Student guide to counselling placements: What you need to know

A counselling placement is a supervised, practical training experience completed as part of a counselling qualification. You work with real clients, or support the delivery of real client services, under the guidance of a qualified supervisor. It's the stage where the theory from your classes meets the reality of practice.

If you're studying Counselling, or thinking about it, placement is one of the most valuable parts of the journey. This guide walks through what counselling placements students involve, how to find one, what's required before you begin, and what to expect once you're there.

What is a counselling placement and what does it involve?

A counselling placement is a period of supervised practice within an approved host organisation. It connects the skills you’re developing in class with the experience of working alongside real clients, with guidance close by.

The counselling courses at Torrens University with placements are the Bachelor of Counselling and all postgraduate Counselling courses (except the Graduate Certificate of Counselling).

Here's how a counselling work placement generally runs:

• You're based at an approved host organisation, such as a community service or mental health provider.
• A qualified clinical supervisor supports you while you counsel clients.
• You regularly sit down with a senior counsellor to talk through your cases and get guidance. These are your supervision sessions.
• You keep a reflective log of your hours and your learning.

Placement hours usually fall into three categories. Knowing them helps you track your progress:

• Client contact hours: time spent in direct, face-to-face counselling with clients.
• Supervision hours: time with your clinical supervisor, reviewing your cases and developing your practice.
• Non-contact placement hours: other placement activity, such as observation, writing case notes, team meetings and preparation.

Counselling courses accredited by the Australian Counselling Association build in a formal client contact placement of at least 40 hours of client contact, paired with 10 hours of related clinical supervision. That structure gives you real practice while keeping strong support around you.

Counselling work-integrated learning requirements

Practical Intensive Workshops

Before you work with clients, you learn in a safe, supported setting. At Torrens University, that happens through Practical Intensive Workshops, which are hands-on training sessions that involve practising counselling skills with your peers and learning facilitators. These workshops are a requirement of completing your counselling course, and they happen over multiple subjects.

The number of hours depends on your course and study mode:

• Master of Counselling (Advanced): 120 hours
• Master of Counselling: 120 hours
• Graduate Diploma of Counselling: 80 hours
• Graduate Certificate of Counselling: 40 hours
• Bachelor of Counselling: 120 hours

Workshops typically run as weekend blocks (Saturday and Sunday, 9 AM to 5 PM) attached to specific subjects across your course. You'll practise counselling skills with peers, take part in guided role-play and case scenarios, and get direct feedback from your facilitator in a supportive, hands-on environment.

Once you’ve completed the prerequisite subjects and practical learning requirements, you then move on to your compulsory work-integrated learning placement.

Counselling placement requirements are in place to protect you and your clients. Generally, host organisations will ask you to complete a National Police Check. If your placement involves contact with people under 18, you’ll also need to undergo a Working with Children Check.

Every organisation is different, so you may be required to complete additional checks. Confirm your requirements with your host organisation before you begin.

How to find a counselling placement

At Torrens University, both undergraduate and postgraduate counselling students are responsible for finding and applying for their own placement. This gives students the freedom and opportunity to work at an organisation that aligns with their interests and career goals. Undergraduate students can access these additional resources to source their placements.

If you're wondering how to find a counselling placement near you, start with organisations that already offer counselling or wellbeing support:

• Community organisations and neighbourhood centres
• Mental health services
• Not-for-profit agencies
• Volunteer networks, such as Seek Volunteer and EthicalJobs

To help find your placement organisation, Torrens University students can source opportunities through Careers Connect. This hub is checked for quality and relevance by our team. You can also reach out to the Health team if you need any further support.

Tips to find a good counselling placement

Treat a placement application like a job application. You'll usually need a professional resume and a cover letter that shows why you're a good fit. Start early. Quality placements fill quickly, and beginning your search ahead of time improves your chances of securing a spot that suits you.

What to look for in a counselling placement supervisor

When you're choosing or starting with a supervisor, look for someone who is appropriately qualified, approachable, and experienced in the style of counselling you want to practise. A good supervisor challenges your thinking and supports your confidence.

How counselling placements work

Most placements run for an agreed number of hours each week, worked out between you and your placement host. Schedules can often flex around study and other commitments, though you’ll need to discuss this with your host directly.

Supervision sits at the heart of how placements work. Your clinical supervisor is an experienced practitioner who guides your development, and supervision sessions give you space to talk through cases, reflect on your decisions and receive feedback. Regular supervision is a professional requirement that protects both you and the people you work with.

At Torrens University, you won't be on your own during placement.

• Before you start placement: Students can access the Work Integrated Learning Toolkit on MyLearn, covering placement search strategies, resume writing and interview preparation, alongside support from the Learning Facilitator team.
• During your placement: You’ll receive direct support from both your host organisation and your learning facilitators, ensuring you’re feeling supported and confident every step of the way.

How long does a counselling placement last?

Placement length depends on your qualification.

Bachelor of Counselling students are required to complete 340 hours of work placement across two subjects:

• HCCSSD106: 200 hours, completed in Year 2 of a full-time study load
• HCCSSD311: 140 hours, completed in Year 3 of a full-time study load. 40 hours of this placement must be face-to-face counselling with clients.

Postgraduate Counselling courses (excluding Graduate Certificate) students are required to complete 40 hours of work placement within one subject (CPS507).

Within the time of your placement, your hours are divided between direct client contact, supervision, and non-contact activity such as preparation and documentation.

Practical Workshop and Placement hours

What students learn from counselling placements

Placement is where counselling skills settle into place. Working with real clients, you develop:

• Active listening and empathy
• Assessment skills
• Counselling and interviewing techniques
• Clinical documentation and case notes

The common learning objectives for a counselling placement focus on applying theory in practice, working ethically and within your scope, building professional relationships, and reflecting honestly on your own growth.

That experience opens doors. Placement helps prepare you for work across community services, private practice, the NDIS and the wider mental health sector. It's also a step towards professional recognition, since graduates of accredited counselling courses can apply for registration with the Australian Counselling Association.