Bachelor of Counselling
Program code
1548
Available at
Nathan
Gold Coast
Mount Gravatt
Logan
South Bank
Online
Offshore
Other
Duration
3 years full-time
Credit points
240
Indicative fee
$34,000.00* per year (more)
* 2025 indicative annual fee
Important Notes
Brisbane South (Nathan) will be offered from Trimester 2 2025.
About this program
Meet the demand for caring professionals to support the wellbeing of individuals, families and communities
Gain the theoretical knowledge and applied skills to register and practice as a professional counsellor. You'll be ready to work in a broad range of counselling organisations, supporting people to resolve their personal, work or relationship problems.
Working in counselling involves guiding and empowering people to develop self-understanding and make changes in their lives in order to accomplish mental health, wellness, education, and career goals.
You'll gain counselling skills and advanced theoretical knowledge by completing courses in counselling theory and practice, therapeutic interventions, group facilitation, career counselling, positive psychology, lifespan development, professional ethics and case management.
As healthcare changes and mental health awareness and understanding continue to grow, you'll learn through interprofessional collaborative teaching and learning and will be equipped to help create a healthier future for all.
Professional placements
Put your skills into practice and support the community while you study through clinical placements, either at our on-campus clinics, or one of the many leading healthcare providers we partner with.
Professional experience is built into the Bachelor of Counselling, with off-campus counselling training to prepare you for placement opportunities. This degree includes an internship and finishes with two counselling placements where you'll work with real clients in counselling organisations.
Practising teachers
You'll learn from practising experts who are contributing to some of Australia's most crucial research projects at our Griffith Centre for Mental Health, addressing key issues such as youth mental health, parenting and family interventions.
Attendance information
The Bachelor of Counselling is offered full-time and part-time on campus. You may choose to study courses at other campuses if or where the program structure allows. As a full-time student you will generally attend 10-15 hours of scheduled classes per week throughout the trimester. Classes may be scheduled during the day and evening throughout the week.
If you are an International student on a student visa, you must ensure that you enrol in a way that will allow you to complete your enrolment within the expected program duration as stated on your Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE).
Managing Study Interruptions
Leave of AbsenceTaking a leave of absence from this program is permitted, subject to conditions outlined in the Enrolment Procedure.
Work-integrated learning
Work-integrated learning activities (professional placements) integrate theoretical learning with its application in the workplace. The inclusion of work-integrated learning activities in the degree program demonstrates Griffith's commitment to preparing its graduates for success in their working life, while meeting accreditation requirements as part of the Australian Counselling Association (ACA) and Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia ( PACFA) Training Standards.
In this program students will spend time in the work/professional environment undertaking placements at various locations throughout Brisbane metropolitan/Gold Coast area. Students placements are typically scheduled 1-3 days per week and during typical working hours 9am to 5pm. Total work placement (hours): 280.
My career opportunities
Griffith has a well-earned reputation for producing highly sought-after graduates in the health sector and beyond.
You'll be qualified to work in general counselling, as well as areas such as alcohol and other drugs counselling, youth, family and relationship counselling, or as a correctional counsellor, grief counsellor, and telephone and crisis support counsellor. You can also pursue further studies or training towards becoming a career counsellor, rehabilitation counsellor, guidance counsellor, and mediator.
Program accreditation
The Bachelor of Counselling is accredited by the Australian Counselling Association (ACA) and the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA)
Professional recognition
Graduates are eligible for membership with the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA) and the Australian Counselling Association (ACA). Graduates can also register as a counsellor with the Australian Register of Counsellors and Psychotherapists (ARCAP).
Professional Practice requirements
There are placements associated with this program and before undertaking professional experience placements, all students in this program are required to have completed the following by the end of their first trimester of study:
- Vaccinations and Health Tests
- Licenses and Certificates
- Online Training
- Health Placement Requirements
Students should refer to the checklist of professional practice requirements for their Health discipline on the Health Placement Support Hub for full details of the requirements regarding professional placement to ensure that they meet eligibility for placement.
Pathways to further study
You may be eligible to apply for the Graduate Diploma of Health Research (4161) if you meet the admission requirements.
International students
An International student is one who is not:
- an Australian or New Zealand citizen or
- a Pacific Engagement visa holder or
- a person who has Australian permanent resident status.
Indicative annual tuition fee
The indicative annual tuition fee is calculated based on a standard full-time study load which is usually 80 credit points (two full-time trimesters).
The indicative annual tuition fee is based on current conditions and available data and should only be used as a guide. These fees are reviewed annually and are subject to change.
Tuition fees
- An International student pays tuition fees.
- Students are liable for tuition fees for the courses they are enrolled in as at the census date.
- The tuition fee is charged according to the approved program fee for the trimester in which the student is enrolled.
Program fees for the Bachelor of Counselling (1548)
If the fee rate for your program is not displayed above, please contact Student Connect for assistance.
Changing programs
If an International student changes to a different program they will be subject to the approved program fee for the trimester in which they are enrolled.
Permanent resident status
If an undergraduate student obtains permanent resident status in Australia after commencing study in a program, and the student can provide evidence of permanent resident status prior to the census date (of the trimester in which they are enrolled), the student will be provided with a domestic fee-paying place.
The student may then apply for a Commonwealth supported place at the next admission period provided that the student satisfies the conditions for transfer from a domestic fee-paying place to a Commonwealth supported place as set out in the Fees and Charges Procedure.
If a postgraduate student obtains permanent resident status in Australia after commencing study in a program, and the student can provide evidence of permanent resident status prior to the census date (of the trimester in which they are enrolled), the student will automatically be considered for a Commonwealth supported place (subject to availability) or a domestic fee-paying place as applicable for the program.
If a research student obtains permanent resident status in Australia after commencing study in a program, and the student can provide evidence of permanent resident status prior to the census date (of the trimester in which they are enrolled), the student will automatically be considered for a Commonwealth Government Research Training Program (RTP) Fee Offset or a domestic fee-paying place as applicable for the program.
Further information
- Fees and Charges Procedure
- 3.6 - Fees for International Students
- 3.9 - Administrative and Miscellaneous Charges
- Cost of studying in Australia
Additional fee information
Throughout your program you may be required to pay for the following items:
first aid certificate; immunisations; National Police check; expenses associated with placements such as travel.