Bachelor of Counselling

Upon completion of this course, graduates will be able to:

1. demonstrate a broad and coherent understanding of evidence-based theoretical frameworks and interventions to meet clients’ individual and specific needs;
2. articulate and exhibit advanced interpersonal communication and counselling skills essential for building collaborative relationships;
3. apply an evidence-informed approach to, and understanding of, assessment case conceptualisation, intervention and evaluation, integrating theoretical and practical counselling skills;
4. implement cultural safety and cultural competency frameworks within an Australian counselling context;
5. establish and maintain professional and ethical boundaries while working with clients, engaging with supervisors, and collaborating with peers, both face-to-face and online. This includes demonstrating an understanding of, and ability to, respond to changes to relevant legislation or codes of conduct; and
6. engage in critical thinking and self-reflexivity, to understand the relationship between theory and practice, and how this is applied to their own practice.

The Bachelor of Counselling at UNE is informed and underpinned by Humanistic and Existential counselling philosophies which deal with questions of meaning and freedom, grapple with what it means to be human and emphasise the value of individual and collective agency. Humanistic counselling approaches offer a way of 'being' in the world and a focus on the person rather than the symptoms. Humanistic approaches require a commitment on the part of the counsellor to self-knowledge and, at the same time, to the understanding that this self-knowledge is never fully attained. This requires a degree of emotional and psychological agility. Your success in this award will be strongly linked to your willingness to engage in supported, self-directed and reflexive learning; to connect with others, and to explore what emerges during these connections. 

Our Bachelor of Counselling is designed to equip you with the practical skills and real-world experience needed to make a meaningful difference in people's lives. When studying this course, you will:

• Develop a strong foundation in cutting-edge counselling theories and practices, alongside the emotional and psychological agility needed to excel.
• Start networking in the industry early. While undertaking this course you can apply for student membership with the Australian Counselling Association (ACA). When you graduate you will be eligible to become a registered counsellor with the ACA, and if you continue with ongoing professional development after graduation you’ll be eligible to be listed on the Australian Register of Counsellors and Psychotherapists (ARCAP).
• Enjoy flexible study. This course is available online, allowing you to fit study around your busy lifestyle, not the other way around, no matter where you are in the world. Study full-time or part-time, and move between the two as your circumstances change.

Recommended study pattern

Complete 23 units (144 credit points).

Award requirements

Candidates who meet the course requirements shall be awarded the Bachelor of Counselling.

Exit points

Candidates who apply to discontinue their studies in the course may be eligible to exit with the Undergraduate Certificate in Health and Social Care on completion of HLTH101, HLTH102, HLTH103 and HLTH104.

Candidates who apply to discontinue their studies in the course may be eligible to exit with the Diploma in Health and Social Care (Counselling) on completion of HSCS100, HSCS101, HSCS102, HSCS103, HSCS200, WRIT101 and 12 credit points from HLTH101, HLTH102, HLTH103 and HLTH104.

Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation. You will not pay any fees for using our services.

Indicative total fee $28,512

The amounts shown here are indicative for an Australian citizen studying full-time, which is typically 8 subjects per year.

Fees may vary depending on:

• the subjects you choose
• credit from previous work experience
• your eligibility for government funding loans or subsidies such as HECS-HELP or a Commonwealth supported place.

To learn more, go to Fees or contact a student advisor.

The University of New England is the only Australian public university to be awarded the maximum 5 stars for Overall Experience by the Good Universities Guide, 13 years in a row. UNE has delivered distance education since 1955—that’s longer than any other Australian university. Perhaps that’s why students continue to rate UNE so highly for student satisfaction and teaching quality. With over 170 degrees offered online, and more than 22,000 students, UNE is an expert in online education.

Learn more about UNE.

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QS World University Ranking 2026, within Australia:

35

You can apply for this course if you have completed a Bachelor qualification (AQF Level 7 or overseas equivalent) in any discipline.

OR You have undertaken any of the following qualifications with an appropriate Grade Point Average (GPA):

• Undergraduate Certificates
• Diplomas
• Advanced Diplomas/Associate degrees
• Bachelor degrees 
• Postgraduate degrees

You can apply if you are currently studying Year 12 (school or TAFE) or have done so within the past 2 years. You must also meet the guaranteed ATAR of 65.

You can apply for this course if you have undertaken VET studies. When assessing your application, we will look at the following factors:

• Level and type of qualification (Certificate III or above)
• Graded or ungraded (competency-based)
• Complete or incomplete.

You can apply for this course on the basis of work and/or life experience via at least one of the following methods:

Professional Experience

If you have completed at least one year of paid professional experience, we can assess you for admission on this basis. Simply provide a resume and a Statement of Service from your employer/s in your application.

Mature Age Special Entry

Tell us more about your work and life experience, demonstrating why you believe you will be successful in the course you are applying for. Simply complete the Mature Age Special Entry form and upload it in your application.

Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)

The STAT is a test that assesses a range of competencies considered important for successful tertiary study. UNE accepts the multiple-choice component provided you have completed it within the three years prior to course commencement.

If you are admitted into this course and believe you have already completed the equivalent of one or more of the units in your Course Structure (Program of Study) within the last ten years, you can apply for Individual Unit Advanced Standing. If you are admitted to the course, you can apply for up to 96 credit points of Advanced Standing.

360 hours of professional fieldwork placement, with 120 hours completed in Year 2 and 240 hours completed in Year 3 of the Course.