CHC51015

Diploma of

Counselling

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About the course
Course requirements
Cost & subsidies

Study mode online

Enrol anytime

Nationally recognised

Average 18-24 months

Upfront 15% off $6,760 (RRP $7,950)

17 units of competency

Flexible payments available

Government funding available

Summary

Learn how to foster a therapeutic relationship with people in vulnerable situations through the practical and theoretical knowledge this comprehensive qualification offers. This course, designed for the Australian community services sector will help you develop interpersonal skills in empathy, rapport building, and mediation during conflict, enabling you to work in either an agency or private practice as you help support those in need.

What you'll learn

Individuals who undertake this qualification will learn how to:

Provide support regarding the mental, emotional, and lifestyle problems of a diverse range of clients
Recognise and respond to crisis situations
Experience working with other medical practitioners – all within an ethical and legal framework.

Why choose Upskilled?

Dedicated student support

Achieve your goals with the help of our friendly student support team and dedicated trainers.

Flexible payments options

Choose from one of our multiple payment plans designed to suit your needs.

24/7 access to online courses

Our online courses mean you can study anytime, anywhere. Adjust your study schedule to a time that suits you best.

Nationally Recognised Training

This is a Nationally Recognised Training and VET Accredited course that sits within the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF).

Unlimited access to LinkedIn Learning

Enjoy unlimited access to over 16,000 online resources on LinkedIn Learning, taught by real-world industry experts in creative, technology, and business skills.

Upskilled listens to you

We care about your education journey and what it means to your future. That's why we think we have the best educational consultants in the industry. We listen because we care about your goals.

*The reviews on this page are not specific to this course.

Detail

Duration

Average 18-24 Months

Units

17 units of competency

Course structure

The standard course is conducted over a 24 month period; within a self-paced online learning environment.

Upskilled will gather information about your previous experience and skills, weekly study commitment and online learning experience to provide you with an projected duration for your course based on your individual circumstance.

Upskilled uses MyUpskilled to manage the delivery and assessment of your course. This means you can learn at your own pace.

About Self-Paced Learning

Upskilled wants to ensure that you get the best online learning experience, which is why we offer flexible and self-paced courses to suit your needs.

While online learning provides you with the flexibility of managing both your personal and work schedule, it's important to have a consistent approach so you don't fall behind.

We want to help you succeed, which is why all the courses delivered through Upskilled come with a training plan to help you stay on track.

On average, Upskilled students take approximately 13 months to finish a course.

Simply put, the more hours you dedicate to your course, the closer you'll be to the finish line.

How many hours per week should I dedicate to my course?

We recommend spending at least 13-23 hours per week of study in order to stay on track with your studies. Based on this range, it may take you up to 24 months to complete a diploma-level qualification.

How quickly you finish a course is also dependent on your existing skills and experience.

This is simply a guide to help you better understand how many hours you ideally need to spend on your studies. We understand that everyone approaches learning differently, but rest assured, you'll still have a great level of control in your learning.

Inclusions

Upskilled courses include specialised learning materials, and access to:

Upskilled’s fully customised online learning platform, MyUpskilled
Student Support Team
Specialist trainers
Video content access via:
- LinkedIn Learning
- Clickview

Show Off Your Achievements with Upskilled Digital Credentials!

Students who successfully complete their qualification receive a digital badge from Upskilled to display on LinkedIn and other social media platforms, your resume and more. Our sharable badges are portable, verifiable credentials that validate your knowledge, skills and experience in the area of your studies.

Since you worked hard to earn it - why not show everyone your accomplishments?

Recognition of Prior Learning / Credit Transfer / Credit Transfer

Work experience or formal qualifications you have may count towards your course. If you have previously undertaken study at a recognised institution or have some relevant work experience, you might gain credit towards specific units in a course; shortening the time you have to study. You can send your application for Credit Transfer or RPL during the enrolment process.

Practical Assessment

Upskilled provides a very practical approach to this qualification. As part of your assessment, you will be a trainee counsellor within a simulated workplace and required to complete a minimum of 12 supervised counselling sessions with at least 6 different clients with varying issues.

This approach will provide much-needed hands-on practice in counselling clients and will allow you to apply learning and counselling theories in practice. More info here.

Find out how our students actually gain employment after studying.

Assessment

Upskilled takes evidence gathered from a variety of sources to deem a student as competent. Assessment processes might include some or all of the following:

Recognition of Prior Learning and/or credit transfer
summative and formative assignments
written reports and/or portfolio assessments
scenarios and/or case studies
projects
written/oral questions
regular training and assessment contact will be maintained by Upskilled in conjunction with the participant and their employer (where applicable). Critical dates during the program will be identified for participants to ensure compliance to assessment due dates, and attendance at monthly webinars as required.

