- 1 year part-time
- External
- Online
- Feb, May, Sep
- View dates
- AUD 14,160
- (Indicative annual fee)
Overview
- Wanting to enhance your counselling skills? UniSQ’s Graduate Certificate of Counselling will allow you to upskill, specialise and diversify your career with expert counselling skills.
- Advance your career within the health, psychology or human services profession – this certificate is an ideal professional development opportunity for psychologists and social workers.
- Choose to specialise in addiction counselling, mental health counselling, trauma focused practice, or child, youth and family therapy.
- Develop skills in counselling techniques, diagnosis, and online therapeutic interventions that can be applied to various careers and industries.
- Enjoy the convenience of flexible learning. You’ll study online and part-time, helping you to balance your education with other life commitments.
- Please note: for those seeking registration as a counsellor, please refer to the Graduate Diploma of Counselling and Master of Counselling degrees.
Specialisations in the Graduate Certificate of Counselling
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Addiction
Learn to support individuals, families and communities with addiction, developing the skills to practice with trauma-informed and culturally sensitive counselling approaches.
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Child, Youth and Family Therapy
Develop skills in child abuse prevention, intervention and counselling expertise to support the wellbeing of children, young adults and families.
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Mental Health Practice
Be a mental health advocate, supporting individuals with conditions such as anxiety and depression within a counselling setting.
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Trauma Focused Practice
Delve into the specialty area of trauma focussed practice by exploring trauma impact, treatment models, and recent neuroscience developments.
Academics who are also clinicians
I’m a registered psychologist as well as an academic. The benefit of having academics who are also clinicians is that we’re working in the field at the same time as teaching. Our research is informed by our clinical practice and vice versa, so it is a good holistic approach.
Dr Adina Piovesana
Career outcomes
The Graduate Certificate of Counselling opens doors to a variety of supportive, non-clinical, and allied roles across sectors. Some career opportunities for graduates who are not eligible for counsellor registration include:
- helpline or crisis line support officer (e.g., Lifeline, kids helpline)
- community outreach worker
- volunteer coordinator (mental health or community services)
- program facilitator (e.g., parenting, resilience, or youth programs)
- employee wellbeing assistant
- pastoral care worker
- student wellbeing officer or youth support officer
- mental health or disability support worker (with psychosocial focus).
For those seeking registration as a counsellor, please refer to the Graduate Diploma of Counselling and Master of Counselling degrees.
What you'll study
To graduate from the Graduate Certificate of Counselling, you must successfully complete 4 units of study.
Degree structure
A postgraduate university degree typically comprises of advanced coursework and research opportunities, allowing you to deepen your expertise in a specific field while building upon foundational knowledge.
Refer to the UniSQ Handbook for detailed recommended enrolment patterns and course availability.
You may be eligible for recognition of prior learning if you have previous studies or relevant work experience. This could reduce the number of courses you need to study to complete your degree.
Degree requirements
Most residential school courses in this degree are held online.
Students selecting to study the Mental Health Practice specialisation will be required to come to the UniSQ Ipswich campus to complete a residential school course.
Other study options
If you’re interested in further study, after completion of this degree you can go on to study the Graduate Diploma of Counselling and Master of Counselling (if you meet all the entry requirements).
Entry requirements
There are many ways to be considered for entry into a UniSQ degree based on your education, work experience and relevant personal attributes. You need to satisfy the following requirements to be considered for entry into this postgraduate degree.
- Completion of an Australian university 3-year bachelor degree, or equivalent, in any area.
You'll need to meet the applicable English language requirements and this degree requires:
- IELTS (Academic) - Minimum overall score of 6.5 and a minimum score of 6.0 in each of the four components - listening, reading, writing, and speaking.
Alternative English language proficiency tests may also be accepted.
Entry pathways
There is more than one way to get into university, and if you're not sure about your entry options get in touch to discuss.
Fees and scholarships
- This estimated 2025 annual fee is based on the current average rate for your first year of study (4 units per year) and does not include cost of materials such as textbooks, additional costs or the Student Services and Amenities fee.
- This is an indicative guide only and your fees will vary depending on the courses you select, with the actual rates calculated at enrolment.
- We review our fees annually and they may increase each year.
- Further details are available on the Fees website.
Additional costs
You may be required to pay the Student Services and Amenities Fee as part of your degree cost.
