Counsellors play an important role in the health and community services sector. They provide support and advice to people dealing with a range of issues including relationship difficulties, mental health problems and grief. Working in the mental health care industry can be a rewarding career for those who are passionate about helping others. Counselling requires excellent communication and interpersonal skills, as well as the ability to build relationships of trust. Counsellors often work closely with other health professionals such as psychologists, doctors and social workers, and they may also be involved in community education and outreach programs. If you are interested in a career that makes a difference in someone’s life, then counselling could be for you.
What does a Do?
Counsellors provide support, advice and guidance to people who are experiencing personal issues or crisis. They work in health and community services, schools, workplaces and private practices. Counsellors work with individuals, families and groups to help them overcome challenges and make positive changes. As a counsellor, you often work with people who are experiencing anxiety, depression, grief, stress or relationship problems.
Common Tasks and Duties of a :
- Build rapport and trusting therapeutic relationships.
- Understanding people’s emotional processing, support them in working through those areas where they are having difficulties processing those emotions and help them identify where change is needed in their life in order to feel happier.
- Creating counselling and treatment plans.
- Document professional case notes to industry standards.
- Provide client with information and resources such as job search assistance, housing etc.
What skills do I need to become a ?
- Socially perceptive: the ability to assess one’s situation and identify potential unspoken needs or risks. For example, identifying unsafe living situations, signs of mental illness etc.
- Coordination skills: ability to make responsible arrangements for individuals through other agencies by means of organised communication
- Seeing the good in people and understanding there is a reason for behaviour
- Good active listener
- Empathy: the ability to put oneself in another’s shoes
What are the types of organisations a Works At?
- Community services organisations
- Private health practice
- Mental health care organisations
- Employment services
Working in Western Australia? Our page on mental health and community services jobs in Western Australia sets out the official figures on the state’s workforce, shortage ratings, pay rates and the qualifications employers ask for, including for counsellor roles.
How much do Earn?
$112,000
AVERAGE SALARY
$2,154
WEEKLY EARNINGS
Industry Snapshot
INDUSTRIES
Education and Training, Health Care and Social Assistance Professional, Scientific and Technical Services
AVERAGE EDUCATION LEVEL
Bachelor degree / Diploma
Projected Job Growth in 5 Years:
34.9% (about 2,800 jobs a year)
AVERAGE AGE
44
GENDER BREAKDOWN
79% of workers are female
JOB SATISFACTION LEVEL
4.6
Industry Snapshot figures: Jobs and Skills Australia occupation profiles (ABS Labour Force Survey 2025 four-quarter average; ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025). Average salary is median full-time weekly earnings multiplied by 52; projected growth is derived from the published annual employment growth. Figures are national and will vary by employer, hours and location.
How to become a ?
As counselling is not a regulated profession in Australia, there are technically no requirements or qualifications required to work in the industry. However, you will not be able to join an Industry Association, which is viewed as the sign of a qualified and experienced professional. Without a minimum qualification at Diploma level, you will not be eligible for Professional Indemnity Insurance, which is a requirement for industry membership also.
You can study the Diploma of Counselling course at TrainSmart Australia! We are a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) providing nationally recognised courses. We’re passionate about producing quality health and community service professionals, giving our students the confidence and skills to build a fulfilling and prosperous career in counselling. Learn more about the course here.
*The projected values are for informational purposes only and are subject to change based on industry demand and growth.
What our trainer has to say
The Diploma of Counselling allows you to build confidence and self-esteem in undertaking a challenge and reaching a lifelong goal. You get a great sense of worth and pride in realising you can do it.
Estelle Jackson
