Online Counselling Courses

Counselling in Australia

Counselling in Australia sits within a growing mental health and community services workforce, with more people reaching out for support each year, while national data shows steady demand for practitioners who can hold safe, structured, supportive conversations across community, health and private practice settings.

Key industry data includes:

• Around 40,000 counsellors are employed across Australia, with annual employment growth of about 3,400, pointing to ongoing demand for skilled practitioners in community organisations, health services, schools and private practice (Jobs and Skills Australia, 2025).
• ‍In 2020 to 2022, 3.4 million Australians aged 16 to 85 (17.4%) saw a health professional about their mental health, and that same need for supportive conversation is felt right across community services (ABS, 2020–2022).‍
• More than 23,000 counsellors, psychotherapists and students are registered with the Australian Counselling Association, reflecting an established professional community and clear registration pathways (ACA).

These employment patterns show that counselling skills are valued across community organisations, helplines, family services, health teams, schools and private practice. That demand is driven by more people asking for help, expanded community programs, and a broader national focus on wellbeing, recovery and early support.

Note: Indicative data only. The figures above are drawn from published government and professional body sources at the date shown, are indicative only, and are subject to change. They describe the sector as a whole. They are not a guarantee of employment, salary or a particular career outcome for any learner.

‍

⭐ Empower Communities – Learn to develop programs that build resilience and inclusion for the community

⭐ Practical, Applied Skills – Build counselling micro-skills through role plays and realistic scenarios, so theory becomes something you can actually use.

⭐Expert Mentorship – Learn from trainers with counselling and community services experience; people who have walked the path you are about to take.

⭐ Flexible Learning – Study online, with live evening Zoom classes, 1:1 trainer support, and flexible payment plans starting from $28 per week.

Our counselling programs are built from nationally recognised units of competency, giving you the practical skills and ethical frameworks needed to hold safe, person centred and culturally respectful conversations across counselling and community services settings.

Throughout these programs, you will strengthen capability in:

• Establishing the Counselling Relationship - Set up, confirm and document a counselling relationship, agree counselling plans, and make sure people understand what the conversation is for.
• Counselling Micro-Skills and Interview Technique - Practise attending, active listening, reflecting, questioning and summarising, then build into challenging, reframing and focussing with accurate case notes.
• Counselling Theories and Therapies - Apply personality, development and learning theories, select recognised counselling therapies, and support clients through decision making (Diploma only).
• Crisis Recognition and Family Violence Response - Recognise and respond to crisis situations and to domestic and family violence, always within your role and your organisation’s protocols.
• Cultural Safety and Inclusive Practice - Work with diverse people and promote Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultural safety in line with recognised frameworks.
• Legal, Ethical and Reflective Practice - Work legally and ethically, hold professional boundaries, confidentiality and duty of care, and reflect on and improve your own practice.

These applied skill areas are drawn directly from the units of competency in each program, preparing you to work with confidence, care, accountability and professional integrity across real world counselling and community services roles.

Note: Skills coverage varies by course. The Counselling Short Course covers eight units and leads to a Statement of Attainment, not a full qualification. Counselling theories and therapies, case management, loss and grief support, advocacy and mental health practice are covered only in the CHC51015 Diploma of Counselling. Full unit lists for each program are on the individual course pages and on the National Register at training.gov.au.