The latest data shows two in five Australians* have experienced a mental disorder in their lifetime. With patients frequently facing long waiting periods to see a mental health professional, the demand for counsellors is at an all-time high.
As a counsellor, you’ll play a vital role in guiding individuals through challenging times, offering support, and helping clients develop strategies to improve their mental health and well-being. Counselling also offers a variety of rewarding career pathways in a range of settings, from schools and hospitals to private practice, community centres, or even corporate environments.
Whichever counselling avenue you’re looking to explore, ACAP can help you get there. In this guide, we’ll cover how to become a counsellor, including the educational requirements, key skills, salary expectations, and the rewarding career opportunities that await.
What is COUNSELLING?
The Australian Counselling Association (ACA) defines counselling as a confidential collaboration between counsellors and their clients. Counselling is often used to promote mental health, help clients navigate challenging situations, and develop strategies for long-term well-being.
What is a COUNSELLOR?
In Australia, a counsellor is a specially trained professional registered with the ACA. They’re equipped with the skills and knowledge to support clients through various challenges, from general counselling to address stress management and conflict resolution, to specialised support in areas such as grief and bereavement, crisis support, and substance abuse. Counsellors work in various settings, including schools, workplaces, rehabilitation centres, hospitals, and private practice.
How to become a COUNSELLOR in Australia
Now that we’ve covered what counselling is and what a counsellor does, let’s explore how to become a counsellor in Australia.
Your journey to become a counsellor might start with a Diploma of Counselling Skills; a one-year full-time course (or up to three years part time) that opens doors to job opportunities as a community worker, family support worker or disability support worker. Completion of the course can also be a pathway to further learning, including credit towards a Bachelor of Counselling.
While you may choose to start your learning journey with a Diploma of Counselling, many job opportunities favour a three-year bachelor’s degree at a minimum. Depending on the area of counselling in which you’re interested, degrees in social work or psychology may also be beneficial. If you’re unsure which pathway will best suit your needs, explore our blog post on the difference between psychology, counselling and social work.
If you’re interested in both psychology and counselling, and you just can’t decide between them, why not double up? Our Bachelor of Psychological Science and Counselling prepares you for a successful career in either field and can open doors to a wider range of career opportunities.
For those looking to work as a registered counsellor, you’ll need to complete one of the available accredited counselling courses in Australia. Our Bachelor of Counselling is professionally accredited by both the ACA and the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA), ensuring you’re able to seek professional registration upon completion of your degree. These bodies require counsellors to meet specific educational and ethical standards, and often provide opportunities for ongoing professional development.
Our three-year bachelor’s degree dives deeper into human behaviour, providing insight into mental health and the techniques needed to effectively support others. Throughout your studies, you’ll explore counselling areas such as children and youth, grief and loss, trauma-informed counselling, and neuroscience.
One of the most exciting parts about studying a bachelor’s degree to become a counsellor is the work integrated learning component, where you’ll complete 200 hours of real-world experience in a counselling setting. This is your chance to get a feel for what it’s like to be a counsellor, discover what counselling area you might like best, and make valuable industry connections.
After your bachelor’s degree, you might choose to pursue further studies, such as a Graduate Diploma of Counselling or a Master of Counselling and Psychotherapy. These programs offer a more applied focus in areas such as ethical practice, trauma counselling, and grief counselling, giving you the skills to meet specific client needs and handle more complex cases.
And there you have it – that’s how to become a counsellor! Now that we’ve explored the educational requirements needed to become a counsellor, keep reading to learn about the different areas counsellors can work in, what skills are required, counselling salaries, and more.
Frequently asked questions about HOW TO BECOME A COUNSELLOR
WHAT SKILLS ARE NEEDED FOR COUNSELLING?
