CourseFinder helps you discover and enroll in top courses from Australia’s leading providers, making it easy to kick-start or continue your career journey.
Follow Us
© 2026 CourseFinder Australia Pty Ltd, All Rights Reserved
CourseFinder helps you discover and enroll in top courses from Australia’s leading providers, making it easy to kick-start or continue your career journey.
Follow Us
© 2026 CourseFinder Australia Pty Ltd, All Rights Reserved
On this page
What is a Rehabilitation Counsellor?
What will I do?
What skills do I need?
Resources
A Rehabilitation Counsellor helps people with physical, mental, or social challenges get back into work and community life. They build tailored plans, provide counselling, and connect clients with the support they need to move forward.
The role is hands-on and varied. Rehabilitation Counsellors assess each client’s needs and goals, then develop a personalised plan. They work alongside doctors, occupational therapists, employers, and community organisations to build a strong support network for every client.
Day-to-day tasks include one-on-one counselling sessions, checking progress, adjusting plans, and helping clients build job skills. Rehabilitation Counsellors also advocate for their clients in the workplace, making sure they get fair access to support and adjustments.
The average salary is around $77,000 a year (source: PayScale, 2025), with senior roles reaching $100,000 or more. It is a rewarding career for people who want to create real change in others’ lives.
Rehabilitation Counsellors need a mix of people skills and professional knowledge to do their job well. Good communication and active listening are at the core. Clients need to feel heard and understood before they can work on change.
Problem-solving is just as important. Every client’s situation is different, so Rehabilitation Counsellors must think on their feet and adjust their plans as progress unfolds. Cultural competence is also key, since clients come from all walks of life. A relevant bachelor’s degree provides the clinical foundation, while ongoing professional development keeps skills sharp.
NATIONAL
VIC
WA
SA
NT
ACT
CourseFinder makes every effort to ensure the information we provide is correct at the time of publication. We welcome your input to help keep our career profiles as accurate and up to date as possible. All queries and feedback will be taken into consideration as we conduct periodic reviews of our content. Add your voice to the conversation!
Laura Atkinson is an Account Management and SEM specialist at Course Finder Group with six years' experience in the Australian education sector. She works day to day with universities, TAFEs and independent training providers, which gives her a close view of how courses map to real career outcomes. She writes practical guidance on career pathways, choosing the right qualification and what to expect when moving into a new field.
