Counsellor Job Kit

JOB KIT

NEXT GEN CAREERS

COUNSELLOR Make real impact by supporting individuals to resolve issues and meet goals

TRANSFORM LIVES. One conversation at a time.

Gain real world skills to build a career in mental health as a Counsellor.

Torrens University Australia Ltd, ABN 99 154 937 005, RTO No. 41343, TEQSA Provider ID: PRV12209 (Australian University), CRICOS Provider Code: 03389E. Information provided in this document is current at the time of publishing (April 2025). T1365

Explore our mental health courses

FOREWORD

Course coordinator, counselling undergr aduate, Torren s University

Change lives r e t t e b e h t r fo

IMAGE: SUPPLIED

If you’re the person who always plays the role of listener, counselling could be perfect for you”

Lyn Campbell, Course Co ordinator, Counselling Undergradu ate Torrens University

Psychology and coun sellin tertiary institutiong teacher, s Undergr aduate and postgr aduate degrees in psycholo gy

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lyn campbell helping people. I find ’ve always been drawn to ng. ati cin Course coordinator, fas it ING do y COUNSELL what they do and why the counsellor? You’ll torrens university Considering becoming a . too ut helping people need to be passionate abo tant to be open por im o As a counsellor, it’s als t everyone has different minded and recognise tha people for who they are views. You need to accept h no judgement. and where they are at wit person in your If you find that you’re the ays plays the role of the friendship group who alw ld be the perfect job for listener, counselling cou arding career. you. You’ll have a very rew unities in ort opp There are lots of job at study and gre a it g kin counselling too, ma example, we really career path to pursue. For llors in Australia as need more school counse are skyrocketing mental health problems ey need someone who amongst young people. Th Our graduates often go on demonstrate that d to work in these can listen, understand (an set tings too. Throughout the . ough their issues thr ir rk studies, our wo to ) nd sta der un they students are also taught tastic place to start to reflect on their own Torrens University is a fan practice and how to resear a counsellor. The ch, which are critical your journey to becoming ski lls to have on the job. by ited red acc is ich wh g, lin sel Bachelor of Coun The university itself is sup g Association, is very portive, with flexible the Australian Counsellin mo des of study and people d ate egr int rk wo es olv the inv re to help you ree deg e practical. Th whether you’re in first yea take in the first der un r or ts com den ing back to stu ich wh learning, tertiary study as a matur in places like schools, s e age thi do d stu ey dent.

Th rs. yea al and fin Over the following pages, my and domestic you Ar ’ll ion lea vat rn more Sal the e, elin Lif about what’s involved in being a counsellor and s. tre cen sis cri ce len vio what they do every day, as well as read stories from people studying an d working in this area to give you all the insights into this in-demand and meaningful career.

Learning facilitator, Torrens University

plays to your listening skills Want to study something that nd d will also lead to an in-dema and compassionate nature, an your ideal pathway! career? Counselling could be

Check out more insights, information, inspiration and advice about counsellor careers!

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COUNSELLOR

DEEP DIVE

A CAREER THAT CARES Make a positive impact every day by becoming a counsellor!

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Pay day

ntal health counsellor is a trained me and guides ts por professional that sup lties. They ficu dif ing people experienc ups and gro s, ple cou , als work with individu s, gie ate str ing cop families to create ls. resolve issues and meet goa nsellors cou ay, rkd wo ir the Throughout gh throu meet with clients to talk case plans, h wit up e com , ges challen n making isio and support them in dec s and rce ou or accessing further res end att o als s lor assistance. Counsel p their kee to ent pm elo professional dev skills up to date.

The average annual salary for a counsellor is $95,000 to $105,000 (SEEK)

There are many reasons people seek help from counsellors, including grief, addiction, stress, life transitions, wo rk issues, trauma, self-esteem, gender identi ty and sexuality. It’s important for counsellor s to understand these diverse perspectives and keep an open mind so they can counsel respec tfully and effectively. Counselling is meaningful work that directly impacts peo ple’s lives. It could be the perfect study and car eer pathway for you if you’re keen to make a dif ference and help others with their personal growth through positive change.

In this Job Kit, we explor e everything you need to become a counse llor, give insights into working in this area, and explain why now is the perfect time to becom e one.

