Gain the opportunity to work with clients in an entry level counselling role. Learning current and effective counselling techniques and methods, you will be able to give people the skills to overcome the personal or psychological problems they face, making a difference in their lives. Upon graduating you will have the opportunity to build a career in the counselling industry.

This interactive and supportive counselling course offers specialisations that will guide you through strategies when working with clients. The Diploma also provides transferable skills that will further strengthen work performance for those in human resources, education and community services. For those who want to specialise in social work, counselling or psychology, this course is also an excellent pathway to Higher Education.

Undertaking formal studies to become a qualified community service worker will present a range of entry point employment opportunities in many community services fields including residential services, recreation programs, educational support services, advocacy, employment support services, respite services and community or neighbourhood houses.

NBMC works closely with organisations such as Relationships Australia, Burdekin Mission Australia, Lifeline and Anglicare to make sure you qualify industry and job ready.

Fast Track Your Course

If eligible, this course is available over a shorter period via distance education. Students must meet work and prior education criteria. Please contact Nadia if you would like to discuss this option further.

Learn new skills including

• Apply interpersonal and counselling skills
• Facilitate the counselling relationship and process
• Work legally and ethically
• How to select and implement counselling therapies
• Recognise and respond to crisis situations appropriately
• Reflect on and improve professional practice
• Action and process a brief intervention
• Micro-counselling and interviewing skills

Employment opportunities with this qualification include:

• Domestic and Family Violence Counsellor
• Youth worker
• Community Services Worker
• Careers Counsellor
• Family and Marriage Counsellor
• Disability and Aged Care counsellor
• Telephone counsellors
• Suicide and grief counsellors
• Rehabilitation Counsellor
• Student Counsellor

Course outcomes include

• Completion of a nationally recognised industry qualification
• A First Aid Certificate (if chosen as an elective)

Course entry requirements

• Telephone or personal meeting with our Training Coordinator who will provide course information and answer your questions to ensure this is the right course for you before you enrol.
• If elective requires: Current National Police Check (less than 1 year old)
• If elective requires: Working with Children Check – free volunteer check available here.
• If elective requires: NDIS Worker Check – free volunteer check available here.
• Completion of the Applicant Questionnaire and Applicant Code of Conduct.

           NSW Police Check
           Working with Children Check

• Unique Student Identifer (see information below).
• Successful completion of an NBMC English language, literacy and numeracy quiz to determine that you have appropriate skills to successfully complete the course.
• If First Aid is chosen as an elective, ability to perform CPR while kneeling on the floor.
• Above average technology and research skills for the purposes of research, assessment submission, use of Learning Management System and interactive learning platforms when required.

What you need to know about this course

• The College offers part time day and evening courses. See below for class options.
• Attendance is in person at a College Campus.
• The course is delivered using a blended learning model which includes timetabled classroom attendance, weekly flexible directed self study hours and 40 work placement hours (if elective requires).
• Students will need to allow regular weekly hours (approx 12) throughout the course for directed self study for the completion of learning and assessment tasks.
• There are no classes during school holidays.
• The course is delivered in the College’s fully equipped training room by our qualified and industry experienced trainer/assessor.
• Work placement hours will differ to normal class hours.
• 17 units of competency must be successfully completed to achieve this qualification. These are listed in the pop up list located above the class options below. (Note: the list below also includes elective options currently offered by the College).
• A timetable will be provided on course commencement detailing theory and practical training sessions.
• On Campus study during COVID-19 – please click here to learn about the additional safety measures being taken at College Campuses to help protect everyone on site.

About work placement

• Work placement requirements will be determined by the elective subjects chosen (arranged by the student with assistance from NBMC). The days and hours of placement will need to be negotiated between the student and host organisation.
• Work placement provides you with the opportunity to respond to situations and circumstances that cannot be replicated in a simulated environment.

Are there Assessments?

• Competency based assessment of each unit of competency in the course will be conducted through a mix of assessment methods including case studies, theory tasks, role plays, projects and practical demonstration.
• Some units of competency may require assessment of practical skills during work placement.
• You will receive clear assessment instructions and an opportunity will be provided for resubmission of assessments if required.

