Key facts
Duration
2 years full-time or part-time equivalent
Locations
Course overview
Counsellors are in demand, with job growth projected at 29.1% over the next decade. Deakin’s Master of Counselling helps you build the advanced communication and analytical skills needed to support individuals, couples and groups. You will graduate prepared to work with clients experiencing mild to moderate mental health and developmental challenges.
Build specialist capability in areas of growing demand, including trauma, relationships, family violence, sexuality and grief. Develop a strong professional identity through a program led by practising counsellors and experienced clinicians, with learning grounded in contemporary counselling practice.
From your second year, you will complete 200 hours of placement, working with clients from diverse backgrounds and applying your skills in professional settings. The course is accredited by the Australian Counselling Association and the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia, supporting your pathway into the profession.
Current Deakin students
To access your official course details for the year you started your degree, please visit the handbook
- Award granted
- Master of Counselling
- Year
2027 course information
- Deakin code
- H758
- CRICOS code?Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students
- 112781A Burwood (Melbourne)
- Level
- Higher Degree Coursework (Masters and Doctorates)
- Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition
The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 9
ACHIEVE WORK-LIFE BALANCE AT THE #1 VICTORIAN UNI FOR COURSE SATISFACTION
Course structure
To complete the Master of Counselling you must pass 16 credit points. The number of credit points required may vary, depending on your entry point or how much credit you receive as recognition of prior learning (RPL) based on your professional experience and previous qualifications.
A 16-credit point Master of Counselling includes:
- DAI001 Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0-credit-point compulsory unit) in your first study period
- 16 credit points of core units.
Most units are equal to one credit point. As a full-time student you will study four credit points per trimester and usually undertake two trimesters per year.
Students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements.
Year 1 - Trimester 1
Year 1 - Trimester 2
Year 2 - Trimester 1
Year 2 - Trimester 2
* All placement hours must be completed with the placement host and students physically located in Australia.
Intakes by location
The availability of a course varies across locations and intakes. This means that a course offered in Trimester 1 may not be offered in the same location for Trimester 2 or 3. Check each intake for up-to-date information on when and where you can commence your studies.
- Start date: March
- Available at:
- Burwood (Melbourne)
This course has limited places available, applicants are strongly encouraged to submit an application as soon as possible.
- Start date: July
- Available at:
- Burwood (Melbourne)
This course has limited places available, applicants are strongly encouraged to submit an application as soon as possible.
Information for applicants and students
The Master of Counselling course contains topics that could be triggering or distressing for some individuals. If you have unresolved trauma or grief, we strongly recommend that you carefully consider whether you are ready to engage with this course at this time. It is important to prioritise your mental health and wellbeing, and seeking support from a mental health professional may be a helpful option. Please be aware that support is available to you throughout your studies, and we encourage you to reach out to the services provided by Wellbeing at Deakin if you need to do so.
Mandatory student checks
In order to undertake placement, students will be required to attain a police check and a Working with Children Check, or equivalent based on their State of residence.
Students undertaking placement in any environment may be required to work with children, or incidentally exposed to children due to the nature of the counselling profession. Hence, the University has an obligation to ensure that students are suitable for placement and the children they work with are safe.
If a student has a disclosable outcome/s on their national police check, agencies have the right to refuse to provide a placement. If an alternative placement cannot be obtained, the student will be unable to meet the requirements of the placement units and completion of the course will therefore not be possible.
To gain professional accreditation with the Australian Counselling Association and the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia, students are required to disclose and explain any professional misconduct, formal complaints made against them as a counsellor, serious criminal offences, current investigations, or refusal of application to work with children.
Workload
As a student in the Faculty of Health you can expect to participate in a range of teaching activities each week. This could include lectures, seminars, practicals, placements and online interaction. You can refer to the individual unit details in the course structure for more information. You will also need to study and complete assessment tasks in your own time. Teaching, placements and assessment tasks may take place outside of Deakin University teaching periods.
