Online Graduate Diploma in Counselling

What is a Graduate Diploma of Counselling

The Graduate Diploma of Counselling provides a postgraduate qualification for you to enhance your skills in the professional domain of counselling and interpersonal communication. You will learn about the importance of personal and professional self-care, the effects of vicarious trauma and telehealth services. This course focuses on the theories and practices of counselling to support and foster positive human change.

Designed to fit in with you
With all your learning materials online, you can tailor a schedule to fit your personal needs. 

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. 

Course overview

You will be equipped with professional counselling experience and a wide range of skills to enable further lifelong learning, support continued resilience-building, and facilitate effective interpersonal communication across business, community, education or wellbeing settings. The Graduate Diploma of Counselling enables you to begin a career as a counsellor or to enhance your current practice. This course can also act as a pathway to the master's degree.

Career opportunities

This course has been designed to expand your employment opportunities in roles that leverage counselling and communication skills. You’ll have a range of job opportunities available in the professional domain of counselling and other support services, as well as the opportunity to continue your studies at master's level.

Career paths

Counselling
Case Manager
Rehabilitation Support Services
Mental Health Support Services
Domestic Violence Support Service
Addiction Support Services
Family Services
Child Protection

Future careers
Counselling

Case Manager

Rehabilitation Support Services

Mental Health Support Services

Domestic Violence Support Service

Addiction Support Services

Family Services

Child Protection

Learn more about careers in Counselling and Community Services

Subjects and units

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

8 Core subjects

Advanced Therapeutic Communication | ATC401

Communication skills are fundamental to therapeutic relationships. This subject explores the nature of interpersonal communication including different communication channels and barriers to effective communication. The role of self-perception and culture in interpersonal communication, listening and reflection play in effective communication will be critically appraised.
Students will examine how different types of relationships both personal and professional can be enhanced through more effective communication. This subject concludes with a discussion of power in interpersonal relationships, and how and when confidentially and the therapeutic responsibility to exercise ‘duty of care’ might conflict
Students will demonstrate micro-skills, attending and communication process skills, verbal and non-verbal communication, nuanced listening and reflecting skills, and the use and abuse of questions.
Theoretical Approaches to Counselling | TAC402

This subject introduces a variety of counselling approaches. Students are required to explore approaches to theories, modalities and practice skills.
Students are introduced to a selection of counselling theories, including:
• Person‐centred Therapy
• Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Dialectical Behavioural Therapy and Solution Focused techniques
• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Narrative Therapy and Mindfulness based practice
Students will participate in different experiential learning scenarios to develop their understanding of various counselling interventions This subject also establishes a firm foundation for the concepts and techniques developed in later subjects.
Life Stages and Development | LSD403

The subject introduces the field of developmental psychology and explores why people behave in certain ways, what drives or motivates human behaviour, and links between developmental experience and trauma. Students will examine the key life stages of birth, early and later childhood, adolescence, young adulthood, mid‐life, aging and death in their social and cultural contexts.
The subject provides an opportunity for students to explore how theories of attachment, cognitive and social development explain human development across the lifespan with particular reference to the effects of trauma. The influences of biology, gender, culture, ethnicity and socio‐political contexts in these development periods will also be investigated.
Self Care & Developing Resilience | SDR404

Resilience, a quality that allows individuals to recover from times of difficulty and crisis and can be developed through understanding and practice. The subject covers the principles of social, emotional, physical and psychological wellbeing as they relate to health behaviours. Students will analyse the role of capacity building and the promotion of wellbeing through strategies to enhance personal and professional self-care. The impact of vicarious trauma and the effects of burnout for professionals will be explored.
Students will be required to critically self-reflect applying theories and practice skills to personal lived experience and history and use this knowledge to develop a cohesive self-care plan suitable to future industry practice.
Mental Health | MEH505

In this subject, students will develop the knowledge and understanding of how to work effectively with people with a mental illness. Students will gain an understanding of common types of mental illness and the social and psychological determinants of mental health. Reduction of lethal risk and domestic abuse are key components of this subject. Common personality disorders will be outlined and explored.
Digital Counselling | DGC506

Understanding digital culture and its impact upon intrapersonal, interpersonal, and intercultural experience in a globalised society is fundamental to therapeutic relationships.
This subject examines the ways in which technology influences thinking and behaviour introducing phenomena such as disinhibition, net-worked relationships, multiple, contingent and mobile identities, dissociative imagination and behaviours, and the desire for liminal experience. Through a critical analysis of the impact of technology this subject assists students to utilise traditional face-to-face counselling theories and methods in digital environments, including apps, SMS, videoconferencing, and virtual reality as it applies to counselling.
This subject provides students with the tools to create, and manage, a digitally competent ethical and professionally appropriate interpersonal online presence and strategies for managing client privacy and security. Current and future trends in social media and information communication technology and their impact on practice will also be considered.
Clinical Practice & Supervision | CPS507

Clinical practice and supervision. Students will undertake 40 hours of supervised counselling at an external organisation or at our student-led clinic - The Practice Wellbeing Centre. The importance of ethics, professional boundaries, counselling theories and practice will be covered. Particular attention is devoted to client assessment and treatment planning; to skills of dealing with client resistance; assessing risk and to issues of transference and counter-transference. Students will be required to write up cases to professional standard.
Advanced Counselling Skills | ACS504

This subject introduces a variety of counselling approaches. Students are required to explore approaches to theories, modalities and practice skills.
Students are introduced to a selection of counselling theories, including:
• Person‐centred Therapy
• Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Dialectical Behavioural Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
• Solution Focused Therapy, Narrative Therapy and Mindfulness based practice
Students will participate in different experiential learning scenarios to develop their understanding of various counselling interventions This subject also establishes a firm foundation for the concepts and techniques developed in later subjects.

