Diploma of Counselling and Communication Skills

What is a Diploma of Counselling and Communication Skills?

The Diploma of Counselling and Communication Skills builds a foundation of key counselling and communication skills through a combination of theoretical and practical components. Upon completion, you’ll have the opportunity to build a career in the industry or enrol in the Bachelor of Counselling and receive credit from this counselling diploma.

This course offers the theoretical knowledge and practical skills needed for a career in the community sector. You’ll develop an understanding of human behaviour at different stages, behavioural problems and strategies for positive behaviour management, and the impact of society and culture. You'll learn how to critically review a range of theories in counselling and relate them to issues in practice, take an ethical approach to counselling and develop skills to assess, manage and refer clients accordingly.

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Learning outcomes

Explore an array of theoretical perspectives on counselling and discover the drivers for human behaviour.
Learn how to evaluate different situations to determine your best approach.
Study the core principles of case management.
Understand common mental health conditions, behaviours and thought patterns.

ARCAP professional registration access

Upon completion, you’re eligible to join the Australian Register of Counsellors & Psychotherapists.

Download course guide Start online application

Study mode

Online

Campus locations

Online

Student

Domestic

Course duration

1 year full time, part-time options available

Start date

20 Feb 2023

19 Jun 2023

View all key dates

Fees

View Fees

This is an AQF Level 5 course delivered by Torrens University Australia Ltd.

Ultimate flexibility

With the option to study full or part time and all your course materials online, you can tailor your study to suit your lifestyle.

Learn from specialists in their field

Our academics understand where the industry is heading and will guide you on your learning journey.

Tap into our knowledge

Our heritage with the Jansen Newman Institute ensures you’re learning from more than 40 years of counselling experience.

When you study with us, you’ll get hands-on practical experience in world-class clinics making a difference to real patients.

Career opportunities

This course will prepare you with the skills to enter a successful career in corporate health or aged care, or to further your study in health at bachelor’s level.

Potential career paths

Family Services Worker
Average salary: $66,000 - $102,000
Disability Support Manager
Average salary: $81,596-$128,133
Health Promotion Officer
Average salary: $77,000 - $100,000

Learn more about careers in Health

Subjects and units

Each subject involves 10 hours of study per week, comprising 3 hours of facilitated study and 7 hours self-directed study.

Requirements

These eight core subjects must be completed.

Core subjects

Social and Emotional Wellbeing | HWEL2006

This subject covers the principles of social, emotional and psychological health, as well as how they relate to health behaviours. You will analyse the role of capacity building and the promotion of wellbeing through mindfulness, positive behavioural change and resilience.
Counselling & Communication Skills | CCS103

Counselling & Communication Skills encompasses counselling skills commonly needed by health professionals for effective communication. This subject comprises a practical approach to a variety of communication skills and best practice strategies including promoting change, compliance, obstacles to change, transition and self-care. Sessions facilitate the development of effective listening and responding skills, increased personal awareness and insight in order to assist the building of a professional relationship for interactions with clients, colleagues and members of the community.
Mental Health in the Community (F2F & Online) | MHC108

This subject provides students with basic understanding of mental health. It includes definitions of mental health, mental health theories, risk factors and disorders. The impact of mental illness in the community, and particularly on individual.
Introduction to Social and Psycho-educational Theories (F2F & Online) | ISP102

In this subject, students are introduced to social and psycho-educational theories that will allow them to understand human practices, identities and social, psycho-educational structures.
Case Management and Ethical Principles (F2F & Online) | CMP105

This subject examines the practice and skills required for case management and program development community services. The subject includes an overview of the theory and practice of program planning, development and evaluation using case studies that address the complex and varied needs of clients.
Human Development Across the Lifespan (F2F & Online) | COU103A

This subject introduces students to the field of developmental psychology and explores what drives or motivates human behaviour throughout their life from birth to death.
Applied Counselling (F2F & Online) | COU104A

The subject provides students with an opportunity to develop their counselling skills in an interactive and supportive learning environment with feedback from others. The interrelationships between counselling theories and models and skills are explored. The focus is on counselling and communication skills from empathy to listening skills and reflection. Attendance at a two-day on-campus weekend workshop is required for all online students.
Professional Practice (F2F & Online) | PFP107

This subject includes 120 hrs of industry placement

Industry partners and work placements

Students are eligible to join the Australian Register of Counsellors and Psychotherapists (RCAP). Work-Integrated Learning and Clinical Practicum Experience are embedded throughout the course and are incorporated into theory subjects.

Work placement hours

During your degree, you’ll undertake 120 hours clinical experience at an external organisation.

