The CHC51015 Diploma of Counselling course is a nationally recognised qualification which will prepare you to work as a Counsellor in a community service organisation. You will develop micro counselling and interview skills and be competent to apply various case management and counselling therapies to meet a range of client needs. Some students who have enrolled in this counselling course now work as Case Workers and Counsellors in community service centres. Other students have used this course as a stepping stone to gain entry into university.
This qualification consists of 13 core units and 4 elective units. On application, you will be asked to select 4 electives that would meet your vocational needs. We have listed all the units below to help you to make an informed choice if you decide to apply for this course.
This qualification is for people looking to work in counselling and who want to work with clients on personal and psychological issues. At this level, a counsellor will be working in defined and supported counselling roles in established agencies rather than in independent practice.
CHCCCS019 Recognise and respond to crisis situations
CHCCSL001 Establish and confirm the counselling relationship
CHCCSL002 Apply specialist interpersonal and counselling interview skills
CHCCSL003 Facilitate the counselling relationship and process
CHCCSL004 Research and apply personality and development theories
CHCCSL005 Apply learning theories in counselling
CHCCSL006 Select and use counselling therapies
CHCCSL007 Support counselling clients in decision-making processes
CHCCSM005 Develop, facilitate and review all aspects of case management
CHCDIV001 Work with diverse people
CHCDIV002 Promote Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultural safety
CHCLEG001 Work legally and ethically
CHCPRP003 Reflect on and improve own professional practice
CHCCCS017 Provide loss and grief support
CHCDEV004 Confirm developmental status
CHCDFV001 Recognise and respond appropriately to domestic and family violence
CHCYTH013 Engage respectfully with young people
The CHC51015 Diploma of Counselling is studied over a 2-year period. Due dates for each assessment have been scheduled throughout the course to assist you to keep on track within the maximum time frame allowed. Should you have challenges completing within the allocated time frames, extensions are available on request. You will find this and more information in the Student Handbook.
As part of your application, you will be asked to complete a Language, Literacy, Numeracy and Digital Skills evaluation to demonstrate that you can apply yourself to this level of study (if you have evidence of prior study this evaluation may be waived) and a Pre-Enrolment interview (online) prior to enrolment to demonstrate that you can apply yourself to the Diploma level of study, which will be arranged upon receipt of your complete application.
In addition, you will need to participate in a weekly online workshop facilitated by your trainer. These workshops are designed to provide an opportunity for you to ask questions, receive topical training, and connect with fellow students in the counselling program. Once you submit your application, our training team will provide additional details about workshop times and intake dates.
We have specific training and assessment pathways for students who are employed or who volunteer in the community services sector and a training and assessment pathway for students who have no experience working in the community. On application, you will be asked to nominate your preferred pathway to enable us to develop your Training and Assessment Plan with your work and lived experience in mind. You can also apply for Recognition of your Prior Learning (RPL) or request a Credit Transfer if you have completed a specific unit previously. This is explained in depth in the Student Handbook.
For each unit of competency, you will be asked to complete a range of assessment tasks that will demonstrate your knowledge and skills on the topic being assessed. These assessment tasks may include questions, written reports, case study analysis, workplace examples and practical demonstrations of your skills. The practical demonstration of your skills will often involve you role playing a scenario that simulates a particular role in the workplace.
On submission of your assessment tasks, we aim to provide you with feedback within 7 working days. This time frame may be extended during school holiday periods. If your work requires more input or extra content, you will be given extra time to submit.
On enrolment, you will be allocated a qualified trainer with current experience in the counselling and community services sector. As this course is delivered online, we offer a range of opportunities for you to engage with your allocated trainer where you can ask questions, gain clarification around the content of the course or the assessment tasks and receive training and support.
You will be required to attend compulsory weekly online workshop facilitated by your trainer. These workshops are designed to focus on the units and topics you are enrolled in and are an opportunity to meet and interact with other students, gain further insight and practice applying your learning using case studies based on real life scenarios. If there are instances where you cannot attend one or more of the sessions, you will be allocated activities to complete in your own time to ensure you are not falling behind with your studies.
If you would like more information or assistance on the selection of your electives, the range of learner support we offer, RPL guidance or the interactive workshops we offer, please contact us to book an online individual session with a training consultant. These online individual sessions are available before you enrol and during your study with us.
Your training and assessment resources are stored in our online platform and can be accessed when you are connected to the internet. This flexibility helps to fit your study around your work and family commitments whilst remaining within your allocated time frame. You can also print the online resources if you prefer a hard copy resource tool.
You will need to have a device to access the internet and a camera for videoing your roleplay assessments. You will also need an email address where we can send you instructions and updates on your studies. Further information about this is in the Student Handbook.
Yes, RPL is a great way to gain the qualification you need through an assessment process that assesses your current skills and knowledge by recognising prior and current experience and pointing it towards an industry-recognised qualification. Whether you have acquired these skills and knowledge from informal training, work history or formal training, NTS offers you an assessment pathway that utilises and recognises your prior learning without completing the whole course. You will be able to choose the option of RPL on the application form when applying.
Visit our RPL page on this website for more information.
Yes, Credit Transfer is a great way to gain recognition for units from qualifications you’ve already completed. If you have previously studied a unit (the unit code and title must be an exact match) and have a valid copy of Academic Transcript / Record of Results or Statement of Attainment, you may be eligible to receive credit for those completed units. This means you won’t need to repeat the same learning, saving you time and effort. You can select the Credit Transfer option on the application form when applying.
Visit the Credit page of this website for more information.
For students who qualify for NSW Smart and Skilled funding, it's important to be aware that there is a limited number of places. You can visit our Smart and Skilled page on this website for more information.
If you satisfy the requirements of the whole qualification you will receive a Diploma and a transcript of your results. If you complete one or more units but not the full qualification you will receive a Statement of Attainment listing the units you have completed.
Yes, you can call National Training Solutions on 1300 161 844, Monday to Friday 9 am to 4 pm. Our staff will be on hand to take your call and may also refer you to an industry trainer who can answer questions on the course content.
To apply for this course you will need to meet with the trainer in a pre-enrolment interview (online), which will be arranged upon receipt of your complete application.
In addition, you will need to participate in a weekly online workshop facilitated by your trainer. These workshops are designed to provide an opportunity for you to ask questions, receive topical training, and connect with fellow students in the counselling program. Once you submit your application, our training team will provide additional details about workshop times and intake dates.
You can apply by using the 'apply now' button above. Follow the instructions to complete the online application forms. Please read our course information in conjunction with the NTS Student Handbook.
