Enhance your counselling knowledge and skills with a Graduate Diploma in Counselling Theory and Practice from Victoria University.
This online postgraduate counselling diploma is designed for working professionals. With our flexible course delivery, you can choose to study full-time for one year or part-time over two years.
Our block model classes/workshops are delivered live over Zoom outside traditional working hours, allowing for peer and teacher interactions and counselling skills practice in real time.
During your study, you will expand your understanding of counselling theory and intervention practices, and apply this knowledge to a variety of scenarios.
You will enhance your ethical and professional practice with extensive learning about the impact of social systems on client wellbeing. Drawing on this expertise, you will develop specific skills in treating children and adolescents, people from diverse backgrounds, and those who have experienced trauma.
Through role plays and class activities, you will practise counselling skills and become adept at building rapport with clients to begin the therapeutic process. This practical learning can be applied in a variety of settings, including in the workplace, community settings and private practice. You will also develop skills for assessing client needs and formulating individual plans.
Australian Counselling Association (ACA) accreditation This course is accredited by the Australian Counselling Association (ACA), the largest registration body for counsellors in Australia.
On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
Demonstrate advanced understanding of human development and a diverse range of human experiences and how they may impact on wellbeing;
Critically review counselling theories and contemporary professional literature to formulate and implement evidence-based counselling practice;
Exemplify understanding of cultural and systemic considerations relevant to counselling practice and when working in an interprofessional context;
Appraise and demonstrate advanced knowledge of psychological theories and therapeutic approaches relevant to counselling assessments, case formulations, and interventions;
Formulate evidence-based intervention plans for a range of counselling presentations with due consideration of psychosocial and cultural issues; and
Critically reflect on core ethical and professional conduct issues that are likely to be encountered when working with people in a counselling context.
Entry requirements
When assessing your application, we consider your education, work experience, current skills and personal attributes (where relevant).
Applicants for this course will need to meet the entry criteria outlined below. If you don’t meet the entry criteria, you may be able to gain entry by first completing a different course. We call this a ‘pathway’.
For PhD applicants, we offer a related ‘Integrated PhD’ which allows you to establish relevant skills before beginning your research.
You may also be eligible for course ‘credits’, where you are granted a unit or units towards your qualification for equivalent previous study or work experience, so you can graduate sooner.
Entry criteria
To be considered for postgraduate study, you will need to have specific academic qualifications, as outlined below. We also consider non-academic research and work experience for our research candidates.
Admission criteria
Completion of an Australian Bachelor degree (or equivalent) in any discipline
OR
Completion of an Australian Graduate Diploma (or equivalent) in any discipline.
Special entry programs
If you are from a disadvantaged or underrepresented social, economic or cultural background, you may be eligible for one of our special admission programs. These programs are designed to help you access education more easily.
If you don’t meet the entry requirements for this course, there may be an alternative study ‘pathway’ to achieving your goal. In some cases, you may receive credit for your previous study or work experience, reducing the time it takes to complete your course.
If you have completed study with another university or institution you may be eligible to receive credit for skills and past study.
Use our credit calculator to find out what credit you may be eligible for based on your previous studies. Note that if your previous study can’t be found through the credit calculator, you may still be eligible for credit.
Units can be credited if they are part of the course structure for the course you are applying for. Please note that credits relating to prior VU subjects are automatically granted and no further action is required.
Victoria University is committed to providing a transparent admissions process. Find out more about
how to apply for our courses, and our commitment to
admissions transparency. Meeting the minimum admission criteria does not guarantee entry into this course. Past academic performance may be considered.
Course structure
To attain the Graduate Diploma in Counselling Theory and Practice, students will be required to complete:
University fees vary, depending on how much the government contributes towards course costs (if anything).
Read below to find out about the fee ‘type’, the estimated yearly tuition costs for this course, and the financial support on offer (including our generous scholarship program).
Every year, we award hundreds of scholarships, worth millions of dollars combined, to students at all levels of study.
Our scholarships
support marginalised groups and reward high achievers for their hard work and perseverance.
Whether you are struggling with costs or circumstance, or seeking recognition for your accomplishments, apply for a scholarship with us – so that we can help you to thrive at VU and beyond.
The Graduate Diploma in Counselling Theory and Practice caters to professionals who are seeking to upskill while working. Counselling skills translate to many professional roles that involve social interaction. University graduates in all fields will be able to add this diploma to their skills and qualifications to improve employability.
The skills learnt during your counselling course will enhance any role that involves relational dynamics, or support your career change to a more wellbeing, people-focused role.
If you are working as a counsellor, this course will further develop your skills and knowledge in such areas as trauma-informed counselling, case formulation, and intervention.
This online postgraduate counselling course will benefit those working in:
counselling
community work
family support
multicultural services
refugee services
school counselling
social work
workplace counselling
youth work.
This course is accredited by the Australian Counselling Association (ACA).
Start dates
Online
100% online
Course starts
15 February 2027
Applications close07 February 2027
Disclaimer: While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information on this page, please note that dates are subject to change. Some courses may close early due to an earlier start date or there being limited places available.