Role-Playing and Interactive Learning Activities

This course comes with Interactive Learning Activities. Upskilled understands the importance of practical experience, so to complement the theory components of your course, our specialist trainers may run ad-hoc Interactive Learning Activities.

You'll have the opportunity to collaborate with other students - sharing questions, thoughts and ideas, as well as participating together in interactive learning activities.

While the Interactive Learning Activities are not mandatory, your participation is encouraged. You can receive some additional benefits and support, which may include:

Having a study buddy where you can bounce off ideas and help each other with assessments.
Online Classrooms where our specialist trainers can go over learning content that's part of your course.
Activities that relate to your assessments, which can help boost your knowledge and skills.

Additionally, role-playing is included in some of the learning areas of this course. It will also make up some of the practical elements of your assessments, including the assessments in your supervised counselling sessions.

The benefits of role-playing

Upskilled believes that you can benefit from undertaking role-playing activities throughout your studies. Not only are they fun and interactive, it gives you the opportunity to collaborate with other participants such as other students, your family, friends and or colleagues.

Below are some benefits you can experience when role-playing:

Improved decision-making and communication skills: Working in health and community services may involve you working in a variety of work settings. Professionals in this field are expected to make decisions and communicate effectively with clients, colleagues and stakeholders. Our role-playing assessments can help further improve your decision-making and communication skills in a community service workplace.
Preparation for supervised counselling sessions: Role-playing is effective in helping you prepare for your supervised counselling sessions. The skills and knowledge developed from your role-playing assessments are based on scenarios you may face when working in the community services industry.
Develop knowledge and skills to be "work-ready": Due to the interactive nature of role-playing, it can be an opportunity to practice community service industry roles with volunteers and other students in order to enhance your knowledge and skills. Job roles within this field are "hands-on", so role-playing can prepare you for the physical nature of the work - particularly in the disability and aged care sectors.

Subjects

This qualification consists of the following units of competency. All units of competency must be successfully completed to attain the qualification. The program is broken into 4 logical clusters of training:

Professional Practice, Diversity and Ethics
Communication and Interpersonal Skills
Counselling Case Management
Crisis Management

CHCCCS019

Recognise and respond to crisis situations

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to recognise situations where people may be in imminent crisis, and then to work collaboratively to minimise any safety concerns and make plans to access required support services. This unit applies to any community services worker involved in crisis intervention. Management of the crisis may involve face-to-face, telephone or remote contact with persons involved. The skills in this unit must be applied in accordance with Commonwealth and State/Territory legislation, Australian/New Zealand standards and industry codes of practice.

CHCPRP003

Reflect on and improve own professional practice

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to evaluate and enhance own practice through a process of reflection and ongoing professional development. This unit applies to workers in all industry sectors who take pro-active responsibility for their own professional development. The skills in this unit must be applied in accordance with Commonwealth and State/Territory legislation, Australian/New Zealand standards and industry codes of practice.

CHCLEG001

Work legally and ethically

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to identify and work within the legal and ethical frameworks that apply to an individual job role. This unit applies to community services and health workers who play a proactive role in identifying and meeting their legal and ethical responsibilities. The skills in this unit must be applied in accordance with Commonwealth and State/Territory legislation, Australian/New Zealand standards and industry codes of practice.

CHCDIV002

Promote Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultural safety

The unit describes the skills and knowledge required to identify Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultural safety issues in the workplace, model cultural safety in own work practice, and develop strategies to enhance cultural safety. This unit applies to people working in a broad range of roles including those involved in direct client service, program planning, development and evaluation contexts. The skills in this unit must be applied in accordance with Commonwealth and State/Territory legislation, Australian/New Zealand standards and industry codes of practice.

CHCDIV001

Work with diverse people

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to work respectfully with people from diverse social and cultural groups and situations, including Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people. This unit applies to all workers. The skills in this unit must be applied in accordance with Commonwealth and State/Territory legislation, Australian/New Zealand standards and industry codes of practice.

CHCCSL001

Establish and confirm the counselling relationship

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to use a structured approach to counselling to determine, establish and confirm the nature of the counsellor client relationship according to the agency’s counselling model. This unit applies to individuals whose job role involves working with clients on personal and psychological issues within established policies, procedures and guidelines. The skills in this unit must be applied in accordance with Commonwealth and State/Territory legislation, Australian/New Zealand Standards and industry codes of practice.