Industry partners

Work-Integrated Learning programs provide a valuable resource for you to develop hands-on practical experience to ensure you graduate confident and job-ready.

Learning outcomes

Identify and analyse the major issues that affect the health of populations
Evaluate the effectiveness of policy and management to promote health and welfare
Identify and describe environmental risk factors that affect the health and safety of a population
Demonstrate a commitment to the ethical practice of public health, and the principles of access and equity
Apply local and global public health awareness to public health challenges

Hear from our Health lecturers about the flexible and career-focused approach we take to your education.

Choose your student type for entry requirements, fees and scholarships

Domestic
International

Admissions criteria and pathways: Domestic students

Before you begin your course application, check that you meet the requirements listed below.

OR work life experience demonstrating the ability to undertake study at the required level.

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

View full course admission information

Fees: Domestic students

Domestic fees

Check the Domestic Course Fee Schedule for the cost of your course.

Download domestic fees PDF
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.
View more info on fees

Scholarships: Domestic students

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:

Scholarship types
Health

Alumni

Industry

Indigenous

View all scholarships

How to apply: Domestic students

Apply online now Make an enquiry

Admissions criteria and pathways: International students

Before you begin your course application, check you meet all the requirements listed below

OR alternative entry requirement may be available. Contact the International Admissions team for more information.

Guaranteed pathway and Recognition of Prior Learning

Learn more about study pathways

View full course admission information

Fees: International students

International fees

Check the International Course Fee Schedule for the cost of your course. Onshore international students requiring a student visa should choose campus-based / blended options.

Download international fees PDF
Fee payment

Course fees can be paid in 3 instalments, each instalment to be paid before the beginning of the academic stage census date.

View our fees

Scholarships: International students

We want you to have the best possible chance to succeed, which is why we offer a range of financial scholarships to support our international students during their study journey.

Scholarship types
International scholarships

View all scholarships

How to Apply: International students

Apply online now Make an enquiry

Frequently asked questions

What does admissions criteria mean?

Admissions criteria is a set of criteria that must be met to be eligible to apply for a chosen course.

To gain entry to an accredited undergraduate course at Torrens University Australia, applicants must both satisfy general admissions criteria and meet any additional course requirements where specified.

All admissions criteria and course-specific requirements apply consistently across campus locations and study modes. To find out more, visit admissions criteria.
What if I don’t meet the entry criteria for a degree?

Torrens University Australia has recognised pathways to help you gain entry into our bachelor degrees based on different criteria.

To find out more, visit Study pathways or contact one of our knowledgeable Course and Careers Advisors.
Can I get course credit for previous experience?

Yes, course credit is available upon application and academic approval.

If you have already completed a qualification or have relevant work experience, you may be able to receive credits towards your degree. This credit can take the form of credit transfer, block credit or Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).

Our Program Directors will carefully review the learning gained from your previous qualification and/or experience to ensure we provide you with credit towards our degrees whenever appropriate. Review our course credits page or chat to one of Course and Careers Advisors.
What are course credits?

Course credits are credits that can be applied to your course based on your prior experience or qualifications. To find out more, visit course credits

.
What are Torrens University Australia’s courses’ ATAR requirements?

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.
Am I a domestic or an international student?

Domestic students are Australian and Permanent Residents. International students are those who hold citizenship or Permanent Resident status of all other countries.

International students from countries whose first official language is one other than English need to provide evidence of English Language Proficiency.
How do Torrens University Australia fees charge?

Torrens University Australia is a full-fee paying institution. To find out more, visit Tuition Fees.

Domestic students may be eligible for FEE-HELP. For more information on FEE-HELP, please visit: https://www.studyassist.gov.au/.

Please note we do not currently offer any full fee waivers for international students. We do not offer stipends or living allowances.
How much are Torrens University Australia courses?

For a full list of tuition fees, visit Tuition Fees.

Remember, if you're an Australian citizen or permanent resident, your fees can be covered by FEE-HELP. You can find out more information on FEE-HELP on the StudyAssist website at https://www.studyassist.gov.au/fee-help or contact us and we can guide you through the process.
Am I eligible for FEE-HELP?
To get a FEE-HELP loan, you must:

be an Australian citizen and study at least part of your course in Australia, or

be a New Zealand Special Category visa (SCV) holder or permanent humanitarian visa holder and meet the residency requirements.

be enrolled in a fee-paying place at a provider that offers FEE-HELP loans

be enrolled in an eligible course at your provider by the census date (your provider can tell you if your course is eligible)

submit the Request for FEE-HELP form to your provider by the census date

not have already borrowed up to your HELP loan limit.

