Health

Master of Counselling (Advanced)

Health course hero counselling session| Torrens University

What is a Master of Counselling (Advanced)?

The Master of Counselling (Advanced) prepares you for a career that leverages counselling and coaching skills in a range of settings. Through a range of theoretical and practical skills, this course further develops your capability in providing counselling and support to various demographics across life stages.

You will be equipped to enable further lifelong learning, support continued resilience and professional boundaries, while facilitating effective interpersonal communication across business, community, education and wellbeing settings. This accredited master's degree is the highest level of counselling training available in Australia and provides a holistic environment for you to gain hands-on experience practising your counselling skills.

More

Learning outcomes and Work-Integrated Learning

  • Support clients with a range of issues within ethical and professional requirements.
  • Understand and apply psychosocial wellbeing to practice.
  • Deepen and broaden your communication skills.
  • Apply theories and practical skills to personal lived experience.
  • Apply theory and practice skills to demonstrate self-care.
  • This course has a requirement of 40 hours of work placement.
  • This course has a requirement of 120 hours of experiential practical skills training on-campus Practical Intensive Workshops that are spread over three subjects (if studying online.
ACA member logo

ACA Recognised credentials

Our graduates qualify for membership with the Australian Counselling Association (ACA).

ARCAP logo

ARCAP professional registration access

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

Study mode
Blended
Campus locations
Online
Student
Domestic
Course duration
2 years full time, 4 years part time
Start date
15 Sep 2025
16 Feb 2026
01 Jun 2026
14 Sep 2026
Fee & scholarships

This is an AQF Level 9 course delivered by Torrens University Australia Ltd.

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

Learn from counselling experts
Our counselling academics understand where the mental health industry is heading and will guide you on your learning journey.

40+ years of counselling experience
Our heritage with the Jansen Newman Institute ensures you’re learning from more than 40 years of counselling experience.
Jacqueline Tow Master of Counselling alumni video
Meet our Counselling Alumni, Jacqueline Tow. She is a Child and Adolescent Neurofeedback Counsellor, practicing neurofeedback counselling with children, young people and their families.
Counselling careers

Career opportunities

The Master of Counselling (Advanced) has been designed to prepare you for employment in a role which leverages counselling and communication skills. Graduates of this course will progress their careers in the professional domain of counselling and case management.

Potential career paths

  • Counsellor
    Average salary: $85,939 - $117,000
  • Case Manager
    Average salary: $80,533 - $114,373
  • Rehabilitation Counsellor
    Average salary: $82,500 - $120,000
  • Addiction Counsellor
    Average salary: $51,675 - $58,011
Samantha Strahan Health course student
What I’ve enjoyed most about this degree is the sense of being looked after while studying, I’ve felt so supported through the course and loved the ability to collaborate and join in.
Samantha Strahan
Health Faculty

Subjects and units

Delivered both on campus and online, the Master of Counselling (Advanced) comprises of 11 core subjects and 5 electives, each subject requiring 10 hours of study per week; three hours facilitated and seven self-directed. Assessments may include activity-based assignments or online quizzes.

Requirements

These eight core subjects must be completed.

Core subjects

  • Advanced Therapeutic Communication | ATC401
  • Theoretical Approaches to Counselling | TAC402
  • Life Stages and Development | LSD403
  • Self Care & Developing Resilience | SDR404
  • Mental Health | MEH505
  • Digital Counselling | DGC506
  • Clinical Practice & Supervision | CPS507
  • Advanced Counselling Skills | ACS504

Requirements

These three core subjects must be completed. Additionally you're required to select five electives from the electives tab. 

Core subjects

  • Group Leadership | GRL610
  • Trauma Informed Practice | TIP611
  • Working with at Risk Groups and Suicidality | WRG617

Requirements

Choose five specified or unspecified electives subjects below in year two.

Elective subjects

Choose to complete RES611 or HEP601

  • Positive Aging | POA612
  • Grief and Loss | GAL613
  • Coaching and Positive Psychology | CPP614
  • Social and Emotional Well-being in Australian Indigenous Populations | SEW615
  • Critical Literature Review | RES611 
  • Critical Literature Review | HEP601
  • Empowerment and Advocacy | EPA618

Study pathways

Torrens University offers undergraduate and postgraduate students with flexible entry options and study pathways. Whether you prefer a full program or a modular approach, we can tailor your studies to your needs. Start your journey with an undergraduate diploma or bachelor degree, or grow your career with a postgraduate qualification.

Need more help?

Let us customise a study plan and pathway for you.

Postgraduate

  • Master of Philosophy

    CRICOS 096609F

    On campus | Online | Blended
    2 years full time, 4 years part time

Higher Degrees by Research

  • Doctor of Philosophy

    CRICOS 096608G

Industry partners and Work‑Integrated Learning

Work-Integrated Learning and Practicum Experiences are embedded throughout the Master of Counselling (Advanced) and are incorporated into theory subjects. Work placements and Work-Integrated Learning programs provide a valuable resource for you to develop hands-on practical experience to ensure you graduate confident and job-ready.

Work-Integrated Learning Hours

As part of the Master of Counselling (Advanced), you’ll have the chance to undertake 40 hours of work placement in the form of supervised clinical practice either in our Sydney Clinic - The Practice Wellbeing Centre (which offers low-cost counselling services to the public) and/or in selected outplacements through external organisations. This placement occur within one subject (CPS507). You will be required to complete at least 120 hours of experiential practical skills training at the campus-based Practical Intensive Workshops that are spread over two subjects (TAC402, ACS504A), with one further online Practical Intensive Workshop within once subject (TIP611).

You can source Work-Integrated Learning opportunities, including placements, through our Careers Connect database, all vetted for quality and relevance by Torrens University’s Learning Facilitators.

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.

Australian bachelor's degree in a relevant field of study or equivalent, OR
Australian bachelor's degree or equivalent in a non-related field of study and the completion of the Torrens University Work Life Entry Form and successful completion of the Torrens University Graduate Certificate in Counselling.

Guaranteed pathway and Recognition of Prior Learning

If you have already completed a qualification or gained skills through life or work experience, you may be able to credit this against your degree with us. Check information about Recognition of Prior Learning and Course Credit transfer. We also offer pathway opportunities to further your learning.

Learn more about study pathways

How to apply

Frequently asked questions

  • What are Torrens University Australia’s ATAR requirements for domestic students?
  • What if  I don’t meet the entry criteria for a degree?
  • Am I eligible for FEE-HELP?
  • Can I get course credit for previous experience?
  • What are Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and Credit Transfer (CT)? How do I apply?
  • How do I apply for a scholarship?

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Want to find out more?

Don't forget to download the course guide or get in touch with us below.