Pathway to Further Training

The Diploma of Counselling provides a pathway to a range of Bachelor Degrees including Community Services or Social Science

Eligibility for Subsided Training under the Smart & Skilled Training Program

This training is subsidised by the NSW Government under the Smart & Skilled Training Program. To be eligible you must be

• an Australian Citizen/Perm Resident/NZ citizen/humanitarian visa holder
• aged 15 years or older, and
• live or work in New South Wales, and
• no longer be at school or equivalent

Eligibility for “Skilling for Recovery” - Fee Free Training

Skilling for Recovery is a NSW Government initiative to deliver JobTrainer funding in NSW. It provides free certificate, diploma and short course training to eligible applicants. If you meet the Smart & Skilled Program eligibility above and one of the following you could complete this course FEE FREE:

• Unemployed (with or without a benefit); or
• Be in receipt of a Commonwealth Government welfare benefit (as specified on the Smart and Skilled Funding page); or
• At risk of unemployment; or
• 17-24 years old (employed or not)

See Skilling for Recovery Funding page for further information.

Course cost

If you meet the above eligibility criteria for the Smart & Skilled Training Program but you are not eligible for “Skilling for Recovery”, the course cost is as follows:

• If no prior post school qualification: $4420
• If a post school qualification has previously been completed: $4970

Course cost includes course resources but students are responsible for the cost of obtaining a police check and/or Working with Children Check (depending on work placement).

Course cost includes course resources.

The Smart & Skilled Training Program does not provide a concession fee or fee free scholarship at Diploma level.

Payment options:

Payment can be made

• In full if the course cost is less than $1500
• By three or four instalments (no more than $1500 accepted at one time) - one third on enrolment and the other payments through the course
• An interest-free payment plan paying $240 on enrolment followed by fortnightly direct debit payments
• By Cash, Cheque, Visa or MasterCard

If not eligible for subsidised training: $8500 – please contact the College for payment options.

College Trainers

All NBMC Trainers/Assessors are current industry professionals with the required qualifications to deliver and assess this course. Trainers draw upon and share their own experiences in the industry to ensure that the training delivered to you is current and relevant. For information about individual trainers, please click on the trainer name in the class details below for the trainer’s bio.

Student Support

Please advise our Training Coordinator at your initial telephone or personal meeting if you require additional support in your learning. This will allow a support plan to be devised before you commence your course.

Why study at Northern Beaches & Mosman College?

Enjoy smaller class sizes, a personalised relationship with your trainer, face-to face teaching sessions and qualifications that include real life work experience, when you choose to study at the three-campus Northern Beaches & Mosman College (NBMC).

With classes available across the Northern Beaches and Lower North Shore in Narrabeen, Brookvale and Mosman, the College offers increasing numbers of accredited and vocational qualifications. Students include those looking to upskill, to change career direction and school leavers keen to step onto a career pathway. Courses on offer can lead directly to employment and/or go towards future learning opportunities.

National Recognition

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) - is a process of acknowledging previously completed qualifications, skills, knowledge or experience relevant to your course. This may reduce the amount of learning required, reduce your course fees and allow you to achieve your qualification faster. Any student who believes they may be eligible for RPL should discuss this with our Training Coordinator on enrolment.

Unique Student Identifier (USI)

From 1 January 2015 it is a requirement of the Federal Government that all students undertaking nationally recognised training will need to obtain a Unique Student Identifier (USI). This involves an easy online application. See USI Fact Sheet for information on how to apply for a USI go to the Unique Student Identifier (USI) Website for additional information.

Please ensure when completing your enrolment information, that the details relating to your name are identical to those on the identification evidence (eg passport or driver’s licence) used when creating your USI, eg no abbreviations or nicknames should be used. Once created, it is important that you keep a record of your USI and access to your accredited training records in a safe place. You will need this information for any future enrolments into accredited training in Australia. Please contact the College on 9970 1000 if you require assistance.

To Enrol or for Further Information

• Commence the enrolment process by completing the application below.
• Contact Nadia Louw on 9970 1008 or email nadia@nbmc.nsw.edu.au for further information.

Training under JobTrainer is fee-free and fully funded by the NSW and Commonwealth governments.