University of Canberra
Graduate Certificate in Counselling
- Delivery: Online
- Commitment: 15 - 20 hours/week
- Study Level: Postgraduate
- Duration: 8 months
This online qualification allows you to take the next step in your career as a counsellor, youth worker, community support worker, case worker, family counsellor and many other human service roles and provides a pathway to the Master of Counselling.
Course overview
Guide the way by gaining the foundational skills in counselling to practise respectful and inclusive counselling. You will experience interactive teaching in a supportive learning environment.
- Skills relevant to industry: Learn the theoretical and practical elements of the helping relationship to make ethical decisions in a range of contexts.
- Dedicated student support: Be supported by a learning community of students and academics.
- Accelerated learning with immediate application: Study one unit at a time, online and accelerated, instantly adding value to your career and organisation. Start anytime – intakes are open every two months.
Key facts
July, 2025
September, 2025
October, 2025
What you will study
The Graduate Certificate in Counselling encompasses four units.
- Counselling Theory and Approaches
- Core Counselling Skills
- Principles of Ethical Conduct in Counselling
- Diversity Inclusion Respect
Entry requirements
To be eligible for the Graduate Certificate in Counselling, applicants must:
- Have an undergraduate or postgraduate degree in any discipline or hold an AQF Diploma or Advanced Diploma in a Counselling or Counselling related subject and provide proof of four years of full-time counselling/counselling-related experience.
- Fulfil non-standard English language requirements that are outlined in ‘Additional requirements’.
Additionally, completion of the graduate certificate would make a student eligible for direct admission to the graduate diploma and master’s degree programs.
English language requirements
There are non-standard English language requirements for this course. To be eligible, you must have an overall IELTS Academic score (or equivalent) of 7.0, with no band score below 7.0. For alternate/equivalent ways of meeting the English requirements for this course, please view the English Proficiency Requirements document on the university website.
Recognition of Prior Learning
You may be eligible for recognition of prior learning if you have previously studied or have relevant work experience. This will help to reduce the number of courses that you need to study to finish your program. Contact the university for more information.
Outcomes
Learning outcomes
- Foundations of counselling: Acquire a critical understanding of the skills and major models of counselling that will support you to work in a range of human service roles.
- Respectful approach to counselling: Develop the knowledge on how to work with people from diverse cultural backgrounds and identities.
- Dedicated support: A Student Success Adviser is allocated to support you throughout your study journey, from enrolment to graduation.
Career outcomes
Students of the Graduate Certificate in Counselling develop foundational skills that apply to various organisations and counselling teams. This qualification allows you to take the next step in your career as a counsellor, youth worker, community support worker, case worker, family counsellor, development officer and many other human service roles.
Fees and FEE-HELP
Estimated full course fee in 2025: $13,250 (domestic full-fee paying place)
The estimated full course fee is based on a study load of four units.
A student’s annual fee may vary per:
- The number of units studied per term.
- The choice of major or specialisation.
- Choice of units.
- Credit from previous study or work experience.
- Eligibility for government-funded loans.
Student fees shown are subject to change. Contact the university directly to confirm.
FEE-HELP loans are available to assist eligible full-fee-paying domestic students with the cost of a university course.