Skills checklist

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ed To be a counsellor, you’ll ne strong skills in:

✔ Communication ✔ Active listening ✔ Empathy ✔ Patience ✔ Problem-solving

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In demand Australia needs more counse llors! Job growth in counselling is predicted to be 14.2% in the five years to 2026, according to Jobs and Skills Australia. “New counselling graduates can hel p meet this demand as one key part of the nation’s me ntal health support infrastructure,” says Dr Werne r Sattmann-Frese, senior lecturer in counselling at Torrens University.

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course finder

Potential employers As a counsellor, you could end up working for:

Choose this career if you...

• Government agencies

•H ave always loved helping others

• Schools, universities and TAFEs • Hospitals • Community health centres •N on-profit organisations •P rivate practices • Y ourself!

•A re looking for a profession where you can work in all kinds of settings •W ould like to start your own business someday •A re up for the self-reflection and personal growth that will come through your studies

A Bachelor of Counselling from Torrens University will equip you wit h everything you need to kickstart your cou nselling career. You’ll experience two industry placements and develop ski lls in conflict management, case managem ent, social justice and report writing. You ’ll also learn how to work in an allied hea lth professional environment and with a ran ge of client groups. This degree is three years full-time with par t-time options availab le. And the cherry on top? The Bachelor of Counselling is accredited by the Australian Counselling Association, so you’ll be job ready as soon as you finish your studies.

Torrens University has other counselling qualification options too, dep ending on where you’re at in your study journey. At the undergraduate level, they offe r a Diploma of Counselling. Already have a degree? Then you could do the Graduate Ce rtificate or the Graduate Diploma of Co unselling.

There’s also the Master of Co unselling that’ll enhance your skills and career. Find out more by scanning the QR code or visiting: bit.ly/TorrensCouns elling

See your study options at Torrens University

Pick your path There are so many interesting roles to explore once you have a Bachelor of Counselling under your belt. You could become a:

Counsellor School counsellor Spotlight on school counsellors

If working with and helpin g children sounds like the dream to you, consider school counselling.

According to the Australian Counselling Association, there are nowher e near enough mental health practitioners in Australia’s schools and by intr oducing a registered counse llor to every school, learning spaces tha t nur ture each child’s potent ial will be created.

As a school counsellor you could give students the sup por t and tools they need to tackle challenges in the classroom, playground and beyond.

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Case manager Youth worker Community worker Mental health support worker COUNSELLOR

REAL PEOPLE

From passion to practice Hayley Campbell-Schmidt wants to support people navigating challenges so they can thrive

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help others, and ayley has always wanted to nd a way to through her studies she’s fou Torrens make it her future career! At lom Dip a of Counselling Univer sity, she completed a w replaced by the (no and Communication Skills nselling), then Cou of VET CHC51015 Diploma started a Bachelor She . per dee wanted to dive even tly in her second year, of Counselling and is curren of therapeutic building on her knowledge cal theories. techniques and psychologi their journey to Her goal? Suppor t people on healing and growth. ding practical Hayley’s studies focus on buil t and men ess ass , skills in communication ial for her ent ess are ls skil intervention. These ilies fam ing help in lly ecia future career, esp and children.

Hayley Campbell-Sch mi Counselling STUDENT, dt Torrens University

WORDS: SASKIA HORGAN-CATCHPOLE | IMAGE: SUPPLIED

my goal is to use my knowledge and training in play therapy to make a meaningful impact” Hayley says a highlight of her degree so far has been a course called Complex Care and Diversity and Inclusion, about approaching counselling with cultural sensitivity and inclusivity.

Hayley also loves Torrens University’s practical, hands-on approach to learning, with its expert facilitators who bring real-world counselling experience to the table.

Throughout her time at Torrens, Hayley has discovered a strong interest in play therapy and filial therapy – a form of psychotherapy using play that helps children express complex feelings and process emotions. She says this is the area she wants to specialise in and plans to pursue a career in play therapy.

