Course Overview

About This Course

The Diploma of Counselling and Communication Skills builds a foundation of key counselling and communication skills. On completion, you'll have the opportunity to build a career in the industry or take your credits into the Bachelor of Counselling. This course offers the knowledge and skills needed for a career in the community sector. You'll develop an understanding of human behaviour at different stages, behavioural problems and strategies for positive behaviour management, and the impact of society and culture. Learn how to critically review a range of theories in counselling and relate them to issues in practice, take an ethical approach to counselling and develop skills to assess, manage and refer clients accordingly.

Where You Can Study

Available Locations

Online

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Eligibility

Entry Requirements

General Requirements

Year 12 (Australian secondary school certificate) or equivalent
OR Successful completion of a Vocational qualification (AQF Level 4), or above
OR Successful completion of at least 0.5 EFTSL at AQF level 5, 0.25 EFTSL at AQF level 6 or above, or equivalent

Career & Study Pathways

Where this takes you

Career Opportunities

The Diploma of Counselling and Communication skills will prepare you with the skills to enter a successful career in corporate health or aged care, or to further your study in health at bachelor's level. Potential career paths include: Community Worker (Average salary: $55,682 - $107,314) and Welfare Worker (Average salary: $71,542 - $95,974).

Quality & Recognition

Accreditation & Migration

Academic Regulator

ASQA

Professional Body

Australian Counselling Association (ACA) / PACFA

Accreditation Status

Accredited

Skills Assessor

ACA / PACFA

Course Content

Units of Competency

All Units8 units

HWEL2006T

Social and Emotional Wellbeing

Explore the principles of social, emotional, and psychological health and how they relate to health behaviours. Examines how health psychology contributes to the promotion of wellbeing through mindfulness, positive behavioural change, and resilience.

HSC101T

Professional Communication and Collaboration

Introduces skills required by health professionals to enable effective interactions within a wide variety of inter-personal and inter-professional workplace settings. Covers foundational counselling skills, ethical communication, diversity and inclusion, and professional behaviours.

HCCSD101T

Case Management and Understanding Community Services

Introduces the community services sector in Australia and the practice and skills required for case management and program development. Covers theory and practice of program planning, development and evaluation.

HCCSD102T

Person Centred Practice

Introduces the key tenets of person-centred practice beginning with a philosophical understanding of what it means to be a person including values, knowing self, and flourishing as a human, as well as Carl Rogers' core conditions.

HWEL2002T

Understanding Health

Provides an introduction to the diversity of health theories and initiatives to improve health outcomes. Engages with key concepts including human right to health, social determinants of health, equality, equity and vulnerability.

HCCSD104T

Lifespan Development

Introduces the field of developmental psychology. Examines the key life stages from prenatal development through to death, considering their social and cultural contexts and theories of human development.

HCCSD105T

Theories of Counselling

Introduces the core skills required for counselling, providing theoretical and practical learning opportunities to develop counselling skills. Explores interrelationships between counselling theories, modalities, and related macro and micro skills.

HCCSD103T

Mental Health

Introduces the basics of mental health including definitions of mental health disorders, mental health theories, and risk factors. Covers methods of assessment, treatment and care of people with mental ill-health, and assessment tools such as the DSM-5-TR and ICD-11.

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use this diploma as a pathway into a bachelor's degree?

Yes, on completion of the Diploma of Counselling and Communication Skills, you'll have the opportunity to take your credits into the Bachelor of Counselling, allowing you to further your study in health at bachelor's level.

Are there formal exams in this course?

No, there are no formal exams. Assessments may include activity-based assignments or online quizzes.

How many subjects are in the course and how much study is required per week?

This course comprises 8 core subjects, each subject requiring 10 hours of study per week; three hours facilitated and seven self-directed.

Is financial assistance available for this diploma?

Eligible Australian students may choose to defer some, or all, of their tuition fees through FEE-HELP, a loan scheme repaid through the tax system based on income. A variety of health scholarships are also available to assist students in becoming a key part of the health industry.

Who delivers this course?

This course is provided by Torrens University Australia, ABN 99 154 937 005, TEQSA Provider ID: PRV12209 (Australian University) and delivered by Think: Colleges Pty Ltd through a third-party agreement.

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

Salary, careers & skills

Typical Salary

Entry-level (0-2 years)AUD $60,000 to $75,000 per year

Early Career (2-5 years)AUD $75,000 to $90,000 per year

Mid-Level (5-10 years)AUD $90,000 to $105,000 per year

Career Paths

Mental Health CounsellorYouth Counsellor / School CounsellorFamily and Relationship CounsellorDrug and Alcohol Counsellor (AOD Counsellor)Trauma Counsellor

Key Skills

Active listening and reflective communicationBuilding therapeutic rapport and trust with clientsApplying counselling theories and frameworks (CBT, person-centred, psychodynamic, narrative)Crisis intervention and risk assessmentTrauma-informed and culturally safe practice

Full Course Overview

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