Duration 
Commencing The Bachelor of Counselling degree is a three-year course, and is available on both a full time and part time basis.
The Bachelor of Counselling will equip students for employment in any counselling context, as well as providing access to appropriate levels of recognition with relevant professional associations.
The Bachelor of Counselling is designed to equip students with the knowledge, counselling skills and experience necessary to work ethically, sensitively, inclusively and respectfully with clients from diverse backgrounds. As well as incorporating foundational understandings, the Bachelor of Counselling includes opportunities for critical reflection on counselling theory and practice, and in-depth engagement with key areas and issues of counselling. Students are able to engage with the course through flexible study modes.
Students who successfully complete the Diploma of Social Science may articulate to the Bachelor of Counselling. Students who are enrolled in the Bachelor of Counselling may exit with the Diploma of Social Science, subject to the completion of course rules.
Students should note that certain units can be completed on campus only, in either Internal or Intensive modes (as offered).
Bachelor of Counselling course admission information, including the ATAR/selection rank and student profile for the Bachelor of Counselling, can be found here.
Admission Criteria
COURSE ADMISSION CRITERIA
I am an applicant with:
RECENT SECONDARY EDUCATION
Applicants who have completed secondary education in the last two years and who are aged 17 years or over, are eligible for admission to this course. Additional admission criteria apply.
VOCATIONAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING (VET) STUDY
Applicants with vocational education and training (VET) study of at least a completed Certificate III (with a GPA of at least 4.0, where applicable) and who are aged 17 years or over, are eligible for admission to this course. Additional admission criteria apply.
HIGHER EDUCATION STUDY
Applicants with completed higher education study, and applicants with higher education study of at least one semester (full-time equivalent) who wish to transfer to or within CHC, are eligible for admission to this course. Additional admission criteria apply.
WORK AND LIFE EXPERIENCE
Applicants with work and life experience who demonstrate readiness for higher education, including successful completion of the Special Tertiary Admission Test (STAT), are eligible for admission to this course. Additional admission criteria apply.
ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY
Applicants for whom English is not their first language must provide certified documentary evidence that their secondary schooling, or tertiary studies of at least one year, was conducted in the English language or they have satisfactory results in an acceptable English Language Proficiency examination (see table below). Results are to be no more than two years old as at the commencement of the course of study.
| EXAMINATION | Minimum Requirement |
|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic) | 6.5 (at least 6.0 in all subtests) |
| PTE (Academic) | 59 (at least 51 in all subtests) |
| TOEFL (PBT) | 577 |
| TOEFL (IBT) | 90 (at least 16 in Listening, Reading; 21 in Writing; 18 in Speaking) |
WHAT TO EXPECT
Our expert teaching staff will inspire you to think creatively, be curious and innovate throughout your counselling course.
Flexible delivery and study mode
Choose a part-time or full-time Bachelor of Counselling program, and on campus or external/online delivery (or a combination), to suit your circumstances and lifestyle.
Individual classes may be held either during the day or in the evening, so be sure to check the timetable to find out what will work best for you.
We understand the importance of flexible learning and believe offering students the options of part-time, full-time or external delivery is important in shaping our future alumni.
Capacity to make a meaningful contribution
CHC’s commitment to producing graduates with the capacity to make a meaningful contribution to their clients’ growth and wellbeing involves a strong emphasis on the acquisition and practice of counselling skills.
Although the Bachelor of Counselling is highly experiential in nature with a strong emphasis on the development of the person of the counsellor, it also values academic rigour and the importance of staying up-to-date with emerging trends and findings related to the fields of counselling and psychotherapy. This includes underpinning all aspects of the Bachelor of Counselling with the latest research on interpersonal neurobiology and mental health and encouraging students to engage with counselling research.
Professional recognition
The Bachelor of Counselling is accredited by the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA). This means graduates can become provisional members of PACFA or join PACFA through a member association such as the Christian Counsellors’ Association.
As of 2024, the Bachelor of Counselling will be accredited by the Australian Counselling Association (ACA.) Please refer to the ACA website for the most up to date information.
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Course Structure
The Bachelor of Counselling consists of 24 units – 2 Christian Studies units, 7 Professional Studies units, 13 Counselling units and 2 Elective units.
To develop their counselling skills, students also complete 200 hours, 20 hours of their own counselling, 5 site visits to counselling organisations and 15 hours of external professional development events. Students must apply for a Blue Card (or equivalent) within the first six months of starting their course.
In planning their courses, students must consult the Social Sciences Courses Guide for information regarding course rules and requirements, including unit prerequisite requirements.
Students complete 2 elective units from the following:
Fees & Scholarships
FEES
SCHOLARSHIPS
CHC has a number of scholarships available in particular course areas to help students who are coming to CHC as school-leavers.
The Government also provides some financial assistance to students to help the transition into study.
Further information about scholarships and government financial assistance is available below.
CONTACT US
We want to make sure you’re getting all the relevant and helpful information to ensure you are best informed about your higher education pathway.
A staff member will be in touch to help with your questions.
