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Career Profile

Addiction counsellor

Addiction counsellors support people affected by alcohol and other drugs, helping them understand their substance use and build strategies for change and recovery.
Health and Community
Average weekly salary
$1477
Future demand
Very strong
Most common education level
Bachelor degree

What does an addiction counsellor do?

An addiction counsellor supports people affected by alcohol and other drugs. They assess each person, help them understand what is driving their substance use, and work with them to build strategies for change, manage cravings and prevent relapse. Counselling can be one-to-one or in groups, and often includes harm-reduction advice and support for families. Like other counsellors, they work through talking therapies and support rather than prescribing medication. 

Addiction counsellors work in community health and drug and alcohol services, hospitals, rehabilitation and residential treatment facilities, and correctional and justice settings. Many are employed by non-profit and government-funded organisations, and some work in private practice or by telehealth. 

Is a career as an addiction counsellor right for me?

A career as an addiction counsellor may suit you if you are a good listener, non-judgemental, and want to support people through difficult times. You need strong communication skills, emotional resilience, and a respectful, ethical approach to people and their recovery. 

Adaptability
An ability to manage change positively and perform effectively in changing environments.
Communication
Clear written and verbal communication skills, supported by strong interpersonal skills.
Empathy and working with people
The ability to build positive relationships and support others effectively.
Industry knowledge
A sound awareness and understanding of industry and trends.
Professionalism
The ability to take initiative, demonstrate personal drive, and maintain a professional attitude.

Problem-solving and decision-making
The ability to identify issues, evaluate options, and make informed decisions.

How to become an addiction counsellor

Counselling in Australia is largely self-regulated, which shapes the path into this career. Counsellors are not registered through AHPRA, unlike psychologists. Professional recognition comes through membership with the Australian Counselling Association (ACA) or the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA), which feed the Australian Register of Counsellors and Psychotherapists (ARCAP). Most addiction counsellors complete a recognised counselling qualification, and many roles favour postgraduate study. 

Every journey is individual, and there are several paths to reaching your career goals. Common steps to becoming an addiction counsellor include: 

  1. Complete an undergraduate counselling pathway, such as a Bachelor of Counselling or UniSQ's Bachelor of Arts with a Counselling Practice major.
  2. Complete a recognised postgraduate counselling qualification, such as the Master of Counselling (Qualifying).
  3. Build skills in addiction, behaviour change and therapeutic approaches through specialised study and supervised practice.
  4. Meet the membership standards of a professional body, such as ACA or PACFA.
  5. Register on ARCAP through your professional body and keep up supervision and professional development.

Professional recognition

Counsellors in Australia do not need mandatory government registration to practise; however, professional registration with bodies such as the Australian Counselling Association (ACA) or Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA) is highly regarded and often required by employers as evidence of professional competence and ethical practice.

How long does it take to become an addiction counsellor?

There is no single fixed timeframe. An undergraduate counselling pathway, such as a Bachelor of Arts with a Counselling Practice major, takes three years of full-time study. Many counsellors then complete postgraduate study, as most roles and professional bodies favour it - this may take an additional two years of study. 

Start your journey with UniSQ

Build the skills for a counselling career with UniSQ, from an undergraduate counselling pathway through to postgraduate counselling degree that leads to professional registration and offers an addiction elective. 

Graduate Diploma of Counselling
Go to degree
Graduate Certificate of Counselling
Go to degree
Master of Counselling
Go to degree
Need help planning your career journey?
Book a career conversation

Responsibilities and work settings

Day-to-day responsibilities

Assessing clients and identifying the drivers of substance use.

Developing individual treatment and relapse-prevention plans.

Delivering one-to-one and group counselling sessions.

Coordinating referrals and case management with other services.

Providing community education and harm-reduction advice.

Where you might work

Community health organisations

Courts, tribunals and justice agencies

Disability services providers

Emergency services organisations

Government agencies, departments and councils

Non-profit, charity and community organisations

Private healthcare providers, clinics and practices

Public hospitals and health services

Addiction counsellor FAQs

Pay for addiction counsellors varies with experience, setting and whether the role is full time or part time. For further information, please view the salary information on this page.

Most addiction counsellors complete a recognised counselling qualification, and many roles favour postgraduate study such as a Master of Counselling. Counselling is self-regulated, so professional recognition comes through ACA or PACFA membership rather than government registration.

Counsellors are not registered through AHPRA, unlike psychologists. They gain professional recognition through membership with the Australian Counselling Association or the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia, and can register on ARCAP. Some drug and alcohol roles have extra employer requirements.

Addiction counselling is meaningful work for people who want to support others through recovery, and demand for alcohol and other drugs support sits across health, community and justice settings. UniSQ's PACFA and ACA accredited Master of Counselling prepares you for professional practice.

Day to day, an addiction counsellor might assess clients, run one-to-one or group counselling sessions, develop treatment and relapse-prevention plans, coordinate referrals, and provide harm-reduction advice. The work focuses on supporting people to understand and change their substance use.

Related careers

Drug and alcohol counsellor
Counsellor
Mental health counsellor
Rehabilitation counsellor
Social worker

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Disclaimer: UniSQ’s Career Finder is a guide only. While reasonable care is taken to ensure accuracy, career information may change over time. Career statistics are sourced from Your Career and Jobs and Skills Australia. © Commonwealth of Australia. Licensed under CC BY 4.0. Salary figures listed on this page are in Australian Dollars (AUD).