Program Overview

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Graduate Diploma in Counselling (SCG401.1)

About this course

This course is a professional qualification in counselling, offering a flexible pathway for entry-level 'helping professionals'. Studying in a supportive learning environment with a focus on skills development, students will:

• Learn the skills to identify challenges in the counselling field and implement ethical and realistic solutions
• Communicate knowledge, ideas, and opinions effectively within a range of cultural and interdisciplinary contexts
• Gain an understanding of the principles of ethical and professional practice and respect all aspects of diversity
• Demonstrate a critical understanding of major theories, models and techniques specific to counselling
• Display a high level of understanding of major evidence-based research theory and current practices in the field of counselling and psychotherapy With a focus on experiential learning, the student will be offered a counselling placement, participate in small group supervision and a five day face-to-face residential.

Admission requirements

Admission to this course is competitive. Applications will be assessed on the basis of academic merit, work experience and the number of available places. Applicants must:

1. have an undergraduate or postgraduate degree in any discipline. No Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) will be offered for any units included in this course.

Additional admission requirements

Students are required to undergo a National Police check and relevant state-based checks (i.e. Working with Vulnerable People Check, Working With Children Check) as required by each placement agency in order to be accepted for each unit that includes a placement.

Assumed knowledge

None.

Periods course is open for new admissions

Year	Location	Teaching period	Teaching start date	Domestic	International
2026	UC - Canberra, Online	Study Block 1	19 January 2026
2026	UC - Canberra, Online	Study Block 2	16 March 2026
2026	UC - Canberra, Online	Study Block 3	11 May 2026
2026	UC - Canberra, Online	Study Block 4	06 July 2026
2026	UC - Canberra, Online	Study Block 5	31 August 2026
2026	UC - Canberra, Online	Study Block 6	26 October 2026
2027	UC - Canberra, Online	Study Block 1	18 January 2027
2027	UC - Canberra, Online	Study Block 2	15 March 2027
2027	UC - Canberra, Online	Study Block 3	10 May 2027
2027	UC - Canberra, Online	Study Block 4	05 July 2027
2027	UC - Canberra, Online	Study Block 5	30 August 2027
2027	UC - Canberra, Online	Study Block 6	25 October 2027

Credit arrangements

A credit transfer arrangement is available for this course for the following institutions:

• University Of Canberra
  • Graduate Certificate in Counselling (29219)

Course requirements

Graduate Diploma in Counselling (SCG401) | 24 credit points

• Required - Must pass 24 credit points as follows
  • Counselling Theory and Approaches G (11739) | 3 credit points — Level G
  • Core Counselling Skills G (11740) | 3 credit points — Level G
  • Principles of Ethical Conduct in Counselling G (11741) | 3 credit points — Level G
  • Diversity Inclusion Respect G (11742) | 3 credit points — Level G
  • Introduction to Placement and Supervision PG (11743) | 3 credit points — Level P
  • Counselling Skills in Practice PG (11744) | 3 credit points — Level P
  • Loss, Grief and Trauma in Counselling PG (11745) | 3 credit points — Level P
  • Placement A - Putting it all into Practice PG (11746) | 3 credit points — Level P

Placements requirements

This course includes a compulsory placement of 105 hours. Students will be expected to travel up to 1.5 hours to attend a placement, or in the case of regional and remote students, may need to travel further or potentially relocate for the duration of the placement if one cannot be secured in their area. In addition to the placement requirements, students will be required to attend a 5-day intensive workshop in person. The location of this is to be determined, with an on-campus site being certain.

