As it is important that students attend tutorials whenever they can, our academics deliver live tutorials across the week at times designed to suit student's busy lives. Tutorials are recorded so they can be watched anytime, anywhere.

Our Master of Counselling course is recognised as a professional qualification in counselling and accredited by the Australian Counselling Association (ACA), in line with their Professional Training Standards. ACA has a primary objective of registering counsellors and psychotherapists to ensure the public has access to appropriately trained professionals who are accountable and meet self-regulating industry standards. As counselling isn't legally regulated, your professional accreditation will help to provide security and peace of mind for your clients.

One of the means by which ACA ensures practitioners meet appropriate standards is by ensuring they have appropriate training. Therefore, the five-day intensive workshop is made compulsory to ensure your ACA accreditation. This is a great opportunity to meet and work with your colleagues face to face. You will enjoy a small on-campus experience and have access to University accommodation.

Unfortunately, we cannot offer RPL – work experience that is deemed equivalent to study – due to our ACA-alignment. You need to learn the exact content required for you to attain your ACA accreditation. Having said that, credit may be granted for prior study as deemed equivalent by the University. This is determined on a case by case basis. You can read about our credit transfer policy here.

When you’re connected to the University, you’re connected to an inspiring community of teachers and learners in our nation’s capital. We have created forums for you to interact and network with other students, which you can access within your online learning environment. We’ve invested in online learning to make it intuitive, user-friendly, straightforward and seamless. The result is a postgraduate experience with the same quality of education and connection with students as traditional on-campus study.

In exceptional circumstances it may be possible for the University to approve a placement greater than 2-3 days per week, however this is dependent on the availability within your placement agency and cannot be guaranteed. Please consider this will have an impact on your assessment and support in the unit. Also note that as placement is tied to a unit, this will not have any impact on the finishing date of the unit itself.

Absolutely. With UC's online Master of Counselling, you will gain practical skills recognised by industry experts - preparing you to make a real impact in the growing field of mental healthcare. UC's Master of Counselling course equips you with the tools and strategies to make a tangible difference in the lives of individuals and communities.

With a Master of Counselling from UC, you're equipped to undertake a range of fulfilling roles in mental health and wellbeing. Whether you aspire to work as a counsellor, therapist, mental health advocate, community support worker, or organisational consultant, our comprehensive program prepares you to excel in various settings. You'll develop the skills to provide respectful and inclusive counselling support, enabling you to guide individuals through challenges and empower them to lead fulfilling lives.

The demand for qualified counsellors in Australia is steadily increasing, driven by heightened awareness of mental health issues and the importance of seeking professional support. According to projections, job opportunities in counselling are expected to grow substantially in the coming years. UC's Master of Counselling ensures you're well-prepared to meet this growing demand, with industry-relevant skills, practical experience, and professional accreditation.

UC's Master of Counselling is designed to be completed in as little as two years, offering an accelerated online format that allows you to progress efficiently while maintaining a flexible study schedule. Each unit is seven weeks long, enabling you to dive deep into relevant topics and immediately apply your learning in real-world contexts. With intakes available every two months, you can start your journey toward a rewarding counselling career at a time that suits you best.

For detailed information on tuition fees, please contact our admissions team directly. We're committed to providing accessible and affordable education options.

A Master of Counselling is an advanced degree program that goes beyond theoretical knowledge to provide practical skills and experiential learning opportunities essential for effective counselling practice. UC's program focuses on human diversity, inclusion, and respect, ensuring graduates are equipped to provide culturally sensitive and respectful support to clients from diverse backgrounds. Accredited by the Australian Counselling Association (ACA), UC's Master of Counselling is recognised as a professional qualification that aligns with industry standards and expectations.

With a Master's in Counselling from UC, you have a wide range of career opportunities available to you. Graduates may pursue roles as counsellors, therapists, mental health advocates, community support workers, or organisational consultants. UC's program prepares you for success in various settings, including private practice, healthcare organisations, schools, community centres, and government agencies. With industry-relevant skills, hands-on experience, and professional accreditation, you'll be well-equipped to make a meaningful difference in the field of mental healthcare.

To work as a counsellor in Australia, there is no single federally mandated qualification, but most employers and professional bodies expect formal training in counselling theory, practice, and ethics. Many counsellors complete qualifications such as a Diploma of Counselling, a bachelor’s degree in counselling or a related human services field, or a postgraduate qualification like a Master of Counselling. Counsellors often join professional associations such as the Australian Counselling Association (ACA) or the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA), which set training and ethical standards that support professional recognition and access to insurance and placement opportunities.

The UC Master of Counselling is accredited by the ACA and delivered online. To be eligible for entry, applicants must hold a Bachelor degree, Graduate Diploma or Master degree. The online counselling courses prepare graduates with advanced practical skills, ethical conduct frameworks, and placement experience required by many employers in health, community, education, and private practice settings.

Counsellor earnings vary considerably depending on factors such as experience, location, and employment sector. According to industry estimates, the average counsellor salary in Australia sits around typical professional earnings and can increase with experience and specialisation.

While exact figures can differ, completing recognised qualifications like the Master of Counselling or a graduate diploma can improve access to higher-paid roles or leadership positions in community services, health settings, private practice, or specialised counselling fields (e.g., family, trauma, substance-use support).

A Master of Counselling focuses on relational and reflective practice, practical counselling skills, therapeutic approaches, ethical practice, and experiential learning. Graduates are trained to support clients with a range of life stressors, emotional concerns, and wellbeing challenges.

A psychology degree, especially one aimed at professional practice, is usually more theory- and research-oriented and focusses on symptomology and diagnosis, with pathways toward professional registration as a psychologist through the Psychology Board of Australia (AHPRA). Psychologists are trained in psychological assessment, diagnosis, and sometimes clinical intervention techniques beyond standard counselling. Counsellors typically do not register with AHPRA and cannot diagnose mental disorders but can provide therapeutic support within their scope.

Becoming a counsellor in Australia typically involves completing relevant training, gaining practical experience, and acquiring professional association membership. Common pathways include: completing a Diploma of Counselling, a bachelor’s degree in counselling, psychology or human services, or a postgraduate qualification such as a Master of Counselling or Graduate Diploma of Counselling.

Many counselling professionals also seek membership with bodies such as the Australian Counselling Association (ACA) or PACFA to demonstrate adherence to ethical standards and professional competence.

The UC Master of Counselling is designed to integrate theory with supervised placements, preparing graduates for diverse counsellor roles across community, healthcare, education, and private practice settings.