On-campus attendance requirements
To meet industry accreditation requirements, all students must participate in a compulsory on-campus intensive (of either two- or three-days duration) for certain units. Please note that some units are entirely online, some are offer a choice of on-campus or online, whilst others have a blended delivery of online and one face-to-face on-campus intensive. Please refer to the individual unit details in the online handbook for more information about how each unit is delivered.
Participation requirements
Students will be required to complete 200 hours of placement, composed of client contact, supervision and non-contact counselling related activities. All placement hours must be completed with the placement host and students physically located in Australia.
Placement is an essential component of the course, required by both accrediting associations, the Australian Counselling Association and the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia. When students complete the course, they may be asked to submit evidence of their placement with a detailed log book of hours attained.
At Deakin, we’re committed to creating an inclusive learning environment that supports all students to succeed. We work closely with students to identify and reduce barriers, and where possible, provide tailored support to help students engage with learning and assessment activities, ensuring every student has the opportunity to belong and thrive.
If you are disabled, neurodivergent, Deaf, and/or you live with the effects of a mental health condition, chronic health condition, or other condition that impacts your studies or participation in university life, we encourage you to reach out to our Disability Resource Centre for a collaborative and confidential discussion.
Entry requirements
Selection is based on a holistic consideration of your academic merit, work experience, likelihood of success, availability of places, participation requirements, regulatory requirements, and individual circumstances. You will need to meet the minimum academic and English language proficiency requirements to be considered for selection, but this does not guarantee admission.
Please note, there are limited places in this course and entry is competitive. Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit an application as soon as possible. Applications for this course may close prior to the published closing date if all places are filled.
To be considered for admission to this degree you will need to meet the following criteria:
- completion of a bachelor degree or higher in any discipline, or
- evidence of academic capability judged to be equivalent and a recorded person statement (video)
To meet the English language proficiency requirements of this course, you will need to demonstrate at least one of the following:
- bachelor degree from a recognised English-speaking country
- IELTS overall score of 7.0 (with no band score less than 6.5) or equivalent
- other evidence of English language proficiency (learn more about other ways to satisfy the requirements)
You will also be required to submit a recorded video (personal statement) where you will respond to three questions to assess your suitability. #
Preference may be given to applicants with an equivalent credit average (65%) or above
Applicants are required to refer to the additional applicant instructions PDF in the apply now section.
# Graduates who have recently completed H658 Graduate Diploma of Counselling are not required to submit a personal statement video.
Learn more about Deakin courses and how we compare to other universities when it comes to the quality of our teaching and learning.
Not sure if you can get into Deakin postgraduate study? Postgraduate study doesn’t have to be a balancing act; we provide flexible course entry and exit options based on your desired career outcomes and the time you are able to commit to your study.
Recognition of prior learning
Depending upon prior qualifications and/or experience, you may receive credit for:
- HPY730 Principles of Counselling and Telehealth
- HPY731 Mental Health Counselling
- HPY733 Lifespan and Developmental Counselling
- HPY734 Ethical and Legal Issues in Counselling
- HPY732 Professional Counselling Roles
- HPY735 Counselling Diverse Populations
- HPY736 Contemporary Counselling Interventions
- HPY744 Research in Counselling
Fees and scholarships
Fee information
Estimated tuition fee - full-fee paying place
$32,200 for 1 yr full-time - Full-fee paying place
Learn more about fees and your options for paying.
The estimated tuition fee above is based on a typical first-year full-time enrolment of 8 credit points and is provided as a guide only. Your tuition fees are determined by your course and unit enrolment. Your tuition fees will vary depending on your study load, the course duration, and any approved recognition of prior learning. You may also be eligible for a FEE-HELP loan to defer all or part of your tuition fees.
Scholarship options
A Deakin scholarship can open the door to new opportunities. Whether you have something unique to offer or simply need a bit of extra support to reach your goals, we’re here to help. Scholarships can assist with course fees, living costs and study materials – so you can focus on achieving your best. Explore the range of opportunities and find the right fit for you.