Permanent residents can only get FEE-HELP for approved bridging studies.

If you are studying at a non-university, you will also need to meet the ‘pass rate’ requirements.

You can find out more information on the StudyAssist website at https://www.studyassist.gov.au/fee-help or speak to a Course and Careers Advisor and we can guide you through the process.
Can I apply for FEE-HELP?

To be eligible for FEE-HELP you need to be an Australian citizen , and have a tax file number. You must also be studying at an approved higher education provider, such as Torrens University Australia.

You can find out more information on the StudyAssist website at https://www.studyassist.gov.au/fee-help or contact us and we can guide you through the process.
How do I apply for FEE-HELP?

If you receive an offer from Torrens University Australia, and you meet the eligibility requirements, you may be eligible for FEE-HELP. You will need to complete a Commonwealth Assistance Form if you want to defer payment of some, or all, of your tuition fees. You will need to quote your tax file number or provide a Certificate of Application for a Tax File Number. The form must be completed before the due date.

You can find out more information on the StudyAssist website at https://www.studyassist.gov.au/fee-help or speak to our Course and Careers Advisors and we can guide you through the process.
Is there a FEE-HELP limit?

For 2020, the HELP loan limit is $106,319 for most students. The Australian Government publishes the HELP Loan limit on their website.

FEE-HELP is a loan scheme that assists eligible fee-paying students to pay their tuition costs. Eligible students can borrow up to the FEE-HELP limit to pay their tuition fees. Note: Any loan fees that were applied to study prior to January 1, 2019 will not count towards your FEE-HELP limit.

Students repay the loan to the Australian Government through the tax system once a student reaches the minimum income threshold level for repayment, which for 2019-20 is $45,881.

You can find out more information on the StudyAssist website at https://www.studyassist.gov.au/fee-help or Contact Us and we can guide you through the process.
What courses are available for FEE-HELP?

To find out more, visit How to Apply.
What is FEE-HELP?

FEE-HELP is a loan scheme that assists eligible full-fee-paying students pay their tuition costs.

You must be studying at an approved FEE-HELP provider in order to access a FEE-HELP loan, such as Torrens University Australia.

A FEE-HELP loan does not cover costs like accommodation, laptops or textbooks, and must be repaid once you start earning above a certain income threshold.

To find out more, visit the Study Assist website: https://www.studyassist.gov.au/help-loans/fee-help.
Is there anything I can do to prepare for Torrens University Australia?

There are lots of resources to help you prepare for university life. Attend one of our workshops or events and get some tips firsthand from our industry-focused lecturers and current students.

The events programs range in topic and delivery mode, so there should always be one to suit your needs. At any time you can contact one of our Course and Careers Advisors to talk through your career goals. They can guide you on what to expect and how you can get prepared earlier. If you know exactly which course you want to enrol in, you could take advantage of the early entry program.
What is the Early Entry Program?

The Torrens University Australia Early Entry Program has been created to allow you to apply and secure your place for your chosen course before you finish your Year 12 exams.

To find out more, visit Early Entry Program or email enquiries@tua.edu.au or phone 1300 575 803.
How do I apply?

Applying is easy and can be done online by filling out the apply form. If you have any difficulty, please contact a Course and Careers Advisor, 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 applicants may also need to demonstrate compliance with relevant legislative requirements, for example, requirements for student visas (this does not apply for online study outside of Australia).
How will I know if my application has been processed?

Our Course and Careers Advisors will help you through every step of the application process and provide you with updates. If your application is successful, you will receive an offer letter via email.
I am having trouble with my application. Who can help?

Our friendly Course and Careers Advisors are available to answer all your questions and guide you through the application process. Fill out the contact us form and one of them will reach out to you.
What are pathways?

All Torrens University Australia courses have specific entry requirements, but we also offer multiple pathways into courses when you don’t meet those entry requirements.

There are different pathways for different courses. For example, we offer a range of diploma courses which pathway into bachelor degrees in Business, Design and Creative Technology, Health and Hospitality. We also have graduate certificate and graduate diploma courses which pathway into masters courses in Business, Global Project Management, Sports Management, Health, Education, Design and Hospitality. 

For more information on different types of pathways available, visit study pathways.
How can I pay for my course?
Payment information will be outlined in your offer letter but there are a couple of different options:

Upfront payment via credit card, BPAY, cheque or overseas bank account transfer

Full or partial payment via FEE-HELP Government Assistance (domestic students only)
What are the key dates for 2021?

To find out more, visit Key Dates.
What are the semester and term dates?

Torrens University Australia has three main intakes each year, usually during February, June and September. There are also a range of accelerated intake dates available, meaning if you just miss the start date, you don’t have to wait until the next intake.

You can apply any time throughout the year for the next intake start date – or a future start date if you are planning ahead. Different semester dates apply for Blue Mountains International Hotel Management School as well as some of our other courses.

To find out more, visit key dates.

View all FAQs

What is a Graduate Diploma of Counselling