When searching the internet for answers on “how to become a counsellor?”, you may have come across the concept of “soft skills”. While learning counselling theory is essential, many of the skills you’ll need to be an effective counsellor are soft skills. These often come naturally based on who you are as a person, however, ACAP courses nurture these skills in each student to ensure you graduate as a well-rounded counselling professional. These soft skills include:
- Empathy: The ability to truly empathise and feel your client’s pain is at the heart of effective counselling.
- Active Listening: This means being fully present, picking up on both verbal and non-verbal cues, and responding thoughtfully.
- Communication Skills: Clear, compassionate communication helps build trust and rapport with clients.
- Genuine Care: A true passion for helping others is essential. If your friends and family often commend you for being caring and compassionate, it’s a strong sign that you’re on the right path!
- Patience and Resilience: The counselling process can be slow and requires patience. Counsellors must be resilient, as they often deal with emotionally intense situations and need to maintain their own mental well-being. Don’t get too caught up on this one – your resilience and patience will grow as you gain more experience in your career.
- Cultural Sensitivity: Understanding and respecting cultural differences is crucial in providing effective counselling. Counsellors must be aware of their clients’ cultural backgrounds and how these may influence their experiences and perspectives.
What aRE THE DIFFERENT AREAS OF COUNSELLING?
The path to becoming a counsellor is full of opportunities. You might start with entry-level roles, like a youth worker or mental health support worker, which offer valuable experience and a strong foundation. As you gain experience and qualifications, you can move into specialised roles such as clinical counsellor, family therapist, or addiction counsellor. Different areas of counselling include:
- Education: Support students’ academic, emotional, and social development as a school counsellor.
- Healthcare: Help patients cope with chronic illness, trauma, or mental health issues in healthcare settings.
- Corporate: Focus on employee well-being, tackling issues like stress and work-life balance.
- Community Services: Work with vulnerable populations on issues like homelessness, substance abuse, and domestic violence.
- Private Practice: You might choose to open your own therapy clinic, where you can tailor your services to the type of counselling you wish to offer.
HOW MUCH DO COUNSELLORS EARN?
When you’re researching a potential career path and wondering how to become a counsellor, it’s natural to wonder how much counsellors earn. According to the latest data from Talent, the average counsellor salary in Australia is $95,987 per year ($49 per hour). A counsellor’s salary is dependent on experience, qualifications, and the sector in which you choose to work. Entry-level positions start at $85,374 per year, while experienced counsellors can earn up to $117,000 per year.
IS THERE A HIGH DEMAND FOR COUNSELLORS?
If you’re wondering, “Is there a high demand for counsellors?”, you’re in luck! As awareness of mental health issues in Australia grows, the demand for counsellors continues to rise, offering a promising job outlook.
Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA) forecasts that the number of required counselling professionals is expected to increase from 24,400 to 27,800 by 2026, providing thousands of additional counselling positions across the country.
What is the difference between a COUNSELLOR AND A THERAPIST?
Generally speaking, the term “therapist” is often used interchangeably with “counsellor”, “psychotherapist” or “psychologist”. This usually refers to a professional who provides talk therapy (or psychotherapy) to clients in need.
It’s worth noting that in Australia, therapy is not considered a registered profession and, as such, is not regulated by a governing body. In contrast, counsellors, psychologists and psychotherapists are registered professionals who have completed years of specialised training to provide evidence-based support strategies to their clients.
READY TO BEGIN YOUR COUNSELLING JOURNEY?
Welcome to the start of an incredibly rewarding career! To get started on your journey to become a counsellor, explore ACAP’s range of professionally accredited counselling courses to see which qualification best suits your needs and career goals.
If you’re unsure which pathway is right for you, contact our Course Advisors for support in navigating your study options and deciding which course is ideal for teaching you how to become a counsellor.
Whichever course you choose, ACAP provides a range of flexible study options including on-campus and online study, with the option to study full time or part time, depending on your chosen course.
Apply now to start your lifechanging counselling journey with us today!
*https://www.abs.gov.au/media-centre/media-releases/two-five-australians-have-experienced-mental-disorder