Graduate Certificate in Education (Career Development and Counselling)

Graduates will build active listening, empathy and communication skills; learn how to guide clients through the process of identifying goals, exploring options and creating actionable plans; develop skills to understand and address the needs of clients from diverse cultural backgrounds; and gain keen insights into local, national and global labour markets.

Skills and tools in this course

1. Career planning and goal setting.
2. Career education program development.
3. Relationship building and communication.
4. Understanding diverse client groups.
5. Advanced discipline-specific knowledge related to professional educational practice.
6. Reflect on and analyse your own practice to improve knowledge and skills.
7. Labour market expertise.
8. Career counselling skills.

The need for high-quality career guidance has never been greater. Recognising this, the Department of Education and Training’s National Career Education Strategy emphasises that every Australian student should have access to high-quality career education from primary school onwards. Similarly, businesses and industries emphasise supporting employees in anticipating and managing workplace and job market shifts.

The Graduate Certificate in Education (Career Development and Counselling) empowers you to be at the forefront of this vital field. Gain an in-depth understanding of the dynamic world of work and equip yourself with up-to-date knowledge of career theory, processes, and best practices. Develop the essential skills to build strong relationships with students or clients, guiding them through the intricate pathways connecting their aspirations to fulfilling careers.

The Career Industry Council of Australia (CICA) has endorsed the Graduate Certificate in Education (Career Development and Counselling) delivered by QUT as meeting the Professional Standards for Australian Career Development Practitioners until April 2026. 

This course is not an Initial Teacher Education (ITE) course and does not qualify graduates for teacher registration in Australia.

Recommended study pattern

Students must complete a total of 48 credit points.

Core units:

Counselling Skills and Contexts (EUQ670)

Evolving Perspectives in Career Development (EUQ671)

Career Development Programs (EUQ672)

Career Counselling (EUQ673).

Award requirements

To qualify for the award of the Graduate Certificate in Education (Career Development and Counselling), students must complete a total of 48 credit points.

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

Indicative total fee $2,400

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.

QUT Online is a leading Australian university known for practical, real-world learning, strong industry connections, and global recognition. QUT equips students with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to make an impact in their careers and communities. Wherever you are, through Open Universities Australia, you can study flexible online programs. You’ll earn a respected qualification, gain career-ready skills, and benefit from a university experience that combines academic excellence with practical, real-world applications.

Learn more about Queensland University of Technology.

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QS World University Ranking 2026, within Australia:

15

Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2026, within Australia:

12

• A completed and recognised bachelor degree (or higher qualification) in any discipline; or
• A completed recognised diploma in a relevant area, with at least two years (full-time or equivalent) professional work experience in a relevant area.

Relevant work experience

• Teacher/educator/academic working in any formal education setting (i.e., early childhood,

schools, special education, adult education, VET, and higher-education) or any education focussed role in other organisations or groups.

• People working in education-support roles in any formal or informal education setting (e.g.,

teacher aide, counselling, community education counsellors, youth/social worker, educational

psychologist, chaplain, academic advisors, school nurse, school police officer).

• People working education-focussed roles in other organisations, services or groups (e.g.,

learning design, curriculum design and development, language and numeracy education,

workplace and organisational learning/training, community and public education/training,

education project management, educational research, private tutors).

• People working in education administration, leadership and management, policy or

governance, and educational consulting (e.g., education departments, related statutory

authorities, related professional associations, international agents, international education

professionals).

For reference, individuals with qualifications or experience in the following fields may be involved in contemporary educational work.

• Teaching or education (including, education qualifications related to early childhood, primary

to secondary schooling, higher education, training and development, applied learning, adult

learning, community learning).

• Learning management/learning design (i.e. learning design similar qualifications)

• Career development and/or counselling

• Languages/linguistics

• Psychology/educational psychology/organisational psychology

• Sociology

• Allied health professionals (speech pathologists, occupational therapists, physiotherapists)

• School based nursing (i.e. Nursing qualification)

• School based policing (i.e. Policing qualification)

• Business/commerce

• Arts (e.g. social sciences, humanities, animation/interactive media)

• Media/communication

• Human resources, management, and IT.

Five years (full-time or equivalent) professional experience in a relevant area.