Counselling degrees

A counsellor supports individuals, families and groups to navigate personal challenges, improve mental wellbeing and build coping strategies. This may include helping people work through issues such as relationships, stress, trauma, grief, mental health concerns, career decisions and life transitions.

Counsellors use evidence‑based approaches, strong communication skills and psychological understanding to assess client needs, provide guidance and support positive change. They work in a range of settings including community services, private practice, schools, healthcare and government organisations.

Studying counselling at UniSQ prepares you to provide meaningful, people‑focused support using practical, evidence‑based techniques, equipping you to help individuals and communities build resilience and improve wellbeing across diverse contexts.

What you learn in a counselling degree will vary depending on the the degree and specialisation you choose to study.

At UniSQ, you’ll learn the fundamental theories and principles of counselling to support people with their mental health. With a focus on practical learning, these skills will equip you with the knowledge and insights you need to provide direction to individuals and families navigating difficulties with relationships, careers or personal set-backs.

You will also develop skills in communication, client assessment, ethical practice and applying counselling techniques across different real world scenarios. You’ll also build your understanding of human behaviour, communication techniques and therapeutic approaches, and explore mental health frameworks that prepare you to support people through a range of personal and social challenges. 

Our Bachelor of Arts – Counselling Practice will take three years of full-time study to complete. Some students choose to study part-time which increases the time it takes to finish the required courses.  

A Graduate Certificate in Counselling takes approximately six months to one year to complete, and a graduate diploma is generally one year of full-time study. 

A Masters of Counselling will usually take you two years of full-time study to complete. 

At UniSQ you can study on your own terms, in your own time. Study one subject at a time or take extra subjects when life allows it – the choice is yours. Discover the different ways you can study at UniSQ. 

To pursue a counselling career with UniSQ, you can start with a Graduate Certificate of Counselling, but if you’re aiming for professional registration, a Graduate Diploma of Counselling or the Master of Counselling are the best qualifications. The graduate certificate offers foundational counselling theory and skills and allows progression into higher-level programs.

The Graduate Diploma of Counselling equips you for membership with the Australian Counselling Association (ACA) and positions you to articulate into the Master’s program, building a strong foundation in trauma-informed, culturally sensitive practice.

For full professional accreditation, the Master of Counselling is recommended. This degree meets the registration standards of the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA) and ACA, preparing you to register with the Australian Register of Counsellors and Psychotherapists (ARCAP). It includes an embedded Graduate Diploma and offers specialisations like Mental Health Practice, Child, Youth & Family Therapy, or Trauma-Focused Practice. 

A counselling degree from UniSQ will open many career paths as a counsellor in nursing, psychology, welfare, human services, allied health practices, government, and many more.

Graduates may pursue roles such as:

• counsellor
• case manager
• child safety officer
• youth worker
• development and welfare worker
• support worker

You may also work in areas such as mental health support services, family and relationship counselling, community programs and allied health settings.

When you study counselling at UniSQ, you’ll be part of a supportive educational environment that encourages intellectual curiosity. Our health lecturers are experts in their chosen field, using professional networks and the university’s facilities to develop and teach industry-relevant courses. Depending on your degree, you’ll have the freedom and flexibility to choose your study mode. The choice is up to you!

You will also benefit from practical, industry aligned learning designed to prepare you for real world counselling environments.

Without a recognised qualification like the Graduate Diploma of Counselling or the Master of Counselling (Qualifying), access to professional roles, referral networks and client trust will be limited.

UniSQ’s Graduate Diploma of Counselling prepares you to apply for membership with the Australian Counselling Association; progressing into the Master of Counselling further qualifies you for registration with professional bodies. These credentials significantly boost your credibility and employability in counselling roles.