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Graduate Diploma in Counselling (SCG401.1)
Please note these are the 2025 details for this course
| Selection rank | Delivery mode | Location | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| PG | Online Plus |
UC - Canberra, Online |
1.4 years |
| Faculty | Discipline(s) | Available teaching periods | UAC code |
| Faculty of Health | Discipline of Counselling |
View teaching periods | |
| Fees | English language requirements | ||
|
|
View requirements | ||
English language requirements
There are non-standard English language requirements for this course. To be eligible you must have an overall IELTS Academic score (or equivalent) of 7.0, with no band score below 7.0. For alternate/equivalent ways of meeting the English requirements for this course please view the English Proficiency Requirements document on the university website.
Delivery mode
Blended: Mixture of online and on campus units are available.
On campus: Units are delivered on campus.
Online: All units are online.
Online Plus: Units are available online, except where attendance at a physical location is required for placement or professional accreditation.
Location
All course material is developed and delivered via the location listed. Online units do not require on campus attendance.
Selection rank
The selection rank is the minimum ATAR plus adjustment factors required for admission to the program in the previous year. This is an indicative guide only as ranks change each year depending on demand.
Fees disclaimer
Annual fee rates
The fees shown are the annual fee rates for the course. The annual rate is the fee that applies to standard full-time enrolment, which is 24 credit points. The final fee charged is based on the proportion of 24 credit points in which a student enrols. Students enrolled in a Commonwealth Support Place (CSP) are required to make a contribution towards the cost of their education, which is set by the Commonwealth Government. Information on Commonwealth Supported Places, HECS-HELP and how fees are calculated can be found here.
Please note: Course fees are assessed annually and are subject to change.
| Academic entry requirements | Delivery mode | Location | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.4 years | |||
| Faculty | Discipline(s) | Available teaching periods | CRICOS code |
| Faculty of Health | Discipline of Counselling |
View teaching periods | |
| Fees | English language requirements | ||
|
|
View requirements | ||
Fees disclaimer
Annual fee rates
The fees shown are the annual fee rates for the course. The annual rate is the fee that applies to standard full-time enrolment, which is 24 credit points. The final fee charged is based on the proportion of 24 credit points in which a student enrols. Information on how fees are calculated can be found here.
Please note: Course fees are assessed annually and are subject to change.
Delivery mode
Blended: Mixture of online and on campus units are available.
On campus: Units are delivered on campus.
Online: All units are online.
Online Plus: Units are available online, except where attendance at a physical location is required for placement or professional accreditation.
English language requirements
There are non-standard English language requirements for this course. To be eligible you must have an overall IELTS Academic score (or equivalent) of 7.0, with no band score below 7.0. For alternate/equivalent ways of meeting the English requirements for this course please view the English Proficiency Requirements document on the university website.
Location
All course material is developed and delivered via the location listed. Online units do not require on campus attendance.
Academic entry requirements
To study at UC, you’ll need to meet our academic entry requirements and any admission requirements specific to your course. Please read your course admission requirements below. To find out whether you meet UC’s academic entry requirements, visit our academic entry requirements page.
This course is a professional qualification in counselling, offering a flexible pathway for entry-level 'helping professionals'. Studying in a supportive learning environment with a focus on skills development, students will:
- Learn the skills to identify challenges in the counselling field and implement ethical and realistic solutions
- Communicate knowledge, ideas, and opinions effectively within a range of cultural and interdisciplinary contexts
- Gain an understanding of the principles of ethical and professional practice and respect all aspects of diversity
- Demonstrate a critical understanding of major theories, models and techniques specific to counselling
- Display a high level of understanding of major evidence-based research theory and current practices in the field of counselling and psychotherapy. With a focus on experiential learning, the student will be offered a counselling placement, participate in small group supervision and a five day face-to-face residential.
This course includes a compulsory placement of 105 hours. Students will be expected to travel up to 1.5 hours to attend a placement, or in the case of regional and remote students, may need to travel further or potentially relocate for the duration of the placement if one cannot be secured in their area. In addition to the placement requirements, students will be required to attend a 5-day intensive workshop in person. The location of this is to be determined, with an on-campus site being certain.
Online with a Placement Opportunity
Our Graduate Diploma in Counselling further develops your counselling skills with practical, in-person experience, support and feedback from academics. The course will extend and expand your counselling skills and deepen your knowledge and theoretical understanding of trauma, loss and grief, and its impact on people's lives. Click through to download our course brochure to learn more about our online Graduate Diploma in Counselling.
Professional accreditation
The course is recognised as a professional qualification in counselling and accredited by the Australian Counselling Association (ACA), in line with their Professional Training Standards.
Admission to this course is competitive. Applications will be assessed on the basis of academic merit, work experience and the number of available places.