Awards

Award	Official abbreviation
Graduate Diploma in Counselling	GradDip Couns

Alternative exits

• SCC401 Graduate Certificate in Counselling

Enrolment data

Location	Enrolments
UC - Canberra, Online	148

Course information

Course duration

The standard duration for this course is 1 year and 5 months (8 Study Blocks). The maximum duration is 4 years from date of enrolment to date of course completion.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes	Related graduate attributes
Apply reflective practice in personal and professional development.	UC graduates are professional: Employ up-to-date and relevant knowledge and skills; use creativity, critical thinking, analysis and research skills to solve theoretical and real-world problems; display initiative and drive, and use their organisational skills to plan and manage their workload; and take pride in their professional and personal integrity. UC graduates are global citizens: Understand issues in their profession from the perspective of other cultures; communicate effectively in diverse cultural and social settings; make creative use of technology in their learning and professional lives; and behave ethically and sustainably in their professional and personal lives. UC graduates are lifelong learners: Reflect on their own practice, updating and adapting their knowledge and skills for continual professional and academic development; be self-aware; and adapt to complexity, ambiguity and change by being flexible and keen to engage with new ideas.
Evaluate literature in relevant fields to inform professional practice and support pathways to further learning.	UC graduates are professional: Employ up-to-date and relevant knowledge and skills; communicate effectively; use creativity, critical thinking, analysis and research skills to solve theoretical and real-world problems; display initiative and drive, and use their organisational skills to plan and manage their workload; and take pride in their professional and personal integrity. UC graduates are global citizens: Understand issues in their profession from the perspective of other cultures; communicate effectively in diverse cultural and social settings; and behave ethically and sustainably in their professional and personal lives. UC graduates are lifelong learners: Reflect on their own practice, updating and adapting their knowledge and skills for continual professional and academic development; adapt to complexity, ambiguity and change by being flexible and keen to engage with new ideas; and evaluate and adopt new technology. UC graduates are able to demonstrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ways of knowing, being and doing: Use local Indigenous histories and traditional ecological knowledge to develop and augment understanding of their discipline; and apply their knowledge to working with Indigenous Australians in socially just ways.
Communicate relevant professional knowledge effectively and respectfully to a variety of audiences and in different formats.	UC graduates are professional: Employ up-to-date and relevant knowledge and skills; communicate effectively; use creativity, critical thinking, analysis and research skills to solve theoretical and real-world problems; work collaboratively as part of a team, negotiate, and resolve conflict; display initiative and drive, and use their organisational skills to plan and manage their workload; and take pride in their professional and personal integrity. UC graduates are global citizens: Think globally about issues in their profession; adopt an informed and balanced approach across professional and international boundaries; understand issues in their profession from the perspective of other cultures; communicate effectively in diverse cultural and social settings; and behave ethically and sustainably in their professional and personal lives. UC graduates are lifelong learners: Reflect on their own practice, updating and adapting their knowledge and skills for continual professional and academic development; adapt to complexity, ambiguity and change by being flexible and keen to engage with new ideas; and evaluate and adopt new technology. UC graduates are able to demonstrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ways of knowing, being and doing: Use local Indigenous histories and traditional ecological knowledge to develop and augment understanding of their discipline; communicate and engage with Indigenous Australians in ethical and culturally respectful ways; and apply their knowledge to working with Indigenous Australians in socially just ways.
Demonstrate discipline specific theoretical knowledge and skill-based practice.	UC graduates are professional: Employ up-to-date and relevant knowledge and skills; communicate effectively; use creativity, critical thinking, analysis and research skills to solve theoretical and real-world problems; work collaboratively as part of a team, negotiate, and resolve conflict; display initiative and drive, and use their organisational skills to plan and manage their workload; and take pride in their professional and personal integrity. UC graduates are global citizens: Think globally about issues in their profession; adopt an informed and balanced approach across professional and international boundaries; understand issues in their profession from the perspective of other cultures; communicate effectively in diverse cultural and social settings; make creative use of technology in their learning and professional lives; and behave ethically and sustainably in their professional and personal lives. UC graduates are lifelong learners: Reflect on their own practice, updating and adapting their knowledge and skills for continual professional and academic development; be self-aware; and adapt to complexity, ambiguity and change by being flexible and keen to engage with new ideas. UC graduates are able to demonstrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ways of knowing, being and doing: Use local Indigenous histories and traditional ecological knowledge to develop and augment understanding of their discipline; communicate and engage with Indigenous Australians in ethical and culturally respectful ways; and apply their knowledge to working with Indigenous Australians in socially just ways.
Demonstrate collaborative skills and initiative.	UC graduates are professional: Employ up-to-date and relevant knowledge and skills; work collaboratively as part of a team, negotiate, and resolve conflict; display initiative and drive, and use their organisational skills to plan and manage their workload; and take pride in their professional and personal integrity. UC graduates are global citizens: Think globally about issues in their profession; communicate effectively in diverse cultural and social settings; make creative use of technology in their learning and professional lives; and behave ethically and sustainably in their professional and personal lives. UC graduates are lifelong learners: Reflect on their own practice, updating and adapting their knowledge and skills for continual professional and academic development; be self-aware; and adapt to complexity, ambiguity and change by being flexible and keen to engage with new ideas.
Demonstrate ethical awareness and professional conduct in the context of the counselling profession and its obligations to diversity, communities and society.	UC graduates are professional: Employ up-to-date and relevant knowledge and skills; communicate effectively; use creativity, critical thinking, analysis and research skills to solve theoretical and real-world problems; work collaboratively as part of a team, negotiate, and resolve conflict; display initiative and drive, and use their organisational skills to plan and manage their workload; and take pride in their professional and personal integrity. UC graduates are global citizens: Think globally about issues in their profession; adopt an informed and balanced approach across professional and international boundaries; understand issues in their profession from the perspective of other cultures; communicate effectively in diverse cultural and social settings; make creative use of technology in their learning and professional lives; and behave ethically and sustainably in their professional and personal lives. UC graduates are lifelong learners: Reflect on their own practice, updating and adapting their knowledge and skills for continual professional and academic development; be self-aware; and adapt to complexity, ambiguity and change by being flexible and keen to engage with new ideas. UC graduates are able to demonstrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ways of knowing, being and doing: Use local Indigenous histories and traditional ecological knowledge to develop and augment understanding of their discipline; communicate and engage with Indigenous Australians in ethical and culturally respectful ways; and apply their knowledge to working with Indigenous Australians in socially just ways.

Professional accreditation

The course is recognised as a professional qualification in counselling and accredited by the Australian Counselling Association (ACA), in line with their Professional Training Standards.

Fees

• Per Unit: $3,562.5 (2026), $3,412.5 (2025)
• Per Annum:
• Full Course:
• AQF level: 8

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.

Delivery mode

• Blended: Mixture of online and on campus units are available.
• On campus: Units are delivered on campus.
• Online: All units are online.
• Online Plus: Units are available online, except where attendance at a physical location is required for placement or professional accreditation.

Location

All course material is developed and delivered via the location listed. Online units do not require on campus attendance.

Selection rank

The selection rank is the minimum ATAR plus adjustment factors required for admission to the program in the previous year. This is an indicative guide only as ranks change each year depending on demand.

Typical study pattern

The standard duration for this course is 1 year and 5 months (8 Study Blocks). The maximum duration is 4 years from date of enrolment to date of course completion.