Counsellor
Support clients by helping them to develop strategies to cope with emotional, mental or lifestyle challenges.
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Jobs on SEEK right now
Job growth
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Projected job growth in 5 years
Salary
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Typical salary
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What's it like to be a Counsellor?
Counsellors provide support to people experiencing emotional difficulties by helping them to identify and work through their issues. Most Counsellors work with clients over a short period of time for a specific problem. They may use techniques such as talking therapy to assist clients reach their own resolutions or develop strategies to address their concerns. Counsellors may choose to specialise in relationship counselling, crisis and trauma counselling, drug and alcohol counselling, conflict resolution, stress management, grief and loss counselling or counselling of children and young people.
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Tasks and duties
- Meeting with clients to discuss their emotional, mental or lifestyle issues and helping them set goals and adopt strategies to address their issues.
- Facilitating group counselling sessions or mediating in conflict resolution settings.
- Referring clients to other healthcare professionals when appropriate and liaising with healthcare professionals as part of a health management team.
How to become a Counsellor
- Consider completing a Diploma of Counselling (CHC51015) which will introduce you to the field of counselling and prepare you for entry-level roles within the industry. This qualification can also be used as a pathway into further study.
- Complete an approved undergraduate degree such as a Bachelor of Counselling. A bachelor degree will give you important practical experience in a work environment.
- Register with the Australian Counselling Association (ACA) or the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA).
- If you have already completed an undergraduate degree, or if you would like to further your skills, consider completing a postgraduate degree such as a Graduate Diploma of Counselling or Master of Counselling.
- To gain experience in the industry and boost your resume, you can volunteer with a helpline or other more direct support roles.
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Latest Counsellor jobs on SEEK
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Location
AustraliaTop skills and experience requested in recent job ads
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PsychologyPsychotherapyAHPRA RegistrationCase ManagementFamily TherapyCollaborationTrauma Informed PracticeClinical SupervisionSocial SciencesChild Protection ServicesSkills listed in your SEEK Profile
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Is Counsellor the right role for me?
How do Counsellors rate their role?
Average ratings calculated from 73 Counsellors surveyed on SEEK.
Work-life balance
4.2
Job satisfaction
4.6
Career progression opportunities
3.7
Job security
3.7
Pay / Salary
3.5
Variety of work
4.3
Job market trends for Counsellors
Location
AustraliaProjected job growth
National increase over next 5 years
2021
2026
Source: National Skills Commission. Counsellors
Source: SEEK job ads and SEEK role reviews
Latest Counsellor reviews
Latest reviews from 62 Counsellors surveyed on SEEK.
All
Positive
Negative
May 2021
Counelling: A Challenging and Rewarding Role
Reviewer's Qualification
Bachelor of Counselling
Experience
5 – 9 years
Organisation size
Small (1-19 employees)
Specialisation
Chronic/complex trauma
The good things
Counselling is challenging and carries with it a significant level of responsibility. I enjoy the relationships I have with my clients and feel happy that they love coming to me for counselling. The...
The challenges
When a client who has experienced chronic and complex trauma presents for counselling, there are always a myriad of challenges to be negotiated. Firstly, trust is critically important. In order for ...
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May 2021
Counselling is a rewarding career choice, provided you have work life balance, self care and support
Reviewer's Qualification
Master of Counselling
Experience
1 – 4 years
Organisation size
Small (1-19 employees)
Specialisation
Domestic Violence
The good things
It is rewarding to help people and make a difference in their lives. I love working with other counsellor staff, my team at work keeps me going. I really enjoy clinical supervision
The challenges
Limited resources due to lacking funding. Hearing traumatic details about people’s lives can be tough. Work life balance is not great as I have two jobs.
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Source: SEEK job ads and SEEK Profile data