Postgraduate bursary
We love welcoming Deakin alumni back to continue their journey with us. If you're starting a postgraduate award course, you may be eligible for a 10% discount on your enrolment fees, applied per unit. It's our way of supporting your next step.
Apply now
Apply directly to Deakin
To apply, create an account in the Deakin Application Portal, enter your personal details and education experience, upload supporting documents and submit. Need help? Play this video, or contact one of our friendly future student advisers on 1800 693 888 or submit an online enquiry.
Additional applicant instructions
Please refer to the additional applicant instructions PDF for information regarding inherent requirements for the course including video upload.
Pathways
Alternate exits
- Graduate Certificate of Counselling (H558)
- Graduate Diploma of Counselling (H658)
Career outcomes
There is strong demand for counsellors in Australia, with 23.4% projected employment growth by November 2035**. Counsellors work across a broad range of roles related to mental health, disability, allied health, and social support services. Some roles may include:
- youth work and school counselling
- mental health support
- career and professional guidance
- telephone/online counselling services
- trauma counselling
- drug and alcohol counselling
- grief support
- relationship and family counselling
- sex and sexuality support services
- specialist family violence practitioner.
Our Master of Counselling is accredited with both of Australia’s accrediting associations: the Australian Counselling Association (ACA) and the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA).
You may choose to become a student member of ACA and/or PACFA whilst you study whilst you study. Upon graduation you will be eligible to apply as a Registered Counsellor level 2 member with ACA or a provisional counsellor with PACFA, boosting your employment opportunities, establishing valuable networks and expanding your professional development opportunities.
Upon graduation, you may be eligible for accreditation with ACA and PACFA, boosting your employment opportunities.
**2025 Employment projections - for the ten years to 2035, Jobs and Skills Australia
Professional recognition
The Master of Counselling is accredited by the Australian Counselling Association (ACA) and the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA).
This qualification has been assessed as being an equivalent qualification for the purposes of the Mandatory Minimum Qualifications policy for employment in specialist family violence practitioner roles in Victoria.
Deakin's graduate learning outcomes describe the knowledge and capabilities graduates can demonstrate at the completion of their course. These outcomes mean that regardless of the Deakin course you undertake, you can rest assured your degree will teach you the skills and professional attributes that employers value. They'll set you up to learn and work effectively in the future.
| Course Learning Outcomes |
|---|
| Demonstrate specialist knowledge of counselling roles, and knowledge and application of skills, theory, interventions, and ethics across the lifespan to a variety of audiences relevant to professional counselling. |
| Employ clear written and oral communication skills to effect therapeutic change among diverse client groups. Convey complex counselling theories and ideas to a variety of audiences, including clients, colleagues, and other professionals. |
| Use a range of digital tools to locate and disseminate counselling information and client resources. Awareness and use of digital tools to provide counselling. |
| Identify, synthesize, integrate, and critically reflect on research to inform counselling practice. |
| Appraise, select, and apply specialised counselling skills and knowledge to understand and work with. Initiate, plan, and implement tailored counselling interventions that address client issues. |
| Demonstrate high-level self-management and awareness in learning and practice that reinforces the importance of responsibility, accountability, and ethics in professional counselling. |
| Work effectively in supervisory, leadership, and managerial capacities with diverse ethnic and cultural partners and teams to promote professional competence and growth. Communicate and collaborate with other mental health professionals to support clients. |
| Evaluate and apply ethical principles to work productively in the field of counselling within diverse social, cultural and environmental contexts. Collaborate and communicate in a self-reflective and culturally sensitive manner. |
Note – From 2026, Deakin commenced introducing Graduate Attributes (GAs), which define the distinctive characteristics of a Deakin graduate. You may notice some courses still refer to Graduate Learning Outcomes (GLOs) during this transition period.
*Deakin references data from a range of government, higher education and reputable media sources. Learn more about our achievements on our University rankings page, or explore our sources page for supporting references.
