Counselling courses
Want to work as a counsellor? A diploma gets you into the field in under a year, and there's another one for helping people with debt. The degree in psychology and counselling is the longer route, and the one to take if psychology interests you. Here's how they compare.
- Quickest way to start
- 6 months
- Diploma, full time at TAFE NSW
- TAFE cost from
- $5,723
- subsidised Diploma, Chisholm Institute
- What the jobs pay
- $56,900 to $114,600
- median pay across 3 jobs, some estimated
- Demand
- 1 of 3 jobs
- are on the national shortage list
Which course do you need?
It depends on the job you want.
Diploma of Counselling
Work as a counsellor
Support clients through personal and psychological difficulties, running sessions in a community organisation or agency.
JobCounsellor
Median pay$112,000
- How long it takes
- 6 to 12 months full time at TAFE NSW
- What it costs
- $5,723 at Chisholm Institute if you're eligible for a subsidised place, or $13,393 full fee
- How you'll study
- Online or on campus
Diploma of Financial Counselling
Help people with problem debt
Help people who are overwhelmed by debt understand their options and advocate for them with creditors.
Median pay$56,900 (estimate)
- How long it takes
- 6 to 18 months full time at TAFE NSW
- How you'll study
- On campus
Bachelor of Psychology and Counselling
Start training in psychology
Assess how people think, feel and behave, and work with them on mental health difficulties.
JobPsychologist
Median pay$114,600
A step towards this job, not the whole route. What else you need
- How long it takes
- 3 years full time
- How you'll study
- Online or on campus
You don't have to do it all at once
You can start with a diploma, get work as a counsellor, and go on to a degree later if you want to.
- Get the Diploma of CounsellingIt's the quickest way in, and enough to work in a community organisation or agency with support around you.
- Work as a counsellorGet experience with clients in an established service while you work out which direction suits you.
- Study the psychology and counselling degreeThis adds psychology to your counselling skills and opens the door to further study if you want to become a psychologist.
How much it costs at TAFE
If you're eligible for a government-subsidised place, you pay much less than the full fee, and in some states these courses can be free. Here's what each TAFE lists.
| TAFE | State | Diploma | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subsidised | Full fee | ||
| Chisholm Institute | VIC | $5,723 | $13,393 |
| TAFE Queensland | QLD | Not listed | $13,315 |
Chisholm InstituteVIC
- Diploma
- $5,723 subsidised
- $13,393 full fee
TAFE QueenslandQLD
- Diploma
- Not listed
- $13,315 full fee
Fees as each TAFE shows them on its website, checked 20 September 2026. “Not listed” means the TAFE doesn't show that fee online. Private colleges set their own fees.
Other university courses
- Bachelor of Counselling3 years. A degree in counselling theory and practice with supervised placements. Check with the provider whether it meets a counselling association's standards.
- Undergraduate Certificate in Counselling6 months. A short introduction to counselling skills and ethics. It suits people testing whether the work suits them, and those in related roles such as teaching.
Can help with: boarding house supervisor, student services adviser
Jobs you can do with this study
Pay is the median for everyone in the job, not a starting salary.
- PsychologistWhat you needBachelor degree, then further trainingMedian pay$114,600In demand
- CounsellorWhat you needDiplomaMedian pay$112,000
- Financial CounsellorWhat you needDiplomaMedian pay$56,900 (estimate)
“In demand” means the job is on the national skills shortage list. Pay marked as an estimate is our own analysis, not a published figure. Check the course and provider are approved for the work you want, as rules differ by state.
Still not sure which one fits you?
Answer a few quick questions about your time, state and budget, and we'll show the courses that suit you.