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Course: Diploma of Counselling CHC51708 (in partnership with Integrated Care & Management Training)

Take a significant step towards a rewarding career in the fast-growing counselling profession with this nationally recognised qualification.

The Diploma of Counselling CHC51708 provides a range of skills required to undertake general counselling work, communicate effectively at a high level, refer clients and work within a case-management framework. It is also ideal for professionals in HR and other areas where counselling skills are highly valued, as the distance learning format allows you to complete the course at your own pace.

With guidance from an experienced trainer, access to high-quality learning materials and a work placement for practical experience and industry contacts, you could be ready to pursue counselling work in as little as 12 months – or even open your own practice.

Potential jobs:
  • Counsellor

Extras

Upon successful completion of this program, you will be eligible to apply for membership of the Australian Community Counselling Association.

Partnership with ICMT

Open Colleges (formerly Cengage Education), Australia's leading distance education provider, has partnered with Integrated Care & Management Training (ICMT) to promote and provide access to the Diploma of Counselling CHC51708, which is delivered through distance education.

ICMT (National Provider Code 90197) is a leading provider of education and training in the Health and Community Services sectors. ICMT is distinguished by its up-to-date courses, designed in partnership with industry, and its outstanding student and graduate outcomes.

This is a popular course so we recommend that you enrol as soon as possible to secure your place.
Course Number E0098
Course Fees From View our payment options
Delivery mode: Print or online
Course duration: Max 24 months
Assessments: Written, role-play and self-reflection
Qualification: Diploma
Nationally Recognised Yes
Government Funding Yes
Career One jobs for:
Community & Social Services 435
General/Other: Voluntary, Charity & Social Work 40

ID

Subject

Subject Lists toggleexpand all
CHCCM503C
  • Develop, facilitate and monitor all aspects of case management
CHCCS514A
  • Recognise and respond to individuals at risk
CHCCSL501A
  • Work within a structured counselling framework
CHCCSL502A
  • Apply specialist interpersonal and counselling interview skills
CHCCSL503A
  • Facilitate the counselling relationship
CHCCSL504A
  • Apply personality and development theories
CHCCSL505A
  • Apply learning theories in counselling
CHCCSL506A
  • Apply counselling therapies to address a range of client issues
CHCCSL507A
  • Support clients in decision-making processes
CHCCSL508A
  • Apply legal and ethical responsibilities in counselling practice
CHCCSL509A
  • Reflect and improve upon counselling skills
CHCCSL512A
  • Determine suitability of client for counselling services
HLTHIR403C
  • Work effectively with culturally diverse clients and co-workers
HLTOHS300A
  • Contribute to OHS processes
CHCCS403B
  • Provide brief intervention
CHCICS405A
  • Facilitate groups for individual outcomes
CHCCS426A
  • Provide support and care relating to loss and grief

Entry requirements

Minimum education

To gain entry into this qualification it is recommended that candidates have sufficient relevant work experience to indicate likely success at this level. The work experience will have been achieved in a role involving:

  • The self-directed application of knowledge with substantial depth in some areas
  • The exercise of independent judgement and decision-making
  • The application of relevant technical and other skills.

Minimum age

As the role of a counsellor involves working with individuals or families who are in distress, a level of personal maturity is required. Therefore it is recommended that individuals are at least 21 and have had some life experience.

Computer requirements

Students will need access to a computer and the internet. For students who do not have access to either a computer or the internet please contact a course and careers adviser to discuss alternative methods of communication.

Minimum specifications for the computer are:

  • Microsoft Office 2003 or equivalent and
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 or Mac OS X and
  • CD-ROM drive.

Students will also need access to a printer and the following applications:

  • Adobe Acrobat Reader and
  • Macromedia Flash player.

English language requirements

If English is your second language and you did not complete the last two years of secondary education in English, you are required to provide evidence of English language competency before enrolling into the course. Examples of appropriate evidence are listed below:

Evidence

Example
IELTS Overall score of 5.5
TOEFL 530 (paper), 197 (computer) or 71 (internet)
12 months in English-speaking employment Testimonial, statutory declaration

Open Colleges will endeavour to provide additional assistance to students who experience difficulties with language, literacy and numeracy.

Workplace requirements

Students will be required to undertake 200 hours of work placement. Students will be required to demonstrate their skills according to the units of competency they are studying.

Additional requirements

National Criminal Record Check: Prior to commencing work placement, students willl be required to undertake a Criminal Record Check (CRC) to obtain a National Police Certificate.

Commission for Children and Young People Student Declaration: Before commencing work placement, students will be required to sign a CCYP Student Declaration form, which they must provide to the state public health facility. This form declares that the student is not prohbited from working with children and young people.