Applicants must:
1. have an undergraduate or postgraduate degree in any discipline.
No Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) will be offered for any units included in this course.
We recommend that students progressing to this course from the Graduate Certificate in Counselling (SCC401) complete the four Graduate Certificate units before progressing to the Graduate Diploma or Master to ensure a smooth enrolment transition.
Additional admission requirements
Students are required to undergo a National Police check and relevant state-based checks (i.e. Working with Vulnerable People Check, Working With Children Check) as required by each placement agency in order to be accepted for each unit that includes a placement.
Assumed knowledge
None.
Periods course is open for new admissions
| Year | Location | Teaching period | Teaching start date | Domestic | International |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | UC - Canberra, Online | Study Block 1 | 20 January 2025 | ||
| 2025 | UC - Canberra, Online | Study Block 2 | 17 March 2025 | ||
| 2025 | UC - Canberra, Online | Study Block 3 | 12 May 2025 | ||
| 2025 | UC - Canberra, Online | Study Block 4 | 07 July 2025 | ||
| 2025 | UC - Canberra, Online | Study Block 5 | 01 September 2025 | ||
| 2025 | UC - Canberra, Online | Study Block 6 | 27 October 2025 | ||
| 2026 | UC - Canberra, Online | Study Block 1 | 19 January 2026 | ||
| 2026 | UC - Canberra, Online | Study Block 2 | 16 March 2026 | ||
| 2026 | UC - Canberra, Online | Study Block 3 | 11 May 2026 | ||
| 2026 | UC - Canberra, Online | Study Block 4 | 06 July 2026 | ||
| 2026 | UC - Canberra, Online | Study Block 5 | 31 August 2026 | ||
| 2026 | UC - Canberra, Online | Study Block 6 | 26 October 2026 |
Credit arrangements
A credit transfer arrangement is available for this course for the following institutions:
University Of Canberra
Graduate Diploma in Counselling (SCG401) | 24 credit points
In addition to course requirements, in order to successfully complete your course you must meet the inherent requirements. Please refer to the inherent requirements statement applicable to your course
Course duration
The standard duration for this course is one year and 14 weeks (8 Study Blocks). The maximum duration is four years.
Learning outcomes
| Learning outcomes | Related graduate attributes |
|---|---|
| Apply reflective practice in personal and professional development. | UC graduates are professional: Employ up-to-date and relevant knowledge and skills; use creativity, critical thinking, analysis and research skills to solve theoretical and real-world problems; display initiative and drive, and use their organisational skills to plan and manage their workload; and take pride in their professional and personal integrity. UC graduates are global citizens: Understand issues in their profession from the perspective of other cultures; communicate effectively in diverse cultural and social settings; make creative use of technology in their learning and professional lives; and behave ethically and sustainably in their professional and personal lives. UC graduates are lifelong learners: Reflect on their own practice, updating and adapting their knowledge and skills for continual professional and academic development; be self-aware; and adapt to complexity, ambiguity and change by being flexible and keen to engage with new ideas. |
| Evaluate literature in relevant fields to inform professional practice and support pathways to further learning. | UC graduates are professional: Employ up-to-date and relevant knowledge and skills; communicate effectively; use creativity, critical thinking, analysis and research skills to solve theoretical and real-world problems; display initiative and drive, and use their organisational skills to plan and manage their workload; and take pride in their professional and personal integrity. UC graduates are global citizens: Understand issues in their profession from the perspective of other cultures; communicate effectively in diverse cultural and social settings; and behave ethically and sustainably in their professional and personal lives. UC graduates are lifelong learners: Reflect on their own practice, updating and adapting their knowledge and skills for continual professional and academic development; adapt to complexity, ambiguity and change by being flexible and keen to engage with new ideas; and evaluate and adopt new technology. UC graduates are able to demonstrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ways of knowing, being and doing: Use local Indigenous histories and traditional ecological knowledge to develop and augment understanding of their discipline; and apply their knowledge to working with Indigenous Australians in socially just ways. |
| Communicate relevant professional knowledge effectively and respectfully to a variety of audiences and in different formats. | UC graduates are professional: Employ up-to-date and relevant knowledge and skills; communicate effectively; use creativity, critical thinking, analysis and research skills to solve theoretical and real-world problems; work collaboratively as part of a team, negotiate, and resolve conflict; display initiative and drive, and use their organisational skills to plan and manage their workload; and take pride in their professional and personal integrity. UC graduates are global citizens: Think globally about issues in their profession; adopt an informed and balanced approach across professional and international boundaries; understand issues in their profession from the perspective of other cultures; communicate effectively in diverse cultural and social settings; and behave ethically and sustainably in their professional and personal lives. UC graduates are lifelong learners: Reflect on their own practice, updating and adapting their knowledge and skills for continual professional and academic development; adapt to complexity, ambiguity and change by being flexible and keen to engage with new ideas; and evaluate and adopt new technology. UC graduates are able to demonstrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ways of knowing, being and doing: Use local Indigenous histories and traditional ecological knowledge to develop and augment understanding of their discipline; communicate and engage with Indigenous Australians in ethical and culturally respectful ways; and apply their knowledge to working with Indigenous Australians in socially just ways. |
