Graduate Certificate of Counselling
Blended learning – on-campus and digital learning
The Graduate Certificate of Counselling provides students with training in the theory and practice of counselling. The course is designed for students who are seeking to develop counselling skills for their current employment in fields such as nursing, social work, pastoral care and teaching. Students are equipped with a range of counselling skills that can be applied across work settings, client types and cultural groups.
Every international student application is considered for a scholarship
Whether you’re living in Australia or overseas, you’re automatically considered for a scholarship of up to 20% off your course fees. Please check our updated entry requirements.
Duration
6 Month/s
Fees
Contact Executive Counselling and Training Academy*
The indicative course fees shown in Course Search apply to international students for the relevant year only. They are based on a standard study load per year. However, please note that fees are assessed according to a student's study load in each semester, and variation to study load will result in an adjustment to tuition fees. All fees are subject to annual review and may be adjusted.
Course information in detail
- Course detail, course structure and units of study.
Course description
International students in Australia who hold student visas are required to study full-time and on campus. Courses that are taught entirely online are only available to international students studying outside Australia or those in Australia who are not on a student visa. Online courses are not available to international students in Australia who hold a student visa.
Course structure
Maximum Academic Credit
The maximum level of credit that can be granted for the Graduate Certificate of Counselling is 25 credit points (normally two units)
Units of study
Careers and graduate outcomes
- Career opportunities, course aims and objectives and professional recognition.
Career opportunities
Graduates may work in a range of professional settings, including community and mental health, private practice, social work, grief counselling, pastoral care and mediation.
Aims and objectives
- exercise independent judgement relevant to counselling theory and practice in the field of human services counselling, couple counselling and forensic counselling
- initiate, plan, implement and evaluate basic counselling interventions with a range of client groups and presentations across the lifespan
- apply basic and more advanced skills to work therapeutically with a range of clients in human services and couple counselling contexts using counselling methods and techniques that are drawn from different evidence-based approaches, all of which emphasise the important role of assessment, empathy, the therapeutic relationship, ethical decision making and professional supervision
- reflect on, and take responsibility for, their own learning and self-management processes in relation to counselling work with clients that promotes self-reflection and the development as a professional counsellor in a human services, couple counselling or forensic context.

Professional recognition
May be eligible to apply for membership to the Australian Counselling Association (ACA), PACFA, and the Australian Association for Relationship Counsellors.
The Swinburne experience
- Study abroad.

Study abroad opportunities
Course fees and requirements
- Fees, entry requirements and English language requirements.
Course fees
Entry requirements
A prerequisite for many courses, the Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) can now be done on campus in Hawthorn at Room 132, Building TD. Book now or call +61 3 9214 3584 for more information.
English language requirements
Satisfactory completion of one of the following:
- IELTS overall band of 6.5 (Academic Module) with no individual band below 6.0
- Swinburne’s English for Academic Purposes (EAP 5 Advanced level) with overall 70%, all skills 65%
- Or equivalent measures available at English language requirements.
How to apply
Application forms are available from the Executive Counselling and Training Academy, Singapore.
Find out more
210 Middle Road
#07-02 Singapore Pools Building
Singapore 188994
Email: info@ecta.edu.sg