Health

Graduate Diploma of Counselling

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What is a Graduate Diploma of Counselling?

The Graduate Diploma of Counselling provides a postgraduate qualification for you to enhance your skills in the professional domain of counselling and interpersonal communication. This online course focuses on the theories and practices of counselling, and offers practical experience through supervised work placement.

You will learn about the importance of personal self-care while caring for others, the effects of vicarious trauma and how to best provide services through telehealth.You will be equipped with professional counselling experience and a wide range of skills to enable further lifelong learning, support continued resilience-building, and facilitate effective interpersonal communication across business, community, education or wellbeing settings. The Graduate Diploma of Counselling enables you to begin a career as a counsellor or enhance your current practice, or can also act as a pathway to the master's degree.

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Learning outcomes

  • Identify and analyse the major issues that affect the health of populations.
  • Evaluate the effectiveness of policy and management to promote health and welfare.
  • Identify and describe environmental risk factors that affect the health and safety of a population.
  • Demonstrate a commitment to the ethical practice of public health, and the principles of access and equity.
  • Apply local and global public health awareness to public health challenges.
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ACA accredited

This course is accredited by the Australian Counselling Association.

Study mode
Blended
Campus locations
Online, Sydney
Student
Domestic
Course duration
1 year full time, 2 years part time
Start date
3 June 2024
16 Sep 2024
Fees & scholarships

This is an AQF Level 8 course delivered by Torrens University Australia Ltd.

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Designed to fit in with you
With all your learning materials online, you can tailor a schedule to fit your personal needs.

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Learn from counselling experts
Our counselling academics understand where the mental health industry is heading and will guide you on your learning journey.

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40+ years of counselling experience
Our heritage with the Jansen Newman Institute ensures you’re learning from more than 40 years of counselling experience.
Meet our Counselling Alumni, Jacqueline Tow. She is a Child and Adolescent Neurofeedback Counsellor, practicing neurofeedback counselling with children, young people and their families.
Career Opportunities |Counselling| Torrens University

Career opportunities

This course has been designed to expand your employment opportunities in roles that leverage counselling and communication skills. You’ll have a range of job opportunities available in the professional domain of counselling and other support services, as well as the opportunity to continue your studies at master's level.

Potential career paths

  • Counsellor
    Average salary: $84,444 - $115,420
  • Case Manager
    Average salary: $78,610 - $114,408
  • Rehabilitation Counsellor
    Average salary: $79,673 - $100,000
  • Addiction Counsellor
    Average salary: $51,675 - $58,011
Andres Figueredo | TUA
I really enjoyed the practical experience during this course which allowed me to take part in role play and use the facilities in the Clinic to practice triage with video calls and recordings.
Andres Figueredo
Graduate Diploma of Counselling

Subjects and units

Each subject involves 10 hours of study per week, comprising 3 hours of facilitated study and 7 hours self-directed study. Two subjects include a compulsory attendance requirement and one subjects includes compulsory attendance at work integrated learning placements.

Requirements

These eight core subjects must be completed.

Core subjects

  • Advanced Therapeutic Communication | ATC401
  • Theoretical Approaches to Counselling | TAC402
  • Life Stages and Development | LSD403
  • Self Care & Developing Resilience | SDR404
  • Mental Health | MEH505
  • Digital Counselling | DGC506
  • Clinical Practice & Supervision | CPS507
  • Advanced Counselling Skills | ACS504

Industry partners and work placements

Work-Integrated Learning and Practicum Experiences are embedded throughout the course and are incorporated into theory subjects. Work placements and Work-Integrated Learning programs provide a valuable resource for you to develop hands-on practical experience to ensure you graduate confident and job-ready.

Work placement hours

As part of your course, you’ll have the chance to undertake 40 hours of work placement in the form of supervised clinical practice either in our Sydney Clinic - The Practice Wellbeing Centre (which offers low-cost counselling services to the public) and/or in selected outplacements through external organisations. This placement occur within one subject (CPS507). You will be required to complete at least 80 hours of experiential practical skills training at the campus-based Practical Intensive Workshops that are spread over two subjects (TAC402, ACS504A).

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Entry details

Fees

Check the domestic course fee schedule for the cost of your course.

FEE-HELP

Eligible Australian students may choose to defer some, or all, of their tuition fees through FEE-HELP, a loan scheme repaid through the tax system based on income.

Learn more about fees and FEE-HELP

Scholarships

If you are truly passionate about health, we want to hear from you. We have a variety of health scholarships on offer to assist you in becoming a key part of the health industry:

Admission criteria

Before you begin your application to study as a domestic student, check that you meet at least one of the requirements listed below.

AQF Level 7 (Bachelor degree) or above in a relevant discipline

OR

A Bachelor's degree and complete the Torrens Work Life entry form demonstrating your interest in and suitability to gain entry to the course.

View full course admission information

Guaranteed pathway and Recognition of Prior Learning

If you have already completed a qualification or gained skills through life or work experience, you may be able to credit this against your degree with us. Check information about Recognition of Prior Learning and Course Credit transfer. We also offer pathway opportunities to further your learning.

Learn more about study pathways

How to apply

Frequently asked questions

  • What are Torrens University Australia’s ATAR requirements for domestic students?
  • What if  I don’t meet the entry criteria for a degree?
  • Am I eligible for FEE-HELP?
  • Can I get course credit for previous experience?
  • What are Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and Credit Transfer (CT)? How do I apply?
  • How do I apply for a scholarship?

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Want to find out more?

Don't forget to download the course guide or get in touch with us below.

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