Learn the essential skills and knowledge to actively listen, effectively communicate and draw on varied counselling therapies to empower your clients to achieve their goals. Becoming a counsellor requires qualities such as empathy, patience, and a sincere dedication to the welfare of others.
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 counselling and psychotherapy, this course is also an excellent pathway to further studies
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
If you have recent work experience and/or qualifications please discuss the fast track course with Nadia Louw on 9970 1008 or email nadia@nbmc.nsw.edu.au. These classes run every second week.
Distance Learning
If eligible, this course will be delivered via a customised delivery model to students with recent related work experience and/or qualifications eg. Psychology or Social Work interested in learning the complimentary practical skills to working with clients. 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
In addition to individual therapy, Counsellors also work in the Community Services sector such as:
- Community Outreach Programs
- Welfare Services
- Rehabilitation
- Family Support
Course outcomes include
- Completion of a nationally recognised industry qualification
- A First Aid Certificate (if chosen as an elective)
Course entry requirements
When you study with NBMC, we want you to succeed. Entry requirements allow us to make sure that you have the right pre-existing knowledge and skills to achieve your chosen qualification. You will need to provide evidence that you meet the requirements listed in this section.
- 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.
- Basic computer skills. If you require basic computer training, please ask us about our Essential Computer Skills course.
To be prepared for this course, you will also need:
- Empathy, patience and the ability to empower others
- A sense of satisfaction for working with people during difficult situations and circumstances
- A range of life experiences that can be drawn upon when connecting with clients
- The emotional capacity to support individuals through confronting and challenging experiences
- Available support systems when faced with clients' confronting issues
To satisfy these requirements, it is recommended that students are a minimum of 21 years of age when applying.
What you need to know about this course
- The College offers part time day and evening courses. The course is delivered over a period of 9 months daytime, and 12 months evening time. There are no classes during school holidays. See below for class options.
- Attendance can be in person at a College Campus or online by Virtual Classroom using Zoom. Classes listed with a campus location are face to face and campus attendance is required for the duration of the course. See below for learning requirements for those delivered via Zoom (some face to face campus training may be required, please check with the Coordinator when applying). See below for class options.
- The course is delivered using a blended learning model which includes timetabled class attendance, weekly flexible directed self study hours and 40 work placement hours (if elective requires).
- Students will need to allow regular weekly hours (approx 16-18) 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.
- Please note: Reliable internet and a computer is essential to access course resources and completion of assessment work.
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 “NSW Fee Free” Training – LIMITED PLACES AVAILABLE
The NSW and Federal Governments have signed an agreement to deliver more fee free vocational education places in NSW in 2025 for priority qualifications including the Diploma of Counselling – training to commence between 1 January and 30 June 2025. Note: There are very limited fee-free places available and cannot be guaranteed. If you wish to apply for a fee free position, it is recommended that you do so as soon as possible after 1 November 2024
To be eligible you must be:
- an Australian Citizen/Perm Resident/NZ citizen/humanitarian visa holder or a partner visa holder whose sponsor is a humanitarian visa holder
- aged 15 years or older, and
- live or work in New South Wales, and
- no longer be at school or equivalent (excluding registered home schooled)
If you meet the above criteria, along with the Course Entry Requirements, you can apply to study this course fee free (includes course resources).
Course cost
If you meet the above eligibility criteria but the NSW FF places have been exhausted, you could enrol under under Smart and Skilled subsidised training program for which the course cost would be as follows:
No prior post school qualification: $4420
If prior post school qualification: $4970
Course cost includes course resources.
Payment options:
Pay by four interest free direct debit instalments (one quarter on enrolment and three further payments spread through the course) or $500 on enrolment followed by fortnightly, interest free direct debit payments. Note: Classes will run subject to sufficient enrolments being received.
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.
Virtual Classroom using Zoom
Zoom is easy to use video conferencing software with a simple set up. You will be able to see your trainer and classmates and interact as though you were in the same room, all from the comfort of your own home!
This is what you need to join a Zoom classroom:
- Understanding the basics of using Zoom – see our free Zoom tutorial by clicking here.
- Access to a computer, iPad/tablet or smartphone; and
- A webcam* so that you can be seen by the trainer; and
- A microphone* so that you can participate in the class and be heard by the trainer; and
- A good Internet connection.
*If you have a laptop computer a webcam and microphone is usually built into the top of the screen frame. Smartphones and iPad/tablets also contain cameras and microphones.
Once you have watched our free tutorial and experimented with Zoom, if you still have questions, we are offering free Q & A Zoom sessions with one of our experienced trainers. See our Zoom page for available dates by clicking here.
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.
- 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.
