Diploma of Counselling Skills

The Diploma of Counselling Skills at the Australian College of Applied Professions (ACAP University College) is a one-year qualification for people who want to work in a helping role or test the water before committing to a longer counselling degree. You study the building blocks of counselling: how to listen properly, how to build a working relationship with a client, how to think about human development across the lifespan, and how to recognise when someone needs more than you can offer. There is also a strong focus on professional ethics and boundaries, because in counselling those are not optional extras.

How the course is structured

Australian diplomas are made up of units of study, each carrying credit points. You enrol in a set number of units per semester or trimester, and you need to pass all of them to graduate. ACAP delivers this diploma in a format that suits people already working or studying part-time, with classes on campus and online options. Assessment usually combines written work, practical skills demonstrations, and reflection on your own practice. Because this is a diploma rather than a degree, it sits below a bachelor on the AQF and can often be credited towards one, check with ACAP about how much credit you would receive if you continue studying.

Skills you build

You learn to conduct a counselling interview, use micro-skills like paraphrasing and reflecting feelings, and keep case notes that stand up to scrutiny. You also practise self-awareness, which matters because your own reactions show up in the room whether you plan for them or not. Graduates come out able to hold a supportive conversation with structure, refer appropriately, and understand the legal and ethical framework counsellors work inside in Australia.

Who it suits

This diploma suits people working in community services, education support, aged care, disability, or Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health services who want formal counselling skills. It also suits school leavers or career changers who want a qualification quickly and a pathway into further study. If you are an international student, remember that you can work up to 48 hours per fortnight while your course is in session. After you finish, the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream may be available depending on your circumstances, check the Department of Home Affairs for current rules. English proficiency requirements apply to international applicants; confirm the exact score and accepted tests on the official ACAP page. Tuition is published on the CRICOS register under course code 0101661.

• Support worker in community mental health or crisis services
• Counselling assistant or intake worker
• Case worker in family support or youth services
• Wellbeing officer in schools or community organisations
• Peer support worker in alcohol and other drug services
• Support role in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health organisations
• Pathway into a bachelor degree in counselling, social work or psychology

Employers include community health centres, not-for-profit counselling agencies, schools, residential care providers, and government-funded mental health programmes across Australia. Note that this diploma does not make you a registered counsellor on its own, check with the relevant professional bodies about registration and supervision requirements.