Equipment: Students will need access to a digital video camera and related software to record some of the assessment tasks.

Students who successfully complete the Diploma of Counselling CHC51708 may go on to further education in this field.

Dr Marilyn Dunn-Bernstein

Dr Marilyn Dunn-Bernstein

Marilyn Dunn-Bernstein is a senior trainer who has worked at Open Colleges for the past 13 years in the fields of Psychology, Social Sciences and Counselling. During her time with Open Colleges, Marilyn has earned a reputation as something of a hard taskmaster. However, it is all in a good cause as feedback has highlighted the benefit students derive from her ability to expand their thinking in both personal and academic domains, and thus ultimately become more effective mediators and counsellors.

An eminent educator with nearly 40 years’ experience, Marilyn has taught in a range of educational environments and roles, ranging from high school vice-principal to university lecturer and PhD supervisor. Amongst her many qualifications, she holds a Ph.D. in Education, a Master’s in Psychology and a Bachelor’s in Human Behaviour.

Marilyn’s early projects included 10 years of research, lecturing and publishing with the Cognitive Research Unit of the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, and 16 years with the Gifted Child Program for disadvantaged individuals in South African townships. In parallel, she spent 20 years as vice-principal of a prominent high school. Her current work as a psychologist in Australia involves enhancing cognitive, emotional and creative development in autistic, Down syndrome, Asperger’s and gifted individuals. She has run her own practice for 13 years, where she specialises in counselling young adults, adolescents, their parents and siblings.

For a significant part of her career, Marilyn has participated in running international workshops in Australia, South Africa, Israel and New Zealand on learning enhancement and cognitive modifiability. Her most recent publications include: Mediated Learning – Teaching, Tasks and Tools to Unlock Cognitive Potential (Sage Publications 2008) and Bridging Learning – Unlocking Cognitive Potential In and Out of the Classroom (Sage publications 2009).

Maurice Benfredj

Maurice Benfredj

One of Open Colleges' most experienced and highly qualified trainers, Maurice Benfredj also has an intimate knowledge of distance learning from the student perspective. In fact, he has studied nearly 50 courses with us, and holds qualifications from other distance education providers.

Maurice’s connection with Open Colleges spans more than 40 years, and for around half that time he has been helping our students to improve their skills and prospects across a range of disciplines.

A senior trainer in our Diploma of Counselling CHC51708, Maurice also works at a counselling and psychotherapy practice in Adelaide, where he has amassed extensive practical experience in conflict-resolution and mediation. Maurice also trains students in Open Colleges' Certificate in Beginner’s German.

Maurice holds bachelors in Arts, Science and Education, along with three graduate diplomas, a Master of Arts and Master of Letters. He also has a workplace training qualification, as well as counselling and applied science qualifications gained through Open Colleges. Maurice is currently a CMACA (Clinical Member, Australian Counselling Association).

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Available payment options

Pay Just $110.00 per week with a $100.00 deposit
or
Pay in full $5,360.00 and save $1340.00
Fortnightly and monthly payment plans are also available through EduPay. Click Enrol Now and choose a payment plan or call a Course and Careers advisor on 1300 853 033 for more details. (Prices shown are for the online study option only. A surcharge is applicable for the print study option).
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Government Funding

In some instances, students may be eligible for Austudy, Centrelink or other government-funded programs to help with study. Please check with Centrelink regarding eligibility, or contact a course and careers advisor on 1300 853 033.

Work Placement

Why is a Work Placement Required?

This course includes 200 hours of work placement. Work placement is required to ensure that the student is able to demonstrate and apply what he or she has learnt in an industry context.

Workplace assessments and training must be undertaken in workplace organisations that are suitable for the course. The student must be under the direction of an appropriately qualified and experienced supervisor. The workplace assessments will be conducted by Open Colleges Workplace Assessors, who will contact both the workplace organisation and the student to arrange mutually convenient times to conduct the workplace assessments.

Open Colleges will assist students to identify work placement opportunities in an appropriate organisation however, it is the responsibility of the student to find and complete the work placement. In the event that the student has previously arranged a work placement Open Colleges will check the suitability of this arrangement.

Open Colleges will make reasonable efforts to organise for assessment to be conducted in the workplace however, the student may be required to attend assessment events at other locations. If the student does not complete a mandatory work placement within the duration of the course Open Colleges is not permitted to issue the qualification.

You will need to complete this part of your studies in an Australian workplace.

Insurance

Open Colleges is pleased to offer our students insurance cover for any mandatory work placement they undertake as part of their course.

Please note that this policy does not provide professional indemnity coverage.

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