CHC51015 Diploma of Counselling

Formal recognition for counsellors who work with clients on personal and psychological issues using established counselling modalities.

Overview

Get recognised for your experience supporting clients through life’s challenges. The CHC51015 Diploma of Counselling is the nationally recognised qualification for counsellors who use communication, micro-counselling and interviewing skills and draw on varied counselling therapies in established agencies. Convert your years of counselling practice into a formal credential through Recognition of Prior Learning.

Career Opportunities

Counsellor

Helps clients identify and work through emotional issues using talking therapies.

Welfare Support Worker

Provides support, information and advice on emotional and social welfare matters.

Reference: training.gov.au

Benefits

Professional RecognitionTurn your counselling and client support experience into a nationally recognised diploma respected across the sector.

Career AdvancementMeet the qualification benchmark for counselling roles in established agencies and association membership pathways.

Our Trusted Partners Offering the Qualification

Synergy Central Pty Ltd

RTO Code: 31486

Nationally Recognised

ASQA Registered

RPL Specialist

Documents & Evidence you might require

General Documents

Your identification Documents
USI Number
Detailed Resume
Work Reference Letter(s)
Payslips
Previous Qualifications (If Any)
Working with Children Check (if counselling young people)

Workplace Documents & Testimonials

Work samples such as session plans, reports or referrals you have authored.
Testimonials or references from supervisors, agencies or peers.
Meeting minutes, rosters or records showing your counselling role clearly.
Records of professional development and counselling training completed.

Project & Work Evidence

De-identified case notes and counselling session plans you have prepared
Records of establishing and managing counselling relationships
Evidence of applying counselling modalities such as CBT or person-centred therapy
Crisis intervention logs, risk assessments or safety plans you have completed
Case management files and progress reviews you have facilitated
Records of working with clients from diverse backgrounds
Evidence of working within legal, ethical and confidentiality frameworks
Records of clinical supervision or professional debriefing you have received
Self-reflection journals or professional development records from your practice

[NB: RTO might ask for more evidences based on qualification requirements]

Labor Opportunity in Australian Industry

40,100Employed

44Median Age

2,800Annual Employment Growth

Ref: Jobs and Skills Australia (Employed, Median Age, Annual Employment Growth)

Industry Average Salary

$2,154Median Per Week

$112,008Yearly Income

Ref: Jobs and Skills Australia (Median per week, Yearly income)

How It Works

Once your Student Agreement is signed and your initial payment is confirmed, your RPL journey begins — here's what to expect at each stage.

Collect Your Evidence

Using your personalised checklist, gather evidence that demonstrates your skills and experience. This may include employment records, certificates, photos, videos, or supervisor references. Your Navigator will guide you every step of the way.

Receive Your Enrolment & RPL Docs

We'll send your Enrolment Form and LLN Assessment to complete first. Following that, you'll receive your SelfAssessment Form and Third-Party Verification Form to work through carefully before moving to the next step.

Submit Your Completed Forms

Complete and sign all required forms, then return them along with your full evidence portfolio. Ensure every section is filled in, all signatures are included, and all supporting documents are attached before submitting.

Assessment and Competency Review

Your RTO Assessor will review and map your evidence against the required unit competencies. Where further clarification is needed, a competency conversation will be conducted to confirm your knowledge and skills.

Outcome Issued

Once assessed as competent across all required units, the RTO will formally issue your certificate or Statement of Attainment. Your real-world experience is now officially recognised as a nationally accredited qualification.

Disclaimer: ATSR is a facilitator of RPL. Qualifications are issued by our partner Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) upon successful assessment.

Payment & Refund

Personalised quote after your consultation

Pricing based on your individual advised pathway

RTO name and all payment options included

No payment until you've accepted your quote

Refunds available in line with our policy

Payment options

✦ 4 interest-free instalments available

Debit / Credit Card

Bank Transfer

Payment Options

Your fees are confirmed before you commit — no surprises.

After your initial consultation, you'll receive a personalised quote that includes your total fee based on your individual advised pathway, the name of the assessing RTO, and all available payment options. No payment is required until you've reviewed and accepted your quote.

Refund Policy

We're committed to your outcome — and we back that with our refund policy.

Our navigators support you through the process to help ensure your portfolio meets the RTO's requirements before it's submitted. If the RTO finds your application ineligible after portfolio submission, you may be entitled to a refund of fees paid to ATSR, in accordance with our and the RTO's refund policy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a Diploma of Counselling through RPL based on my experience?

Yes, genuine counselling or welfare support experience can be formally assessed against the Diploma of Counselling rather than you completing the full-time course from the start. ATSR helps you put together evidence of that experience, and a partner RTO carries out the formal assessment before the diploma is issued.

What evidence do I need to show for a Diploma of Counselling RPL application?

You need documented evidence of your counselling-related work, such as session plans, reports or referrals you've written, testimonials from supervisors, agencies or peers, and records like meeting minutes or rosters showing your counselling role. This evidence needs to demonstrate genuine, hands-on counselling or welfare support experience.

Is a Diploma of Counselling gained through RPL the same as one earned through full-time study?

Yes, it's the identical AQF-registered Diploma of Counselling, issued by an ASQA-registered RTO regardless of the pathway used to get it. RPL doesn't create a separate or lesser qualification, it's the same diploma, assessed differently.

Can I work as a counsellor with a Diploma of Counselling?

A Diploma of Counselling supports work as a counsellor or welfare support worker, helping clients work through emotional and social issues. Some counselling roles and professional bodies have their own membership or registration requirements, so it's worth checking what applies to the specific role or setting you want to work in.

Secure your status as a certified counselling professional today

Turn your client support experience into a nationally recognised diploma