Diploma of Counselling
UndergraduateTAS-COU-DIP2025
Enhance wellbeing in yourself and others
Gain an introduction to a range of topics including mental health, the impact of chronic health conditions on quality of life, mental health first aid, and applied counselling skills.
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Applications close
- 13 July 2025
- Credit available
- Yes
- Duration
- 5 years part time
- Total subjects
- 8
- Available loans
- Australian Higher Education Loan Program (HELP)
- CSP available
- Yes
Diploma of Counselling
About this degree
Upon successful completion of this program, students should be able to:
- Apply foundational counselling skills to a variety of contexts.
- Explain factors contributing to human wellbeing and distress through reference to counselling theories and research evidence.
- Apply appropriate knowledge of ethical and professional standards relevant to the practice of counselling across different contexts.
The Diploma of Counselling is an introductory program that provides graduates with the skillset to understand human behaviour.
Students explore a range of topics including mental health, the impact of chronic health conditions on quality of life, foundational mental health intervention skills, and applied counselling skills. Studies will focus on adopting healthy thoughts and behaviours as part of a self-care approach, introducing you to a range of skills to manage stress and enhance well-being of yourself and others through lifestyle, mindfulness, and positive psychology.
Students undertake the Diploma of Counselling for a variety of reasons, as a complimentary skillset to support their existing career, people managers looking to support their staff, and to build understanding in mental health to support self and others.
If you are interested in further study, you can progress with credit into the Bachelor of Psychological Science to continue your journey in the study of psychology and counselling.
Alternatively, if you are interested in becoming a qualified counsellor you will need to complete the Graduate Diploma of Counselling where you’ll be eligible to register with the Australian Counselling Association.
Recommended study pattern
The course is only available for part-time study.
The following study plan is recommended for students beginning in Semester 1 (February):
Year 1. 4 subjects in the first year including:
- TAS-PSY111 Transferable Skills in Psychology (Semester 1)
- TAS-PSY235 Counselling Fundamentals (Semester 1)
- TAS-PSY114 Stress, Self-Care and Mindfulness (Semester 2)
- TAS-PSY124 Mental Health and Individual Differences (Semester 2)
Year 2. 4 subjects in the second year including:
- TAS-PSY223 Health and Psychological Wellbeing (Semester 1)
- TAS-PSY303 Mental Health Intervention Skills (Semester 1)
- TAS-PSY201 Contemporary Approaches in Counselling (Semester 2)
- TAS-PSY305 Clinical Psychology (Semester 2)
The following study plan is recommended for students beginning in Semester 2 (July):
Year 1. 4 subjects in the first year including:
- TAS-PSY114 Stress, Self-Care and Mindfulness (Semester 2)
- TAS-PSY124 Mental Health and Individual Differences (Semester 2)
- TAS-PSY111 Transferable Skills in Psychology (Semester 1)
- TAS-PSY223 Health and Psychological Wellbeing (Semester 1)
Year 2. 4 subjects in the second year including:
- TAS-PSY201 Contemporary Approaches in Counselling (Semester 2)
- TAS-PSY305 Clinical Psychology (Semester 2)
- TAS-PSY235 Counselling Fundamentals (Semester 1)
- TAS-PSY303 Mental Health Intervention Skills (Semester 1)
Award requirements
Satisfactory completion of 8 subjects, as required in the schedule, within 2-5 years from commencement.
Degrees are usually made up of core subjects and electives. Some degrees include a choice of majors, so you can focus your studies on a specialisation.
This list is a general overview. Download the full Degree Guide for more information.
Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation. You will not pay any fees for using our services.
Indicative total fee $15,080
The amount shown here is 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.
Wherever you are, the University of Tasmania brings its island campus to you through a growing range of online programs across art and design, business, education, health, science, sustainability, technology, and more. It’s never too late to switch things up. Kickstart that career you’ve been dreaming about, or upskill for the one you’re in. You’ll also become a part of the world's leading university on climate action.
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- QS World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:
- 20
- Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:
- 19
Entry requirements
Partially completed an undergraduate course (or equivalent). Applicants must have completed at least two subjects of study (equivalent to 25 UTAS credit points). If an applicant has failed any subjects the application may be subject to further review before an offer is made.
Successful completion of any 2 OUA open access subjects of study at the equivalent AQF level, unless otherwise specified.
Completed Tasmanian Certificate of Education (TCE) or equivalent
Certificate III or higher, in any discipline.
Applicants without senior secondary, tertiary or VET / TAFE study can complete a personal competency statement. Applicants may be eligible for an offer if they have relevant work and/or life experiences which demonstrate a capacity to succeed in this course.
The University of Tasmania grants credit and recognition of prior learning that may include formal and/or informal prior learning. More information is available here.
Career opportunities
Graduating from the Diploma of Counselling can lead, with further study, to a rewarding career helping others work through emotional, mental health and lifestyle concerns. This degree opens up opportunities to work across a variety of health care settings including:
- Drug and alcohol counselling
- Family and marriage counselling
- Youth counselling
- Suicide and grief counselling
- Online and telephone counselling
This program can also be your pathway into the UTAS Bachelor of Psychological Science.
Australian job snapshots
Data sourced from Australian Jobs 2023.
| Role | Earnings | Employment change |
|---|---|---|
| Careers Counsellors | $75K to $93K | N/A^ |
| Counsellors | $75K to $93K | Up 12.6% |
| Health and Welfare Services Managers | Over $120K | Up 56.6% |
| Social Workers | $75K to $93K | Up 29.8% |
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Degree FAQs
How long does it take to finish an online degree?
That's up to you! Because we let you choose when to study online, you can actually pick up and pause study when it suits you. Many universities have a set time you need to complete your degree within. For some this is up to 10 years, and for others there is no limit.
There are some degrees that are stricter about when you can take breaks, and about how many years you can take to complete your degree. Please always check with your uni what the limits are.
As a general guide, Commonwealth supported place students have 10 years to finish their undergraduate degree through OUA, However, if you're studying with Griffith University, there's a limit of 8 years to complete your studies. If you want to take a break that lasts more than two study terms, you'll need to apply for a leave of absence. You can apply for a leave of absence for up to 12 months, as long as you complete your studies within the maximum time allowed for your degree.
If you're studying with Macquarie University, with the exception of certain degrees, there's no limit to how long you can take. But, please check with Macquarie Student Administration to be sure.
If you're studying with the University of Adelaide, you have up to 9 years to complete your undergraduate degree and graduate.
If you're studying with La Trobe University and want to take a break of minimum 1 study term, you must apply for leave of absence to avoid being inadvertently withdrawn from your degree.
Through OUA, you can study all year round, so it's possible to fast-track and finish up sooner than studying at a traditional uni would allow. That said, you need to spend around 12 hours a week on each undergraduate subject you do, so taking on extra work to finish ahead of time can be challenging.
How can I pay for my studies?
You may be eligible for a HELP loan from the Australian government, depending on your citizenship status and where you'll be living during your studies. You can also pay upfront with your credit card.
Payment options are explained in Fees, and you can contact a student advisor for more information.
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