Graduate Certificate of Counselling
PostgraduateTUA-COS-GCE2025
Course information for 2025 intake View information for 2024 course intake
Explore and grow your interpersonal communication skills
Build a knowledge base of the theoretical and ethical underpinnings of counselling. You’ll study delivery methods – including telehealth – and common mental health conditions. Get to know the importance of self-care and professional boundaries.
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Credit available
- Yes
- Duration
- 6 months full time or part time equivalent
- Total subjects
- 4
- Available loans
- Australian Higher Education Loan Program (HELP)
Graduate Certificate of Counselling
About this degree
As one of Australia’s fastest growing universities, we take a progressive approach to learning. Our courses are co-designed, developed and delivered with industry, giving you confidence that you’ll graduate job-ready.
During this course you will:
- Support clients with a range of issues within ethical and professional requirements.
- Understand and apply psychosocial wellbeing to practice.
- Deepen and broaden communication skills.
- Apply theories and practical skills to personal lived experience and to demonstrate self-care.
This graduate certificate develops your knowledge of the theoretical and ethical underpinnings of counselling, delivery methods such as telehealth, suicidality, common mental health conditions, and the importance of personal and professional self-care and effective boundaries.
The course enables you to start or advance a successful and rewarding career in the counselling and wellbeing industry.
Tailor your study to your lifestyle thanks to our innovative digital learning system, accessible from anywhere with 24/7 personalised support. Participate in live classes, connecting with specialist lecturers and fellow students. When studying online, you’ll complete the same set of self-paced study modules as on-campus students, and graduate with the same qualification. Best of all, you get access to view live content on demand.
Course duration: 2 trimesters full time, 4 or more trimesters part time.
Recommended study pattern
To graduate with the Graduate Certificate Counselling, students must satisfactorily complete the 4x core subjects for a total of 40 credit points.Award requirements
To graduate with the Graduate Certificate Counselling, students must satisfactorily complete the 4x core subjects for a total of 40 credit points.Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation. You will not pay any fees for using our services.
Indicative total fee $11,400
The amount shown here is indicative for an Australian citizen studying full-time, which is typically 8 subjects per year.
Fees may vary depending on:
- the subjects you choose
- credit from previous work experience
- your eligibility for government funding loans or subsidies such as HECS-HELP or a Commonwealth supported place.
To learn more, go to Fees or contact a student advisor.
At Torrens University Australia you can tailor your study to suit your lifestyle. Thanks to their innovative digital learning system you’ll gain the ultimate in flexibility, and still receive personalised guidance from academics and access to work placement, mentorship and internship opportunities. Online you can attend live classes or view recorded sessions, connect with lecturers and fellow students, and access content on-demand 24/7.
Learn more about Torrens.
Explore Torrens courses.
How to apply
Torrens University Australia manages enquiries and applications for this degree.
Complete your details and we'll make sure your enquiry is sent to Torrens University Australia who will contact you to discuss this degree.
Don't worry, we're still here to help you - you'll receive a personalised follow-up from an Open Universities Australia student advisor to make sure you have found the right degree for you.
Entry requirements
Torrens University Australia offers flexible entry options and study pathways, whether you’re finishing school, pursuing career progression or looking for a change. Entry requirements for this course includes:
- AQF Level 7 (Bachelor degree) or above in a relevant discipline, OR
- A Bachelor’s degree and complete the Torrens Work Life entry form demonstrating your interest in and suitability to gain entry to the course, OR
- Successfully complete the Graduate Certificate prior to enrolling in the Graduate Diploma, Master or Advanced Master.
Don’t meet the entry requirements? We have numerous pathway programs to get you started. Contact our Future Student Advisors to learn about alternative entry options.
Standard English language requirements apply.
- Torrens University offers pathway opportunities to further your learning. If you have already completed a qualification you may be able to credit this against a degree with Torrens University, even if it’s from another institution. This is called Recognition of Prior Learning. Under Torrens University's Recognition of Prior Learning policy, you may be eligible for a reduction in tuition costs if you have previous study and/or work experience. Our Future Student Advisors will happily walk you through the application process.
Career opportunities
This course has been designed to prepare you for employment in a role which leverages counselling and communication skills. Upon completion, you will have the opportunity to progress your career in the professional domain of counselling or continue your studies.
Potential career paths include:
- Counsellor
- Case Manager
- Rehabilitation Counsellor
- Addiction Counsellor.
Australian job snapshots
Data sourced from Australian Jobs 2023.
Role | Earnings | Employment change |
|---|---|---|
Careers Counsellors | $75K to $93K | N/A^ |
Counsellors | $75K to $93K | Up 12.6% |
Health and Welfare Services Managers | Over $120K | Up 56.6% |
Social Workers | $75K to $93K | Up 29.8% |
^ There is no data available