Entry details

Fees

Check the domestic course fee schedule for the cost of your course.

FEE-HELP

Eligible Australian students may choose to defer some, or all, of their tuition fees through FEE-HELP, a loan scheme repaid through the tax system based on income.

Learn more about fees and FEE-HELP

Scholarships

If you are truly passionate about health, we want to hear from you. We have a variety of health scholarships on offer to assist you in becoming a key part of the health industry:

Admission criteria

Before you begin your application to study as a domestic student, check that you meet the requirements listed below.

Year 12 (Australian secondary school certificate) or equivalent

Vocational qualification (AQF Level 4), or above

OR

Successful completion of a Higher Education qualification.

View full course admission information

Guaranteed pathway and Recognition of Prior Learning

If you have already completed a qualification you may be able to credit this against your degree with us, even if it’s from another institution. This is called Recognition of Prior Learning. We also offer pathway opportunities to further your learning.

Learn more about study pathways

Frequently asked questions

How do I apply for a course?

Domestic students:
Check the entry requirements for the course you’re interested in and submit your initial application form online to begin your journey at Torrens University Australia.

If you have any difficulty, please contact our Future Student Advisors, who can talk you through the process.

ALL SA/SACE and Victorian high school students must apply through SATAC and/or VTAC. Search for Torrens University Australia, Billy Blue College of Design or Blue Mountains International Hotel Management School.

International students:
If you are an international student hoping to begin your studies in Australia, study online, or transfer from another university, you may choose to do so through our Education Agents. Our agents are located throughout the world and will make sure the enrolment process runs smoothly. View the full list of International Education Agents. You can also apply online. For anything else, please contact our International team.
Can I get course credit for previous experience?

Yes, course credit is available for most courses upon application and academic approval (excluding Higher Degree by Research programs). 

If you have already completed a qualification or have relevant work experience, you may be eligible for credit towards your course. This credit can take the form of credit transfer, block credit or Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). Review our Course Credits page or chat to our Future Student Advisors.
What are Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and Credit Transfer (CT)? How do I apply?

Recognition of Prior Learning is an assessment process that recognises experience, previous study and qualifications, and other forms of informal and non-formal learning, to determine if you meet course requirements.

If you have relevant qualifications or experience, you may be eligible for credit towards your course and a reduction in tuition costs.

Please speak to our Future Student Advisors to discuss your prior learning experiences.

For more information, please visit Course credits.
How do I apply for a scholarship?

Torrens University has a wide range of scholarship options to support new, returning, international and Australian students. They all include a reduction in tuition fees, and some scholarships include a mentoring component with our industry partners.

Domestic students

When you speak to our Future Student Advisors, let them know you wish to be considered for a scholarship in your application form. They will show you how to apply for a scholarship.

International students

Please contact your Education Agent for further information. Alternatively, you can call us on 1300 575 803 or by email.

For more details, explore our range of scholarships.

What are Torrens University Australia’s ATAR requirements for domestic students?

Torrens University Australia no longer considers ATAR (Australian Tertiary Admission Rank) as our primary entry requirement. We have removed ATAR as the key admissions criteria for applicants aiming to study at Torrens University Australia. We strongly believed an alternative to the ATAR system should be found, which more broadly assesses students, especially when soft skills are emerging as important employability attributes. So, students with a recent secondary school education are now considered for admission if they have a Year 12 (Australian secondary school) certificate. Exceptions may apply to some courses.
What if  I don’t meet the entry criteria for a degree?

Torrens University Australia has a range of application pathways to help you gain entry into our degrees based on different criteria.

To find out more, visit Study Pathways or contact our Future Student Advisors.
Am I eligible for FEE-HELP?
If you are a domestic student attending university or an approved higher education provider, you can get a FEE-HELP loan to pay all or part of your tuition fees.

You are eligible for FEE-HELP assistance for a unit of study (i.e. subject) if you:

Undertake study with an approved provider.

Meet the citizenship and residency requirements:

An Australian citizen or a New Zealand Special Category Visa holder who meets the long-term residency criteria and who will undertake, in Australia, at least one unit of study contributing to your course; OR

A permanent humanitarian visa holder who will be a resident in Australia for the duration of your unit; OR

Are a permanent visa holder who is undertaking bridging study for overseas-trained professionals, and will be a resident in Australia for the duration of the study.

Enrolled in an eligible unit of study by the census date for the unit.

Have not exceeded the FEE-HELP limit.

For full details, visit the Australian Government website Study Assist.

If you are still unsure, please contact our Future Student Advisors who can talk you through the information.

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Diploma of Counselling and Communication Skills