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Career Profile

Mental health counsellor

Mental health counsellors use talking therapies to help people understand and work through emotional, relationship and mental health difficulties.
Health and Community
Average weekly salary
$1477
Future demand
Very strong
Most common education level
Bachelor degree

What does a mental health counsellor do?

A mental health counsellor helps people work through emotional, relationship, social and mental health difficulties using talking therapies. They provide a safe, structured space for clients to explore their concerns, and use approaches such as cognitive behaviour therapy to support change. Counsellors focus on support and therapy rather than clinical diagnosis.

Mental health counsellors work across community and mental health services, non-profit organisations, private practices, schools, hospitals and employee assistance programs. Many work part time, and some run their own private practice. The role can involve one-to-one, couple, family or group sessions.

Is a career in mental health counselling right for me?

A career in mental health counselling may suit you if you are a good listener, care about people, and can stay calm and supportive in difficult conversations. You need strong communication skills, emotional resilience, and a commitment to ethical, respectful practice.

Other desirable skills and attributes of a mental health counsellor include:

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 a mental health counsellor

If you are exploring how to become a mental health counsellor, it helps to understand that counselling in Australia is largely self-regulated. Most counsellors complete a recognised counselling qualification, and many roles favour or expect postgraduate study. 

A common path to becoming a mental health counsellor include:

  1. Complete a recognised qualification in counselling, such as an undergraduate counselling pathway followed by postgraduate study.
  2. Develop counselling skills and therapeutic approaches through supervised practice and placements.
  3. Meet the membership standards of a professional body such as ACA or PACFA.
  4. Register on the Australian Register of Counsellors and Psychotherapists through your professional body.
  5. Keep learning through supervision and continuing professional development.

Accreditation and qualifications

Counselling is self-regulated in Australia, so there is no AHPRA registration for counsellors. Professional recognition is through ACA or PACFA membership. UniSQ's Master of Counselling (Qualifying) is accredited by the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA) and the Australian Counselling Association (ACA), which enables registration as a counsellor with the Australian Register of Counsellors and Psychotherapists (ARCAP). 

How long does it take to become a mental health counsellor?

There is no single fixed timeframe. An undergraduate counselling pathway generally takes three years of full-time study. Many counsellors then complete postgraduate study, as most roles and professional bodies favour it.

UniSQ's Master of Counselling takes two years of full-time study. The main course load is online, with mandatory residential schools and clinical placements. The Qualifying pathway leads to eligibility for registration through ACA or PACFA, while gaining supervised experience builds your confidence and client work over time.

Start your journey with UniSQ

Build the skills for a counselling career with UniSQ, from an undergraduate counselling pathway through to a Master of Counselling that leads to professional registration.

Counselling degrees
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Responsibilities and work settings

Day-to-day responsibilities

Conducting counselling sessions with individuals, couples, families or groups.

Assessing client needs and presenting concerns.

Applying therapeutic approaches such as cognitive behaviour therapy.

Developing support plans and setting goals with clients.

Referring clients to other services and keeping ethical case notes.

Where you might work

Aged care providers

Community health organisations

Disability services providers

Government agencies, departments and councils

Non-profit, charity and community organisations

Primary and secondary schools

Private healthcare providers, clinics and practices

Public hospitals and health services

Mental health counsellor FAQs

Mental health counsellor is not published as a standalone occupation. Your Career lists an average salary of $1,477.00 per week for Other Counsellors and Life Coaches, the closest published grouping. Pay varies with experience and setting, and many counselling roles are part time, which affects average earnings.

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

Counsellors are not registered through AHPRA, unlike psychologists. Instead, they gain professional recognition through membership with the Australian Counselling Association or the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia, and can register on the Australian Register of Counsellors and Psychotherapists. Requirements depend on the body and the level of membership.

Counselling suits people who want meaningful work supporting others through difficult times. Your Career rates future demand for the closest published counselling occupation as very strong, and the field offers variety across community, health, education and private settings. UniSQ's counselling pathways, including the PACFA and ACA accredited Master of Counselling (Qualifying), prepare you for professional practice.

Counsellors and psychologists both support mental health, but psychologists are registered through AHPRA and can carry out psychological assessment and diagnosis within a regulated scope. Counsellors focus on talking therapies and support, and are recognised through professional bodies such as ACA and PACFA rather than AHPRA.

Related careers

Psychologist
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).