Bachelor of Counselling

Griffith University

CRICOS Institution Code 00233E

Duration

156 weeks

Delivery

On-campus

Study Load

On-campus (face-to-face)

Intakes

—

Course Overview

About This Course

Meet the demand for caring professionals who support the wellbeing of individuals, families, and communities. With Griffith's Bachelor of Counselling, you'll gain the theoretical knowledge and practical skills to register and practice as a professional counsellor. You'll graduate ready to work across a broad range of organisations, helping people address personal, work and relationship challenges.

You'll learn through collaborative teaching environments and master current healthcare and mental health practice standards to help create a healthier future for all.

Highlights of studying the Bachelor of Counselling

Build a solid foundation in counselling, learning both the theory and practical skills you'll need to support people in different settings, from clinics to community programs.
Get hands-on experience through placements to boost your skills and confidence.
Graduate ready for registration with the Australian Register of Counsellors and Psychotherapists (ARCAP), with opportunities to join other professional organisations and set your path toward becoming an accredited counsellor.
Learn alongside students from other health disciplines, preparing for work in collaborative, interprofessional environments.
Learn from practising experts who are part of major Australian research projects at the world-renowned Griffith Centre for Mental Health.

Professional placements

Apply your skills through clinical placements at our on-campus clinics or partner healthcare providers. This degree includes an internship and culminates in two counselling placements, allowing you to work directly with clients in professional counselling organisations.

Where You Can Study

Available Locations

Brisbane

Level 8, 333 Ann Street, Brisbane, QLD 4000

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Student Information

Fees & Entry by Student Type

Provider's Published Fee

AUD $13,400 per year

Duration

156 weeks

Intakes

Trimester 1 | Trimester 2 | Trimester 3

Study Mode

On-campus (face-to-face)

Eligibility

Entry Requirements

General Requirements

Domestic students:

Prerequisites: NIL (no specific prerequisite subjects)
Assumed knowledge: Any General or Applied English subject (Units 3 and 4, C)
Assumed knowledge: Any two units of English (Band 3)
Recent adjusted ATAR/Rank (indicative, varies by campus and year): 67
English language: IELTS (Academic) overall band 6.5 or equivalent, for applicants whose prior study was not in English

International students:

A minimum overall band score of 6.5 on International English Language Testing System (Academic) with no sub-score of less than 6.0
OR an overall score of 79 in the internet-based (iBT) Test of English as a Foreign Language with no sub-score less than 19 (applies to tests taken prior to 21 January 2026)
OR an overall score of 4 in the internet-based (iBT) Test of English as a Foreign Language with a minimum score of 4 in each of the listening, reading, and writing skills, and a minimum score of 3.5 in speaking skills (applies to tests taken on or after 21 January 2026)
OR no score less than 3+ in each skill of the International Second Language Proficiency Rating (conducted by International Second Language Proficiency Rating Language Services only)
OR a minimum overall score of 176 (no score less than 169) on Cambridge C1 Advanced or Cambridge C2 Proficiency
OR an overall score of 58 in the Pearson Test of English (Academic) with no score less than 50 (applies to tests taken prior to 7 August 2025)
OR an overall score of 55 in the Pearson Test of English (Academic) with no score less than 47 (applies to tests taken on or after 7 August 2025)
OR an overall score of 70 in the LanguageCert Academic
OR an overall score of 59 in the Michigan English Test (MET)
CRICOS-registered course - international students must hold a valid student visa

Career & Study Pathways

Where this takes you

Career Opportunities

Griffith is recognised for producing highly skilled and sought-after graduates across the health and community services sectors.
As a graduate, you'll be prepared to work in general counselling, as well as in specialised areas such as alcohol and other drugs counselling, youth and family counselling, relationship counselling, grief support, correctional services and telephone or crisis support.
You'll also have the foundation to pursue further study or professional development toward roles such as career counsellor, rehabilitation counsellor, guidance counsellor or mediator.

Quality & Recognition

Accreditation & Migration

Academic Regulator

TEQSA

Professional Body

Australian Counselling Association (ACA) / PACFA

Accreditation Status

Accredited

Skills Assessor

ACA / PACFA

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does the Bachelor of Counselling take to complete at Griffith University?

The Bachelor of Counselling at Griffith University has a duration of 156 weeks (approximately 3 years).

Is there a work placement component in the Bachelor of Counselling?

Yes, the Bachelor of Counselling includes a mandatory work component totalling 280 hours, structured as 10 hours per week over 28 weeks.

What are the tuition fees for international students enrolled in the Bachelor of Counselling?

The tuition fee for the Bachelor of Counselling is AU$106,500, with a non-tuition fee of AU$2,773, making the estimated total course cost AU$109,273.

Where can I study the Bachelor of Counselling at Griffith University?

The Bachelor of Counselling is available at three Griffith University campuses: Brisbane South (Mt Gravatt), Brisbane South (Nathan), and Gold Coast — all locations owned and operated by the university.

Is the Bachelor of Counselling eligible for extended Post-Study Work Rights?

Eligibility for extended Post-Study Work Rights depends on criteria including course status, qualification level (Bachelor or above), duration of 92 weeks or more, and alignment with the Skills Level 1 priority field of education list. The Bachelor of Counselling meets several of these criteria, but eligibility is reviewed yearly. For more information, contact ESOS-PolicyTeam@education.gov.au.

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!

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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Master of Nursing · Griffith University

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