Bachelor of Counselling

The University of Notre Dame Australia

CRICOS Institution Code 01032F

Duration

156 weeks

Delivery

On campus

Study Load

Full time / Part time

Intakes

—

Course Overview

About This Course

Notre Dame's Bachelor of Counselling prepares students for a fulfilling career as a professional counsellor, supporting individuals, couples and families through life's challenges. Across three years of study, students gain a strong theoretical foundation alongside practical, hands-on experience, developing skills to work with a wide range of client needs including trauma, addiction, grief and loss, and relationship concerns.

The fully-integrated program focuses on psychosocial, personal and spiritual development throughout the lifespan. In Year One, students study theories and approaches to counselling, explore personal values and belief systems, and begin developing practical counselling skills, before moving to specific areas of counselling children, adolescents, couples, families and older people in Years Two and Three. The program includes 200 hours of practical placement in a counselling agency, comprising at least 80 hours of direct client contact and 20 hours of clinical supervision.

Upon graduation, students are entitled to register as a professional counsellor with the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA). A second-year entry pathway is also available for applicants who have completed a Diploma of Counselling (CHC51015), granting one year of full-time equivalent credit.

Where You Can Study

Available Locations

Perth

88 Guy St, Broome, WA 6725

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Student Information

Fees & Entry by Student Type

Provider's Published Fee

Commonwealth Supported Place: approx. $17,400/year (2026 Band 4 rate, closest published analogue — Notre Dame does not separately publish a CSP band for Counselling); indicative total approx. $52,200 for 3 years full-time.

Eligibility

Entry Requirements

General Requirements

Domestic Students

Fremantle (WA) campus

Applicants with recent Secondary Education: Indicative ATAR/Selection Rank of 70, OR International Baccalaureate (IB) score of 25
Applicants with Higher Education: successful completion of 2 subjects at undergraduate level or higher, OR successful completion of the Notre Dame Tertiary Pathway Program (TPP) or an equivalent tertiary preparation program
Applicants with VET study: successful completion of AQF Certificate IV or higher from an accredited provider such as TAFE or an RTO
Applicants with Work and Life Experience (20+ years of age, 2+ years since secondary education): at least two years of relevant work experience (STAT may be required), OR STAT scores of at least 135 (Multiple Choice) and 140 (Written English), OR two Year 12 WACE/HSC exams equivalent to the Indicative ATAR/Selection Rank above
Discipline-specific: submission of a personal statement outlining motivations and suitability to study counselling (self-awareness, capacity to relate to others, understanding of ethical behaviour)

Sydney (NSW) campus

Applicants with recent Secondary Education: Prescribed ATAR/Selection Rank, OR equivalent International Baccalaureate (IB) score
Applicants with Higher Education: successful completion of 2 subjects at undergraduate level or higher, OR successful completion of the Notre Dame Tertiary Pathway Program (TPP) or an equivalent tertiary preparation program
Applicants with VET study: successful completion of AQF Certificate IV or higher from an accredited provider such as TAFE or an RTO
Applicants with Work and Life Experience (20+ years of age, 2+ years since secondary education): at least two years of relevant work experience (STAT may be required), OR STAT scores of at least 150 (Multiple Choice) and 150 (Written English), OR two Year 12 WACE/HSC exams equivalent to the Prescribed ATAR/Selection Rank above
Discipline-specific: submission of a personal statement as above, plus a current National Police Clearance required before enrolling in placement courses

Applicants who have already completed a Diploma of Counselling (CHC51015) may be eligible for direct entry into second year (one year of full-time equivalent credit).