CHCCSL003

Facilitate the counselling relationship and process

This unit describes the skills and knowledge to support clients to identify and work though concerns, and to manage the overall counselling process to its conclusion. This unit applies to individuals whose job role involves working with clients on personal and psychological issues within established policies, procedures and guidelines. The skills in this unit must be applied in accordance with Commonwealth and State/Territory legislation, Australian/New Zealand Standards and industry codes of practice.

CHCCSL002

Apply specialist interpersonal and counselling interview skills

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to use advanced and specialised communication skills in the client-counsellor relationship. This unit applies to individuals whose job role involves working with clients on personal and psychological issues within established policies, procedures and guidelines. The skills in this unit must be applied in accordance with Commonwealth and State/Territory legislation, Australian/New Zealand Standards and industry codes of practice.

CHCCSM005

Develop, facilitate and review all aspects of case management

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to undertake case management meetings to plan, monitor and review service provision.

CHCCSL004

Research and apply personality and development theories

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to research key concepts and constructs of theories of personality and human development, and link those to counselling practice. This unit applies to individuals whose job role involves working with clients on personal and psychological issues within established policies, procedures and guidelines. The skills in this unit must be applied in accordance with Commonwealth and State/Territory legislation, Australian/New Zealand Standards and industry codes of practice.

CHCCSL005

Apply learning theories in counselling

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to apply theory underpinning behaviourism and social learning to formulate and monitor a program for behaviour change in a counselling context. This unit applies to individuals whose job role involves working with clients on personal and psychological issues within established policies, procedures and guidelines. The skills in this unit must be applied in accordance with Commonwealth and State/Territory legislation, Australian/New Zealand Standards and industry codes of practice.

CHCCSL006

Select and use counselling therapies

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to select and use different counselling therapies to meet client needs. This unit applies to individuals whose job role involves working with clients on personal and psychological issues, within established policies, procedures and guidelines. The skills in this unit must be applied in accordance with Commonwealth and State/Territory legislation, Australian/New Zealand Standards and industry codes of practice.

CHCCSL007

Support counselling clients in decision-making processes

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to assist clients to clarify their goals, explore options and develop a course of action. This unit applies to individuals whose job role involves working with clients on personal and psychological issues, within established policies, procedures and guidelines. The skills in this unit must be applied in accordance with Commonwealth and State/Territory legislation, Australian/New Zealand Standards and industry codes of practice.

CHCFAM003

Support people to improve relationships

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to engage with diverse people to determine relationship issues and support relationship building using a strengths-based approach. This unit applies to individuals working with individuals and families in community services work. It does not include formal relationship counselling. When combined with other units it may apply to group work. The skills in this unit must be applied in accordance with Commonwealth and State/Territory legislation, Australian/New Zealand Standards and industry codes of practice.

CHCCCS014

Provide brief interventions

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to assess intervention needs, and then to implement and monitor brief intervention strategies for people at various stages of the change process. This unit applies to workers in a range of community services contexts.

CHCCCS003

Increase the safety of individuals at risk of suicide

This unit describes the skills and knowledge to identify and manage immediate suicide risk and work with the individual to achieve safe outcomes. It includes the requirements for developing a clear safety plan for addressing any immediate danger to the person at risk or others, mobilising access to emergency medical help when needed and facilitating links with further support. This unit applies to people in formal helping roles in any community service context. Suicide safety may involve face-to-face, telephone or remote contact with the person involved. The skills in this unit must be applied in accordance with Commonwealth and State/Territory legislation, Australian/New Zealand standards and industry codes of practice.

CHCMHS007

Work effectively in trauma informed care

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to practice and contribute to the continuous improvement of trauma informed care within a service. This unit applies to individuals working in the community services and health sectors where services are informed by the knowledge and understanding of central trauma, particularly the impact of interpersonal violence.

Outcomes

This qualification could give you several career and/or further study outcomes. After completing this course, you could explore some of the following outcomes.

Career outcomes

Family Support Worker Salary
$51,300 - 69,500 annually Community Services Counsellor Salary
$65,300 - 75,400 annually Community Services

Education pathways

This course might include a pathway to university, which are subject to change. Please speak to one of our Education Consultants for more information.

Educators

Upskilled's trainers in the CHC faculty have well-rounded skill sets and industry experience to help ensure that you're well-trained and prepared for any career challenge you experience in the community services field.

