Diploma Of Counselling

Become a counsellor and help people to overcome their challenges

Course code

CHC51015

Delivery location

Berwick, Frankston

International

Not available for International students

Length

Full Time, 12 months.

Start dates

12 February (orientation week beginning 5 February), 22 July (orientation week beginning 15 February)

• Read more about this course

  Applicants must satisfy course entry requirements as set out below. Applicants will need to complete an assessment of their literacy and numeracy skills to identify any support needs and undertake a PTR to confirm their appropriateness for the course.
  
  • Learners are required to be a minimum of 18 years of age.
  • It is recommended (but not essential) the applicant has a qualification from the CHC training package or a minimum of 2 years’ experience working the community service sector given the delivery of this course is intensive.
  • Attend orientation with the department prior to commencing the course.
  • The Student Enquiry and Enrolment Services team may refer the applicant to the Community and Social Services Department to assess the applicant's suitability to meet the requirements of the course if required.
  
  Students should be aware that the expectations of this course are only at a Diploma level, with no Certificate IV or lower level in Counselling. It would be ideal if students had previously completed at least a Certificate IV in areas such as Alcohol and Other Drugs, Mental Health or Youth Work or similar.
  Experience: Students need to have highly developed interpersonal communication skills ideally developed through previous study and workplace experience in working with people with complexity.
  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.
  Have basic observation skills: Be able to notice changes in behaviour in young people and children, including nonverbal cues (facial expression, body language.)
  Have the ability and or willing to develop skills to support in working through challenging situations: Young people with complex needs and trauma, who may display mild to complex Mental Health concerns, and who may display violent or aggressive behaviour.
  
  Good cognitive/ intellectual skills or willing to develop:
  
  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.
  
  Good behavioural 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 learning

• Study units

  Unit code	Unit Description
  CHCGRP005	Plan and provide group counselling
  CHCCSL002	Apply specialist interpersonal and counselling interview skills
  CHCCSL007	Support counselling clients in decision-making processes
  CHCDIV001	Work with diverse people.
  CHCCCS019	Recognise and respond to crisis situations
  CHCCSM005	Develop, facilitate and review all aspects of case management
  CHCLEG001	Work legally and ethically
  CHCPRP003	Reflect on and improve own professional practice
  CHCCSL005	Apply learning theories in counselling
  CHCCSL001	Establish and confirm the counselling relationship
  CHCCSL004	Research and apply personality and development theories
  CHCDIV002	Promote Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultural safety
  CHCCSL006	Select and use counselling therapies
  CHCGRP003	Plan, facilitate and review psycho-educational groups
  CHCMHS013	Implement trauma informed care
  CHCMHS008	Promote and facilitate self advocacy
  CHCCSL003	Facilitate the counselling relationship and process

• 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	case manager psychiatric technician social services specialist career counsellor	case manager psychiatric technician rehabilitation specialist social services specialist

• 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.

  Find out about advanced standing for graduate certificate, graduate diploma and bachelor degree courses.

• Admission requirements

  Applicants must be 18 years or over, Applicants must successfully complete BKSB assessment with an outcome of exit level 3 (working at 4) for literacy and exit level 2 (working at 3) for numeracy, It is recommended the applicant has a qualification from the CHC training package or a minimum of 2 years’ experience working the community service sector given the delivery of this course is intensive, Please note: There is no placement requirement for this course.

• Fees

  Tuition fees* (GST exempt)

  Fees

  Fee Type	Fee Amount	Select
  Concession	Not available	ConcessionAmount
  Government subsidised	$5,192	GovernmentSubsidisedAmount
  Full fee paying	$12,862	FullfeeAmount
  Mandatory other fees** (GST inclusive)
  Materials	$45	MaterialFeeAmount
  And one of: Student services – concession (annual) OR	Not available	studentservicefeewithConcession
  Student services - no concession (annual)	$270	studentservicefeewithnoConcession

  Total fees  

  *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 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 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.