International Students

Same academic entry requirements as domestic students (see above)
English language proficiency (all international applicants):
Undergraduate coursework: IELTS Academic 6.0 overall (no band <6.0) | PTE Academic 50 | TOEFL iBT 73 (pre-2026) / 4 overall (2026+, no skill <3.5-4) | CAE/CPE 169

Career & Study Pathways

Where this takes you

Career Opportunities

Youth worker
Trauma counsellor
Drug and alcohol counsellor
Family counsellor

Quality & Recognition

Accreditation & Migration

Academic Regulator

TEQSA

Professional Body

Australian Counselling Association (ACA) / PACFA

Accreditation Status

Accredited

Skills Assessor

ACA / PACFA

Course Content

Units of Competency

All Units20 units

ABOR1000

Aboriginal People

Year One

ARTS1000

Academic Writing, Communication and Research

Year One

COUN1002

Formation of the Professional Counsellor (Milestone 1)

Year One

COUN1003

Theories and Approaches to Counselling

Year One

COUN1004

Counselling Skills Training 1

Year One

COUN1005

Introduction to Personal and Professional Ethics (Foundations of Formation)

Year One

PSYC2170

Lifespan Development

Year One

COUN2001

Formation of the Professional Counsellor (Milestone 2)

Year Two

COUN2002

Counselling Skills Training 2

Year Two

COUN2003

Counselling Skills Training 3

Year Two

COUN2004

Counselling and Children

Year Two

COUN2005

Grief and Loss Counselling

Year Two

COUN2006

Counselling Adolescents

Year Two

COUN2007

Trauma and Addiction Counselling

Year Two

COUN2008

Mental Health

Year Two

COUN3001

Formation of the Professional Counsellor (Milestone 3)

Year Three

COUN3002

Placement and Supervision A

Year Three

COUN3003

Placement and Supervision B

Year Three

COUN3005

Counselling Older People

Year Three

COUN3006

Counselling Couples and Families

Year Three

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

How many hours of practical placement are required in the Bachelor of Counselling?

The Bachelor of Counselling includes 200 hours of practical placement, comprising a minimum of 80 hours of direct client contact and 20 hours of clinical supervision. These hands-on experiences provide invaluable opportunities to integrate theory with practice, enabling students to build confidence, competence, and professional identity.

Will I be eligible for professional registration after completing this degree?

Upon graduation, you will be entitled to register as a professional counsellor with Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation Australia (PACFA), which is the accrediting body for this program.

Where can I study the Bachelor of Counselling and when can I start?

The Bachelor of Counselling is offered on campus at two locations: Fremantle (WA) and Sydney (NSW). The program commences in both Semester 1 and Semester 2, and can be studied full-time (3 years) or equivalent part-time.

What areas of counselling will I specialise in during the degree?

The program covers a wide range of counselling specialisations. You will develop skills to work with children, adolescents, couples, families, and older people, as well as in areas including trauma, addiction, grief and loss, mental health, and relationship concerns.

Is a personal statement required as part of the application for the Bachelor of Counselling?

Yes, admission into the Bachelor of Counselling requires submission of a personal statement outlining your motivations and demonstrating suitability to study counselling as per accreditation requirements, including self-awareness, capacity to relate to others, and an understanding of ethical behaviour.

Application

How to Apply

Three simple steps to get enrolled

Step 01

Enquire

Click "Enquire Now" and tell us a little about yourself. It's free and takes 2 minutes.

Step 02

Submit Documents

Our team will guide you on exactly which documents to prepare and submit.

Step 03

Get Enrolled

Receive your offer letter and confirm your enrolment. Welcome to the course!

Processing time: Offer letter issued within approximately 1 business days.

Course Snapshot

Typical Salary (AUD)

Entry-level (0-2 years)$60,000 – $75,000/yr

Early Career (2-5 years)$75,000 – $90,000/yr

Mid-Level (5-10 years)$90,000 – $105,000/yr

Career Paths

Mental Health Counsellor
Youth Counsellor / School Counsellor
Family and Relationship Counsellor
Drug and Alcohol Counsellor (AOD Counsellor)
Trauma Counsellor

Key Skills

Active listening and reflective communication
Building therapeutic rapport and trust with clients
Applying counselling theories and frameworks (CBT, person-centred, psychodynamic, narrative)
Crisis intervention and risk assessment
Trauma-informed and culturally safe practice

Full course overview

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Bachelor of Counselling

About This Course

Available Locations

Fees & Entry by Student Type

Entry Requirements

Where this takes you

Accreditation & Migration

Units of Competency

Frequently Asked Questions

How to Apply

Hear From the Students