Diploma of Counselling and Communication Skills, Torrens University Operations Manager & Service Director, Fair Play Outside of School Hours Care

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Diploma of School Aged Education and Care, Atkinson College

Community of Practice Coordinator and Inclusion Support Coordinator, The Y QLD

Certificate of Clinical Play Therapy, Queensland Institute of Play Therapy

Disability Support Practitioner, Cerebral Palsy Alliance

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Bachelor of Counselling, Torrens University (ongoing)

r e h t e g o t r e g n o r t S

y day for Torrens University People are at the heart of ever y lecturer Lisajane Avice Dema

Lisajane Avice Dema COUNSELLOR AND LECT y URER TORRENS UNIVERSITY ,

Day in the life…

5.30am

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Woken by my cat.

fascinated isajane has always been r. iou by human behav r Now a private counsello rens Tor at er tur lec g and counsellin career in University, she started her of fashion and the “crazy, hectic world designed bags design” where she even s the transition for Taylor Swift! She say natural fit. a e to counselling felt lik mic and na dy Lisajane’s days are sting, ere int , ng filled with “amazi .” diverse people ping In the classroom, she’s hel nselling students develop their cou her private skills and knowledge. In ple through practice, she supports peo ns. complex life transitio , and Lisajane Every client is different g requires a llin nse cou says successfu l t practice and mix of evidence-based bes “Innovation personalised creativit y. at the heart of and lifelong learning are my approach.”

Bachelor of Arts (Fine Arts) Private practice counsellor

Fashion designer

9am

Street art meets lecture th

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tre On her own lifelong lea rning journey, Lisajane’s latest passion is spray painting. “It’s a radica l shi ft for me,” she says. “[Spray painting ] allows me to bring fresh energ y and perspective into my academic and counse lling work.”

Lisajane loves that she’s able to support people at critical moments in their lives. “There’s som ething incredibly rewarding abo ut seeing someone gain clarity, bu ild confidence, and take meaning ful ste ps for ward,” she says.

“I believe everyone has the potentia l for growt h, and counsellin g provides the space for that to happ en.”

Diploma of Education

Master of Counselling

Subject coordinator – Counselling, Torrens University

Lecturer – Counselling, Torrens University

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Check student messages, review my teaching resources, then meet with the counselling team.

10.30am Teach a class that introduces a new counselling theory.

1pm Walk in the garden, taking a moment to reflect on approaches for certain clients or think through the flow of an upcoming class.

7pm Work with a private client, helping them navigate a period of personal and professional change with clarity and confidence.

COUNSELLOR

Get the job!

Electives checklist

Ready to become a counsellor? Start here

Selecting these subje cts in Year 11 and 12 could give yo u a head sta rt in your counselli ng stu dies and ca reer: ✔ Biology ✔ English ✔ Com mu nity and Fa m ily Stud ies ✔ Health and Moveme nt Science ✔ Society and Cu ltu re

Listen All in the Mind Podcast

watch

Explore all things mind, brain and behaviour, with topics on everything from addiction and artificial intelligence to toxic masculinity and grief.

Changing Minds: The Inside Story (Apple TV)

Go behind the scenes of the mental health unit at Campbelltown Hospita l in Sydney in this three-part doco. You’ll mee t patients as they work with staff to get help and regain their health.

This one will give you insights into the everyday life of a counsellor. It shares tips on how to develop clinical and practice-building skills and features interviews with counsellors working across Australia.

Space 22 (ABC iview)

This series follows seven strangers with lived experience of mental ill health. Watch them as they take part in an experiment to see if participating in art can heal invisible wounds.

The Mind, Explained (Netflix)

Find out what’s happening insi de your head! This series covers eve rything from dreaming to anxiety disorde rs, highlighting how the brain works.

Follow Australian Institute of PC) Professional Counsellors (AI

Research Keen on studying the Bachel or of Counselling at Torrens University? Get across their scholarships to see which one s you might be able to apply for. These include Indi genous student scholarships, industry scholar ships and travel scholarships. Find out more: bit.ly/TorrensScholarships Or scan here

ut Find educational videos all abo health and tal men counselling, psychology, ls. life effectiveness skil

The Counselling Channel

rapies Get up to speed on talking the therapy. cho used in counselling and psy

@thepracticewellbeing

led, This account is for the student, ney Syd in ics clin ity vers Torrens Uni ices serv what Brisbane and Melbourne. See and ring counselling students are offe to do as part of get ht mig you t wha r ove disc your future studies!

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This edition was published on 15 May 2025.

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The Australia Counselling Podcast