For students selecting to study the Mental Health Practice specialisation, your studies include an on-campus residential school component that involves travel, accommodation, and meal expenses.
Payment options
You may not have to pay your course (subject) fees upfront. FEE-HELP is a government loan scheme that allows you to defer payment until your income reaches a certain threshold. Find out if you are eligible for FEE-HELP.
You may also be eligible to receive financial support from Services Australia.
UniSQ Scholarships
We offer scholarships for academic excellence, community leadership, and financial need - you can apply for more than one!
Find out moreHow to apply
Complete your online application directly to UniSQ.
ApplyYou can select to start your study in Trimester 1, 2 or 3.
| Study period | Application closing date | Orientation | Start date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trimester 1, 2025 | Monday 10 February | Monday 3 February | Monday 10 February |
| Trimester 2, 2025 | Monday 26 May | Monday 19 May | Monday 26 May |
| Trimester 3, 2025 | Monday 8 September | Monday 1 September | Monday 8 September |
| Trimester 1, 2026 | Monday 16 February | Monday 9 February | Monday 16 February |
More information on application key dates is available.
Preparing to apply
You've made the decision to study at UniSQ - congratulations! Take the next steps:
The entry requirements for your degree will provide you with details regarding the documentation to provide. These may include:
- interviews and selection criteria
- CV/resume or LinkedIn profile
- referee reports.
After you’ve submitted your application, you will be emailed a reference number. You will be notified via email the outcome of your application within 10 business days.
Follow the link in your email from UniSQ or log in to the application portal to accept your offer.
Find out more
Connect with us - start a conversation, whenever suits you.
Available 5 days a week
Chat now
Freecall
1800 269 500
Email us at study@unisq.edu.au
Frequently asked questions
With many career prospects to explore, the employment opportunities that may suit you will depend on the specialisation you choose to study. At UniSQ, you can choose from a number of specialisations that align with your career interests including Addiction counselling; Child, Youth and Family Therapy; Mental Health Practice; and Trauma Focused Practice.
A Graduate Certificate of Counselling qualification from UniSQ can open up many opportunities for employment in a variety of counselling and human services roles including:
- government
- private organisations
- private practice.
If you want to enhance your counselling knowledge in your chosen specialisation, use your Graduate Certificate in Counselling as a stepping-stone to study a Graduate Diploma of Counselling or Master of Counselling.
A career in counselling is a challenging yet rewarding career with vast employment opportunities. By following your passion with a Graduate Certificate in Counselling online, you’ll use your specialised knowledge and expertise to positively impact the lives of others. If you are passionate about helping others, the Graduate Certificate of Counselling might be for you.
UniSQ’s online counselling degree is designed to develop your career within the health, psychology or human services profession and is an exciting professional development opportunity for psychologists and social workers.
The Graduate Certificate of Counselling major that’s right for you will vary depending on your interests and goals. At UniSQ we have four different majors to choose from.
- Addiction - acquire practical skills needed to counsel people struggling with substance and behavioural addiction.
- Child, Youth & Family Therapy - learn about child abuse prevention and intervention, along with relationship, family, child and youth counselling.
- Mental Health Practice - support those in our community with mental health conditions by learning about therapeutic interventions, assessment models and psychopharmacology.
- Trauma Focused Practice - explore the impact of trauma and the various models and approaches to recognising and treating trauma.
If you are unsure which path is right for you, get in touch with one of our degree advisors to talk through your options.
There are many great reasons to study a Master of Counselling:
- UniSQ's staff are leaders in Psychology and are dedicated to ensuring you have the skills needed to make meaningful impacts.
- UniSQ is rated 5/5 stars for postgraduate starting salary (Good Universities Guide, 2025).
- Graduate from UniSQ as a skilled professional able to develop, support and advance the social and psychological wellbeing of individuals and communities within in-demand industry.
- UniSQ offers a number of bachelor degrees as a pathway to the Graduate Certificate of Counselling if you don’t meet the entry requirements.
UniSQ’s Graduate Certificate of Counselling provides a solid foundation if you want to build on your current skill set or undertake professional development.
If you want to become registered as a counsellor in Australia you can study a Graduate Diploma of Counselling and Master of Counselling at UniSQ. Depending on your chosen specialisation you will then be able to apply for membership of the Australian Counselling Association (ACA) and register as a counsellor with the Australian Register of Counsellors and Psychotherapists (ARCAP).
