CHC51015 Diploma of Counselling

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

Northern Beaches and Mosman College is an approved ATMS Recognised Provider of Natural Medicine Education for CHC51015 Diploma of Counselling. ATMS is proud of the high educational standards it has established as a benchmark for its membership. Students who are enrolled with NBMC in the in above accredited course will get FREE Student membership with ATMS.

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

What you need to know

• The College offers part time day and evening courses. The course is delivered over a period of 12 months. 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.
• 17 units of competency must be successfully completed to achieve this qualification.  (Note: the list 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
• Students enrolling must have access to the following.
  • A laptop / computer
  • The internet
  • A scanner, or a scanner app downloaded on their smart phone:

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.
• You will receive clear assessment instructions and an opportunity will be provided for resubmission of assessments if required.

Virtual Classroom

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:

• A basic understanding of how to use Microsoft Teams.
• Access to a computer, iPad/tablet, or smartphone; and
• A webcam* so your trainer can see you; and
• A microphone* so you can participate in discussions; and
• A reliable internet connection.

*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.

Pathway To Further Training

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.

To Enrol or for more information

• Commence the enrolment process by completing the online application. On receipt of an application, our Training Coordinator will be in touch to progress your enrolment.
• Contact Nadia Louw on 9970 1008 or email nadia@nbmc.nsw.edu.au for further information.

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.

• 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.
• Students may need to obtain a current National Police Check and/or Working with Children Check prior to commencement of work placement (dependent on workplace organisation requirements).
• Completion of the Applicant Questionnaire and Applicant Code of Conduct.
• Unique Student Identifier (see information below).
• Provide current evidence of your identity including: Photo ID, proof of age, citizenship/residency/eligible visa, and proof of living or working in NSW.  For a full list of eligible documents please view our Identification Documents page.
• 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.
• 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.

• 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.

For full qualification courses NBMC has several payment options for students to choose from.  Please discuss your preference with the Training Coordinator during the enrolment process.

Course Cost is Less than $1500

1. In full at time of enrolment; or
2. By two (2) instalments – half on enrolment and half midway through the course; or
3. Interest-free payment plan paying $240 on enrolment, followed by fortnightly direct debit payments by Visa or MasterCard (an initial admin charge of $10 will be added for direct debit set up)

Course Cost is between $1501 and $3000

1. By two (2) instalments – half on enrolment and half midway through the course; or
2. Interest-free payment plan paying $240 on enrolment, followed by fortnightly direct debit payments by Visa or MasterCard (an initial admin charge of $10 will be added for direct debit set up)

Course Cost is over $3000*

1. By three (3) instalments – first instalment on enrolment, instalments 2 and 3 approximately every 3 months, depending on length of course; or
2. Interest-free payment plan paying $500 on enrolment, followed by fortnightly direct debit payments by Visa or MasterCard (an initial admin charge of $20 will be added for direct debit set up)

Please Note:

• In full or instalment payments can be made by Visa, MasterCard, electronic funds transfer, cheque, cash or BPay at our Brookvale Campus.
• Direct Debt fortnightly payments can be made using Visa or MasterCard
• Full payment, first instalment or $240/$500 must be paid on enrolment – enrolments cannot proceed unless initial payment is made.

*If not eligible for Smart and Skilled, payment will be by instalments of no more than $1500 each.  Please contact the College for payment options.

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.

This is a means of measuring skills acquired through work or life experiences, or through qualifications obtained from formal studies or training.

There are two options for recognising prior learning:

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

This is an assessment process to evaluate skills and knowledge gained through work experience, life experience or non-accredited training.

Credit Transfer (CT)

This is recognition of current qualifications/units of competency previously gained through a Registered Training Organisation (RTO).

For more information please head to our Recognition of Prior Learning page.

Please advise our Training Coordinator during your initial telephone or in-person meeting if you require additional learning support. This allows a support plan to be developed before you commence your course. Support services may be available for students with a disability, impairment or long-term condition, and/or learning, language, literacy or numeracy difficulties. As outlined in the Terms and Conditions of Enrolment, students are encouraged to contact the College at the time of enrolment to confirm whether appropriate support can be provided for their individual needs.

Throughout your studies, you may experience personal challenges that could affect your enrolment. This may include stress at home, difficulties at work, financial pressures, or other personal issues. Our Wellness Coordinator is available to assist as needed. If you are experiencing stress or facing personal difficulties, please inform your Trainer or Training Coordinator, who can refer you to the Wellness Coordinator.

All conversations with the Wellness Coordinator remain confidential unless disclosure is required by law or you provide consent for relevant information to be shared with your Trainer.  Counselling offers a confidential space where you can discuss concerns that may be impacting your academic performance or mental health and wellbeing. All NBMC counselling services are free and available to all students. Please note that counselling at NBMC is short-term; if you require ongoing or long-term support, we can provide details for an appropriate external provider.

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.

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 go to our Trainer & Assessor page to view our trainer’s bios.