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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
Counselling
Career Outcomes
Case Worker
Counsellor
Youth Counsellor
View All
Study Mode
Online
Awarded by
Open Colleges (RTO: 90796)
Qualification
Diploma
Course Fee
Price may vary
Duration
Up to 24 months
Start Date
Start Anytime
Payment Option
Fee For Service
Payment plan
Upfront payment
On this page:
In a nutshell
What you'll need to get it
Subject breakdown
Why Open Colleges ?
Where will this course take you?
Career outcomes
Let's talk price
This course meets the Nationally Recognised Training standards. It is listed on the Australian government's National Register for Vocational Education and Training (VET). Studying this course leads to a qualification that's recognised throughout Australia, and lets employers know that you have the right skills for the job.
The CHC51015 Diploma of Counselling, offered by Open Colleges, is a nationally recognised qualification designed for those who want to build a meaningful career supporting others. Delivered entirely online, the course allows students to study at their own pace with no set semester dates, making it well suited to people balancing work, family, or other commitments. Assessments are practical and skills-based with no exams, and students are guided by industry-experienced trainers, including registered clinical counsellors with real-world practice backgrounds.
The course covers a broad range of learning areas that form the foundation of professional counselling practice. Students develop specialist interpersonal and interviewing skills, explore personality and human development theories, and learn how to select and apply a range of counselling therapies. The curriculum also addresses working with people experiencing mental health challenges, loss and grief, domestic and family violence, crisis situations, and problem gambling. Cultural safety, including respectful practice with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, is woven throughout, as is a strong focus on legal and ethical responsibilities.
It is worth noting that the counselling profession in Australia remains self-regulated, and this diploma provides an entry-level foundation rather than a direct pathway to independent practice. Enquire to learn more about whether this course is the right fit.
160 hours of work placement is required to complete this course, made easy with Open Colleges’ Guaranteed Work Placement initiative. In partnership with leading provider SkilTrak, Open Colleges organises your work placement for you while you focus on study, ensuring students gain real-world experience in their dream career, close to home.
Please note: This is a fee-for-service course. It is not government funded.
In this CHC51015 Diploma of Counselling course, the subjects you may study include:
Upon successful completion of this course you will receive a Diploma from Open Colleges.
The nationally recognised CHC51015 Diploma of Counselling equips graduates with the practical skills needed to pursue entry-level roles as a counsellor or case worker across a range of community, health, and support settings. The course covers counselling techniques, interpersonal communication, crisis response, and working with people experiencing mental health challenges, domestic and family violence, grief, and problem gambling. Graduates are prepared to work in not-for-profit organisations, community services, and support agencies.
It is worth noting that the counselling profession in Australia remains self-regulated, and this diploma does not automatically confer registration with major bodies such as the Australian Counselling Association (ACA) or PACFA. Graduates may be eligible for membership with other associations, such as ACCA or VMPHAA, depending on each organisation’s criteria. For those wishing to progress further, such as into private practice or school counselling roles, further study at bachelor level is generally recommended. This diploma provides a solid foundation from which to build a rewarding career in counselling and related community services.
This course offers payment plan options to help you manage costs while you study. Enquire now for more details!
Open Colleges offers flexible payment models to help make studying more affordable.
PLEASE NOTE: Open Colleges is a privately-run RTO, not government-run like a TAFE, so they cannot offer government funding.
Find out if this course is right for you
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