The Diploma of Counselling is designed for those who want to develop strong communication and counselling skills to better support others—whether in a current role or as a pathway into a new career. Through practical, hands-on learning, you’ll gain techniques in active listening, problem-solving and applying counselling therapies to help individuals navigate life’s challenges and achieve meaningful personal goals. These skills are valuable in any workplace where connection, empathy and effective communication matter.
This qualification is ideal for people looking to strengthen their interpersonal skills or begin working in counselling and community support. Many graduates progress into roles across community services, case management, health, education or client support. The knowledge and experience gained are highly transferable and can enhance your confidence and ability to work with clients, students and colleagues across diverse environments.
If your aim is to become a registered counsellor or specialise further, this diploma provides a solid foundation to continue into higher study—such as a bachelor degree in counselling, psychology or social work. It’s also an excellent starting point for those transitioning careers or wanting to formalise their experience helping others.
NBMC works closely with organisations such as Relationships Australia, Burdekin Mission Australia, Lifeline and Anglicare to make sure you qualify industry and job ready.
NBMC is an Accredited Education Provider of ATMS
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. Support services may be available to students with a disability, impairment, or long-term condition and/or learning, language, literacy and/or numeracy difficulties. As set out in the terms and conditions of enrolment, students are invited to contact the College upon enrolment to check if support to meet their individual needs is available.
Microsoft Teams is an easy-to-use video conferencing and collaboration platform with a simple setup. You’ll be able to see your trainer and classmates and interact just as you would in a face-to-face classroom, all from the comfort of your own home.
To join a Microsoft Teams classroom, you will need:
*Most laptops come with built-in webcams and microphones. Smartphones and tablets also include cameras and microphones. A tablet or smartphone is only suitable for viewing Teams meetings, a computer is required to access resources and submit assessments in our Learning Management System.
We have a simple instructional video to help you get started, which can be viewed by clicking here.
Please note: Students must watch our Microsoft Teams instructional video before enrolling in any course they plan to attend via Teams if they are not already confident using Teams.
This training is subsidised by the NSW Government.
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.
To be prepared for this course, you will also need:
To satisfy these requirements, it is recommended that students are a minimum of 21 years of age when applying.
To achieve this qualification, the candidate must demonstrate competency and successfully complete:
Total number of units = 17
• 13 core units
• 4 elective units, consisting of:
◦ up to 4 units from the electives listed below, any endorsed Training Package or
accredited course – these units must be relevant to the work outcome
Once successfully completed the student will receive the nationally recognised industry qualification – CHC51015 Diploma of Counselling
| Unit Code | Unit Name |
| CHCCSL005 | Apply learning theories in counselling |
| CHCDIV001 | Work with diverse people |
| CHCDIV002 | Promote Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultural safety |
| CHCLEG001 | Work legally and ethically |
| CHCCSL006 | Select and use counselling therapies |
| CHCCSL007 | Support counselling clients in decision-making processes |
| CHCCSL002 | Apply specialist interpersonal and counselling interview skills |
| CHCCSL003 | Facilitate the counselling relationship and process |
| CHCCSM005 | Develop, facilitate and review all aspects of case management |
| CHCPRP003 | Reflect on and improve own professional practice |
| CHCCSL004 | Research and apply personality and development theories |
| CHCCCS019 | Recognise and respond to crisis situation |
| CHCCSL001 | Establish and confirm the counselling relationship |
| Unit Code | Unit Name |
| CHCADV001 | Facilitate the interests and rights of clients |
| CHCCCS017 | Provide loss and grief support |
| CHCGRP002 | Plan and conduct group activities |
| CHCDFV001 | Recognise and respond appropriately to domestic and family violence |
| CHCMHS001 | Work with people with mental health issues |
| CHCCCS018 | Provide suicide bereavement support |
| Unit Code | Unit Name |
| CHCCCS004 | Assess co-existing needs |
| HLTAID011 | Provide First Aid |
| CHCAOD001 | Work in an alcohol and other drugs context |
To be awarded this qualification, a student must complete and demonstrate competency in all 13 core units and 4 elective units.
Northern Beaches & Mosman College recognises that you may be able to demonstrate a particular competency based on prior learning, skills gained in the workforce, or skills otherwise gained.
Recognition of prior learning (RPL) can be granted if you can demonstrate competency in all the performance criteria in the elements of a particular unit of competency (from a training package) or all the learning outcomes in a particular module (from an accredited course).
If you think you may be eligible for RPL in a prospective course, please contact the College for an initial discussion as to your suitability at least 2 weeks before the course commences, or for late enrolments, you must advise the Training Coordinator on enrolment. Students then have 3 weeks to lodge a fully completed application with all supporting documentation. Supporting and current evidence must be submitted with your application. It is the student’s responsibility to provide the evidence to support their claim for RPL. As RPL must be considered and assessed through one-on-one interaction between the applicant and assessor, the course fee remains the same (unless otherwise determined by a funding contract).