| Demonstrate discipline specific theoretical knowledge and skill-based practice. | UC graduates are professional: Employ up-to-date and relevant knowledge and skills; communicate effectively; use creativity, critical thinking, analysis and research skills to solve theoretical and real-world problems; work collaboratively as part of a team, negotiate, and resolve conflict; display initiative and drive, and use their organisational skills to plan and manage their workload; and take pride in their professional and personal integrity. UC graduates are global citizens: Think globally about issues in their profession; adopt an informed and balanced approach across professional and international boundaries; understand issues in their profession from the perspective of other cultures; communicate effectively in diverse cultural and social settings; make creative use of technology in their learning and professional lives; and behave ethically and sustainably in their professional and personal lives. UC graduates are lifelong learners: Reflect on their own practice, updating and adapting their knowledge and skills for continual professional and academic development; be self-aware; and adapt to complexity, ambiguity and change by being flexible and keen to engage with new ideas. UC graduates are able to demonstrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ways of knowing, being and doing: Use local Indigenous histories and traditional ecological knowledge to develop and augment understanding of their discipline; communicate and engage with Indigenous Australians in ethical and culturally respectful ways; and apply their knowledge to working with Indigenous Australians in socially just ways. |
| Demonstrate collaborative skills and initiative. | UC graduates are professional: Employ up-to-date and relevant knowledge and skills; work collaboratively as part of a team, negotiate, and resolve conflict; display initiative and drive, and use their organisational skills to plan and manage their workload; and take pride in their professional and personal integrity. UC graduates are global citizens: Think globally about issues in their profession; communicate effectively in diverse cultural and social settings; make creative use of technology in their learning and professional lives; and behave ethically and sustainably in their professional and personal lives. UC graduates are lifelong learners: Reflect on their own practice, updating and adapting their knowledge and skills for continual professional and academic development; be self-aware; and adapt to complexity, ambiguity and change by being flexible and keen to engage with new ideas. |
| Demonstrate ethical awareness and professional conduct in the context of the counselling profession and its obligations to diversity, communities and society. | UC graduates are professional: Employ up-to-date and relevant knowledge and skills; communicate effectively; use creativity, critical thinking, analysis and research skills to solve theoretical and real-world problems; work collaboratively as part of a team, negotiate, and resolve conflict; display initiative and drive, and use their organisational skills to plan and manage their workload; and take pride in their professional and personal integrity. UC graduates are global citizens: Think globally about issues in their profession; adopt an informed and balanced approach across professional and international boundaries; understand issues in their profession from the perspective of other cultures; communicate effectively in diverse cultural and social settings; make creative use of technology in their learning and professional lives; and behave ethically and sustainably in their professional and personal lives. UC graduates are lifelong learners: Reflect on their own practice, updating and adapting their knowledge and skills for continual professional and academic development; be self-aware; and adapt to complexity, ambiguity and change by being flexible and keen to engage with new ideas. UC graduates are able to demonstrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ways of knowing, being and doing: Use local Indigenous histories and traditional ecological knowledge to develop and augment understanding of their discipline; communicate and engage with Indigenous Australians in ethical and culturally respectful ways; and apply their knowledge to working with Indigenous Australians in socially just ways. |
Placements requirements
IMPORTANT COURSE INFORMATION This course includes a compulsory placement of 105 hours. Students will be expected to travel up to 1.5 hours to attend a placement, or in the case of regional and remote students, may need to travel further or potentially relocate for the duration of the placement if one cannot be secured in their area. In addition to the placement requirements, students will be required to attend a 5-day intensive workshop in person. The location of this is to be determined, with an on-campus site being certain.
Awards
| Award | Official abbreviation |
|---|---|
| Graduate Diploma in Counselling | GradDip Couns |
Alternative exits
SCC401 Graduate Certificate in Counselling and SCM401 Master of Counselling. For details see the individual course entries.
Enrolment data
2023 enrolments for this course by location. Please note that enrolment numbers are indicative only and in no way reflect individual class sizes.
| Location | Enrolments |
|---|---|
| UC - Canberra, Online | 148 |
Enquiries
| Student category | Contact details |
|---|---|
| Prospective Students | Email: study@canberra.edu.au or Phone: 1800 UNI CAN (1800 864 226) |
| Current and Commencing Students | Email: Health.Student@canberra.edu.au |
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