Overview (2027)
Key Information
Duration
Minimum 1 Year, up to a maximum of 3 years.
Location
Duration
Minimum 1 year, up to a maximum of 3 years.
Location
The Graduate Certificate of Counselling is designed to train graduates who will be able to address the mental health needs of Tasmania and beyond.
This course equips students with fundamental knowledge and skills in counselling, together with an understanding of the ethical, legal and professional issues in relation to the practice of counselling required for employment in a range of counselling roles.
The course is also a professional development opportunity for people already working in counselling roles within their workplace.
Students will develop an understanding of the social, cultural and developmental context in which counselling occurs and of a range of therapeutic approaches and appropriate to a range of client ages, needs and circumstances. The course also aims to provide professional development opportunities for people working in counselling roles.
Are you curious about where your studies in Psychology and Counselling could take you next?
View the webinar to discover pathways for further study and professional development. Whether you're aiming to become a school counsellor, clinical psychologist, or simply want to enhance your counselling skills, this will answer your questions.
You'll learn more about your pathways into studying Psychology and Counselling. Covering course information and entry requirements for:
- Bachelor of Psychological Sciences (Honours)
- Master of Professional Psychology
- Master of Psychology (Clinical)
- Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma of Counselling
- 1 Apply counselling specific knowledge and skills to address different client presentations in a variety of individual contexts and settings.
- 2 Apply reflective practice skills to maintain facilitative counselling relationships in a range of professional practice contexts
- 3 Use theory and evidence to develop individualised counselling treatment approaches.
- 4 Apply knowledge of relevant codes of conduct, self-reflection, critical thinking skills and professional standards of workplace practice in consultation with professional bodies and supervisors to constructively critique one’s own counselling performance.
Students apply reflective practice and ethical and professional codes of conduct to a range of professional practice contexts, including conflict management, loss, grief and trauma.
Students apply reflective practice and ethical and professional codes of conduct to a range of professional practice contexts, including conflict management, loss, grief and trauma.
Students will develop knowledge and professional skills to improve wellbeing in others with a professional counsellor role, and also personally through self-reflection and competency development.
There are no work-place based components in this course
Career outcomes
The Graduate Certificate of Counselling equips students planning to work in counselling roles with the fundamental counselling skills and knowledge to work as counsellors, pastoral care personnel, and in roles in which interpersonal counselling skills enhance their ability to undertake their primary work role (e.g. nursing, teaching, etc.)
Counselling graduates work in a wide range of settings including relationship counselling organisations, secondary and post-secondary education, community welfare centres, drug and alcohol agencies, church agencies, and private practice. Other graduates utilise their counselling skills in their existing employment. You might also find employment in Crisis & Trauma counselling, EAP services, Career counselling / Employment Services, Disability, Aged Care, Justice / Community Corrections, Child & Adolescent services.
Course structure
Students must complete 50 credit points consisting of 4 core units (4 x 12.5 CP).
On successfully completing this subject, you will be able to use practical skills for more effective interpersonal communication, as well as basic counselling skills. This unit examines styles of counselling with integration of theories of counselling with its practice. The…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Online | Semester 1 |  |  |  | |
- Key:
On-campus- Off-Campus
- International students
- Domestic students
In this unit you will learn to apply advanced counselling skills, including working with a range of client presentations and intervention strategies. You will gain skills and knowledge to help you navigate the stages of therapy, beginning with the intake…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Online | Semester 2 | | | | |
- Key:
- On-campus
- Off-Campus
- International students
- Domestic students
In this unit participants develop and clarify their awareness and thinking around ethical and practice dilemmas within professional counselling practice. Emphasis will be placed on the development of personal standards of practice and on the acquisition and application of decision-making…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Online | Semester 1 | | | | |
- Key:
- On-campus
- Off-Campus
- International students
- Domestic students
View all details for KHA505 Professional Ethics and Practice
This unit explores current thinking and strategies around dealing with issues of adjustment to change. That change includes changes involving loss, grief and trauma. Death and bereavement will be addressed including dealing with grief as a natural process and with…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Online | Semester 2 | | | | |
- Key:
- On-campus
- Off-Campus
- International students
- Domestic students
Entry requirements
Applicants must have:
- a degree with a major in psychology, behavioural or psychological science; or
- a degree in an affiliated area of human services, such as education, social work, law or nursing; or
- other equivalent qualifications or combination of qualifications which required at least three years of full-time tertiary study, or is deemed equivalent by the College of Health and Medicine.
Applicants must have:
- a degree with a major in psychology, behavioural or psychological science,
- or a degree in an affiliated area of human services, such as education, social work, law or nursing
- or other equivalent qualifications or combination of qualifications which required at least three years of full-time tertiary study or is deemed equivalent by the College of Health and Medicine
Evidence of an approved English language test from one of the following tests completed within the last 2 years must be provided:
- IELTS (Academic) 6.5 (no individual band less than 6.5)
- TOEFL (iBT) 88 (no skill below: Reading 21; Listening 21; Speaking 21; Writing 25)
- PTE Academic 58 with no score lower than 58
Applications for credit can be made in your course application. Find out more information about how to apply for a credit transfer/advanced standing at Recognition of Prior Learning.
Talk to us on 13 8827 or enquire online about your credit transfer.
Graduates from M5I Graduate Certificate of Counselling are eligible to apply for entry to the Graduate Diploma in Counselling (M6I) and receive course credit for 50 credit points.
Fees & scholarships
Domestic students
Commonwealth supported places (CSP) are available for this course. For eligible domestic students, this means your fees will be subsidised by the Australian Government. You’ll only need to pay the student contribution amount for each unit you study within the course.
Commonwealth Supported Place indicative annual fee: $4,768
How is this calculated?
This is an estimate. The calculation is based on the average part-time enrolment for this course in 2026. All figures are indicative only for 2027. Actual tuition fees will depend on specific unit enrolment, and are subject to annual increases each year. You can find the complete fee details for each unit of study on the individual unit pages. The units for this course are found in the course structure section of this page.
These figures do not include other costs such as the Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF). For further information, please visit Scholarships, fees and costs.
HECS-HELP loans
You may be able to defer payment of the student contribution amount by accessing a HECS-HELP loan from the Government. If eligible, you’ll only have to pay your tuition fees once you start earning above a specific amount.
Further information on student loans and a CSP eligibility checker can be found at Australian Government Study Assist.
International students
2027 annual international student tuition fee: $20,975 AUD
The standard year of study for this course is 50 credit points.
Indicative total tuition fee for international students: $ 20,975 AUD.
This total tuition fee is indicative only. Please visit fees and costs for further information on how this is calculated.
International students are charged the Student Services and Amenities Fee but this fee is incorporated in the annual rate. International students do not have to make any additional SSAF payments.
Domestic scholarships
Each year the University of Tasmania administers an estimated $7 million in scholarships to students from all walks of life, including those who have achieved high academic results; those from low socio-economic backgrounds; students with sporting ability; students undertaking overseas study; and students with a disability.
Applications for most awards commencing in Semester 1 open at the beginning of August and close strictly on 31 October in the year prior.
For more information on scholarships and to view the full range of scholarships available to you, head to the Scholarships website.
Additional costs
In addition to course costs, students may be subject to other costs related to study at university including:
- Text books and stationery
- Accommodation
- Student Services and Amenities Fee
Course year 2027
Share this page
How can we help?
Do you have any questions about choosing a course or applying? Get in touch.