Diploma Of Counselling
CHC51015Gain a qualification to effectively support individuals from all walks of life
According to Job and Skills Australia, annual employment growth in counselling is strong. If you seek meaningful work and flexibility in your career, counselling offers the chance to make a lasting impact on various clients in a range of settings.
Counsellors help people with relationship, social, and emotional challenges. They work with people to identify complex issues and use therapies and other talking methods to support them.
The Diploma of Counselling provides you with real-world skills to excel in the role. With hybrid study modes, the course combines theory with skills-based practical experience.
You'll learn to use proven counselling techniques, along with communication, micro-counselling, and interviewing skills. At this level, you'll be able to work within established organisations, with guidance and support, rather than practising independently.
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Timetable
Berwick
Monday, Friday 9am - 4pm
Frankston
Tuesday, Wednesday 9am - 4pm
• Days per week: 2
• Hours per day: 6
• Expected hours of self-directed learning per week: 10
Learning is conducted in-person face to face and includes two self paced units.
Please note, delivery days for this course may be subject to change. -
Study units
Unit code Unit Description CHCCSL002 Apply specialist interpersonal and counselling interview skills CHCCSL007 Support counselling clients in decision-making processes CHCDIV001 Work with diverse people. CHCGRP005 Plan and provide group counselling CHCCSM005 Develop, facilitate and review all aspects of case management CHCCCS019 Recognise and respond to crisis situations CHCLEG001 Work legally and ethically CHCCSL003 Facilitate the counselling relationship and process CHCCSL004 Research and apply personality and development theories CHCCSL005 Apply learning theories in counselling CHCCSL006 Select and use counselling therapies CHCMHS008 Promote and facilitate self advocacy CHCGRP003 Plan, facilitate and review psycho-educational groups CHCCSL001 Establish and confirm the counselling relationship CHCDIV002 Promote Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultural safety CHCPRP003 Reflect on and improve own professional practice CHCMHS013 Implement trauma informed care -
Assessment methods
• Observation
• Questioning
• Portfolio
• Report or essay
• Project -
Admission requirements
• Minimum age requirement: 18
Inherent requirementsOur inherent requirements are a guide to help you decide if a course is right for you.
If you are a student with a disability, long-term illness, mental health condition or are a primary carer of an individual with a disability, you can apply for support through our Equitable Learning and Disability Support team.
Good cognitive/ intellectual skills or willing to develop:
Language, literacy and numeracy
Be able to gather an understanding of the course requirements and have the ability to organise information. Have the ability to use Judgement and basic problem solving skills Be able to have an open mind, understand others perspectives and opinions and respect all other learners.
Psychological: Students will need to have resilience and coping strategies in place to manage the potential challenges of the course. Triggers could occur from the intake information and a number of role plays throughout the course, so it is suggested that those with a lived experience of mental health or AOD issues, family violence and other access to community services should be at least 12 months in their recovery or 12 months from being in crisis.
Experience:
Students should be aware that the expectations of this course are at a Diploma level. It is recommended students have previously completed at least a Certificate IV in other Community Services fields areas such as Alcohol and Other Drugs, Mental Health, Youth Work or similar. This course is an intensive delivery and as such requires a high level of self-management and planning skills.
Have basic observation skills:
Be able to notice changes in behaviour in young people and children, including nonverbal cues (facial expression, body language.)
Industry:
Good behavioral skills and social skills:
• Be able to demonstrate professional behaviour
• Be in control of your emotions
• Respect personal and professional boundaries
• Take responsibility for own learningYou are required to complete a language, literacy and numeracy skills test before course commencement. This will determine course suitability and if you may need additional support.
We use an approved online skills review tool to determine your language, literacy and numeracy skills within the Australian Core Skills Framework (ACSF).
Below are the levels required for this course:Language and literacy: 3
Numeracy: 2 -
Practical placement
There are no practical placement requirements for this course.
Dress code for students undertaking this course is comfortable casual however as a community services worker students are expected to take into consideration the below dress code standards when on campus:
• Avoid revealing clothing
• Refraining from clothing that may display offensive language or images -
Simulated work environment
During the course all students will need to participate in simulate role plays reflecting real work environments. Students will be required to take on the role of an Mental Health worker and may be required to play a clients depending on the scenario. Role play scenarios may involved:
• Challenging situation including threats, violence and behaviours of concern
• Working through mental health concerns
• Providing information, support and referral
• Crisis intervention and conflict resolution
• Family violence situations
• Abuse and neglect
• Substance use -
Course and career pathways
Nationally recognised training Diploma Of Counselling Bachelor Of Community Mental Health, Alcohol And Other Drugs Associate Degree Of Psychology Bachelor Of Psychology Possible job outcome - counsellor
- welfare coordinator
- psychosocial rehabilitation worker
- dual diagnosis practitioner
- mental health worker
- psychiatric technician
- social services specialist
- career counsellor
- case manager
- psychiatric technician
- case manager
- rehabilitation specialist
- social services specialist
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Fees
Fees Tuition fees* (GST exempt)
Fee Type Fee Amount Select Concession Not available Government subsidised $5,428 Full fee paying $13,098 Mandatory other fees** (GST inclusive)
Materials $60 And one of:
Student services – concession (annual) ORNot available Student services - no concession (annual) $270 *Student tuition fees are correct at time of publishing and are subject to change given individual circumstances at enrolment. Please note: Fees will be subject to change if the course runs over two or more calendar years. Check here to see if you are eligible for government-subsidised training. Training to eligible students is delivered with Victorian and Commonwealth funding. Students with a disability are encouraged to apply for this course using Skills First funding.
**You are required to pay additional fees for materials and support services, not covered by your tuition fees. This may include things like learning resources, personal protective equipment/clothing, and vary depending on the course you study. Material fees are also subject to change given individual circumstances. Please note: You will also be required to pay the Student Services fee for each year of enrolment. -
Help with fees
At Chisholm, you can get a VET Student Loan to help you pay for all or part of the tuition fees for this course. VET student loans will not be approved for students who do not meet eligibility requirements. VET student loan gives rise to a HELP debt that continues to be a debt due to the Commonwealth until it is repaid. Find out more about how a VET Student Loan can help you study now and pay later.
If you are eligible for a student loan, you can access up to $18,097 from 1 January, 2024 ($18,838 from 1 January, 2025) to help cover the tuition fees for this course.
Scholarships
Annual scholarships may be available to eligible students suffering financial hardship through the Caroline Chisholm Education Foundation. Find out how to apply for a scholarship.
Government-subsidised training
Check to see if you are eligible for government-subsidised training. Training to eligible students is delivered with Victorian and Commonwealth funding. Students with a disability are encouraged to apply for this course using Skills First funding.
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Skills recognition
Your current skills, knowledge and experience can help you get a qualification.
Find out about skills recognition and RPL for certificate to advanced diploma courses.
Please note: Students may be required to undertake an assessment of their literacy and numeracy as part of their application process.
Chisholm is a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) and provides Nationally Recognised Training (NRT). This means you can be assured that our training will provide you with a qualification that is recognised and respected across Australia.
Chisholm courses are subject to minimum and maximum group numbers. Courses may be cancelled or postponed if minimum numbers are not achieved by the start date of the course. Courses may close prior to the start date if the maximum numbers are reached. In that situation, eligible applicants will be offered a place in the next available intake.