Approaching training with empathy, compassion and openness, you'll find that our trainers in the CHC faculty will help you develop the job-ready skills needed to prepare you for a career where you can make a difference everyday.

Below are some of the examples of support you may receive in the CHC faculty:

Assessment walkthroughs (recorded)
Assessment and Academic support sessions
Additional resources and professional development opportunities
Peer support and practical practise sessions via Zoom
Online recorded Training facilitated by your Trainer/Assessor

Entry requirements

Start date

Enrol anytime

Upskilled always want to ensure that our students are enrolled in the right course for them.

These entry requirements are here as a guide and it's always best to talk to one of our Education Consultants, as they're trained to ensure that you're enrolled in a course that aligns with your career goals.

As a guide, entrants to this program may:

have completed year 12, or equivalent

a qualification at Certificate IV level or higher, or

4 years of relevant industry experience in a role that requires the use of written documentation and communication.

You'll also need to be at least 18 years at the time of admission.

If you're under 18, please speak with our Education Consultants to find out about your eligibility.

Physical requirements

The Counselling role demands prioritising situations and managing time. As a counsellor, you may experience stress and stress related symptoms due to interacting with clients in crisis. You will also be responsible for your own safety, as well as the safety of others.

Flexible payment options

Upskilled offers flexible payment options for students. Enquire now for more information on payment methods.

Pay upfront & save

$6,760

RRP $7,950

When you pay upfront,
you receive a 15% discount
on your course fees.

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Spread the cost

$72.60*

Weekly over 52 fortnights*

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Payment Plans
Fortnightly* or Monthly

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Flexible payment

*The reviews on this page are not specific to this course.

Government funding

At both a state and federal level, government commitment to upskilling the Australian workforce has resulted in a comprehensive framework of funding schemes and incentive opportunities. As a result, many Upskilled participants are provided incentives by the Government to undertake training and/or find that their courses are heavily subsidised.

Government funding options for:
Diploma of Counselling

Major schemes include:

What skills can I learn from a counselling course?

Counselling is a respectable profession in the community services industry that requires a well-developed skill set to help clients work through their issues - either associated with their mental health or difficulties experienced in their livelihoods.

There are plenty of valuable skills you can learn from the CHC51015 - Diploma of Counselling that can prepare you for a career as a practising counsellor. These include:

Being able to recognise and manage crisis situations
Working with different people across all backgrounds
Approaching each situation with empathy and integrity
Interpersonal skills that can help you approach each client's situation with great sensitivity

If you're looking to change careers or gain basic counselling skills that can prepare you to enter the workforce, we also have a Short Course in Counselling that can provide you with the training needed to understand the framework of counselling.

This can be beneficial if you're in a career where you regularly interact with people where managing crisis situations may be required. It may be suitable if you work as a teacher or HR professional looking for skills that can improve your approach when managing conflict between people.

Our short online courses are great for those wanting to dabble in an area they're thinking of exploring so if you're considering counselling as a career option, the Short Course in Counselling is an excellent learning opportunity.

What are the benefits of being a counsellor?

Becoming a counsellor is one of the most rewarding careers you can ever pursue. It's an impactful role where you can help those who are struggling with their mental health and need the guidance and support to get back on their feet.

This is also a great career option if you have a strong interest in psychology but want to pursue a career in counselling as a stepping stone to enter the mental health field.

There are many benefits that come with being a counsellor. These include:

Being a meaningful career.
There is flexibility where counselling can be done over the phone or through video conferencing; which provides options to work remotely or on a hybrid schedule.
There are strong employment prospects as a counsellor since you'll have the opportunity to work with a variety of clients - whether that be with couples or youth.

How to enrol in a counselling course?

To enrol in a counselling course, you'll need to first fill out an enquiry form for the CHC51015 - Diploma of Counselling. You'll need to supply some of your personal details, including your name, best contact number and email address.

You'll also be required to answer the question, 'What best describes you?', which can help us find out your intentions of studying a course with Upskilled.

By knowing which description fits you best, it allows our education consultants to ensure that they are ready to ask you the relevant questions during your consultation.

You may be someone looking to:

Change careers
Pursue a promotion
Return to work
Start a career
Expand your skill set

Once you submit your enquiry form, one of our education consultants will be in contact with you within 48 hours to discuss more about the online counselling course.

From here, you'll have the opportunity to ask questions about payment options, course eligibility and the possible career outcomes you can achieve from the CHC51015 - Diploma of Counselling.

If you're happy with the course, your education consultant will send you through an enrolment form via email to get you started on your student journey.

Counselling