Applications received after this time will not be considered. Please be aware, if any of the training for units of competency for which you are applying for RPL are delivered while your application is still being considered, it is strongly recommended that you attend the related classes as we cannot guarantee that your application for RPL will be successful. As a guide the process will take between 2 and 4 weeks once your application has been submitted.
If you decide you would like to investigate the possibility of RPL further:
Step 1 – Request a formal RPL Application Pack from NBMC
The pack will include an application form and details of the units of competency and competency skills required within the relevant qualification. The application must be fully completed with as much supporting documentation as possible before being returned to NBMC. Ensure that all the evidence that you provide is relevant to the units of competency for which you are applying for RPL. The more comprehensive the evidence is, the easier and faster the assessment process will be. You have 3 weeks on receiving the application to complete and return it to NBMC.
Step 2 – Conversation with Assessor
If required, the assessor will conduct a competency conversation with you. You will be required to answer questions related to the industry area to identify your current skills.
Step 3 – Practical demonstration of your skills
If required, the assessor will conduct a practical skills test at your workplace (if appropriate) or at another suitable venue. This, again, is an opportunity to demonstrate your level of competence. This assessment will be focussed on skills that are required in the qualification. Your assessor will identify the skills that he/she will want you to demonstrate.
After the assessment, your assessor will give you information about the skills that have been recognised and whether you have gained any of units of competency applied for through RPL.
Northern Beaches & Mosman College recognises Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) qualifications and Statements of Attainment issued by other Registered Training Organisations (RTO) where the Training Package guidelines allow it.
If you have a current qualification from another RTO that you wish to seek credit for (towards a course offered by NBMC) you can apply to the College for recognition of this achievement, including Credit Transfer where appropriate. You will be required to give permission to NBMC to verify the authenticity of the qualifications provided by contacting the issuing Registered Training Organisation or by checking your Unique Student Identifier records.
You must make this application within one week of the commencement of the course.
Credit Transfer may only be awarded for whole units of competence that meet the packaging rules of the Qualification they are enrolled in. Where a mapping guide identified a partial credit, this will not be considered for credit transfer, and the applicant will be advised to seek RPL.
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: https://www.usi.gov.au/students/get-a-usi . 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.
If you’d like to continue on from the Diploma of Counselling (CHC51015) and work professionally as a counsellor, there are several great pathways to explore. Many students move into a Bachelor of Counselling, with the Diploma often counting as credit towards the degree — meaning you may complete it faster and pay less overall. Down the track, you could also progress to a Master’s in counselling to further expand your skills and expertise. Short courses with organisations like Lifeline and other community providers are another excellent way to gain extra training and experience in the field.
To work as a counsellor in Australia, you’ll also need to register with a recognised counselling association, which supports your professional standing and ongoing development in the industry.
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
Enjoy smaller class sizes, a personalised relationship with your trainer, face-to face teaching sessions and qualifications that may include real life work experience, when you choose to study at Northern Beaches & Mosman College. (NBMC)
With classes available across the Northern Beaches and Lower North Shore in 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.
The NSW and Federal Governments have signed an agreement to deliver more fee free vocational education places in NSW in 2025 and 2026. Funding is being rolled out in stages and for priority qualifications. The next funding period is for training to commence between 1 January 2026 and 1 June 2026.
To be eligible you must be:
If you meet the above criteria, along with the Course Entry Requirements, you can apply to study this course fee free (includes course resources). Fee-free places are subject to availability and cannot be guaranteed.
NOTE: NSW Fee Free applications for Semester 1 2026 are limited. Where NSW Fee Free applications are exhausted applications for subsidised enrolments under the Smart & Skilled Program are still being accepted. See fee structure below. No payment required until application has been approved.
This training is subsidised by the NSW Government.
For further information, please contact Nadia Louw, Training Coordinator at nadia@nbmc.nsw.edu.au or phone 9970 1008.
| Title | Fee |
| Concession | N/A |
| If no prior post school qualification | $4420 |
| If a post school qualification has previously been completed | $4970 |
| Not eligible for Smart & Skilled | $10000 |
Payment options for this course are as follows:
*Enrolment instalment is payable on acceptance into the course.
Note: If not eligible for Smart and Skilled, payment will be by instalments of no more than $1500. Please contact the College for payment options.
Below are our available intakes to the CHC51015 Diploma of Counselling. Select the intake you wish to enrol into and complete the Online Enrolment Form
| Name | Course Start Date | Course End Date | Apply |
| 2026 Term 2: Wed 5.30pm to 8.30pm Virtual Classroom (some sessions held at Brookvale Campus) Trainer: Susanna Papagna | 20/05/2026 | 28/07/2027 | Click here |
Find out if you are eligible for Government Funding with our easy to using Funding Eligibility Calculator.
If you have any questions related to the CHC51015 Diploma of Counselling please enquire here. Alternatively you can email one of our course-cordinators here