earning potential
Select a course from above and enquire to connect with a Student Enrolment Advisor. They can answer any questions that you may have about the course and guide you through the application process.
Courses offered by our university partners are also available in a variety of other disciplines ranging from nursing to public health, psychology and leadership.