Child counsellor job description
Where we source our data
Let’s get real. Job information online can often be overly optimistic — conveniently glossing over the raw bits. But when you’re making decisions about your future, you need all the facts.
That’s why we anonymously surveyed child counsellors about their job, with hopes of getting an honest insight into what it’s really like.
While we did our best to ensure respondents were Australians and verified their job titles with proof of employment, we can’t guarantee complete accuracy — or that your experiences in the field will reflect theirs. So, we suggest that you take these insights as a guide only and try to talk to people in the field before making an important decision.
Where we source our data
Let’s get real. Job information online can often be overly optimistic — conveniently glossing over the raw bits. But when you’re making decisions about your future, you need all the facts.
That’s why we anonymously surveyed child counsellors about their job, with hopes of getting an honest insight into what it’s really like.
While we did our best to ensure respondents were Australians and verified their job titles with proof of employment, we can’t guarantee complete accuracy — or that your experiences in the field will reflect theirs. So, we suggest that you take these insights as a guide only and try to talk to people in the field before making an important decision.
Cooperative
Based on our career survey data, these are the words that workers would use to describe their jobs.
Imaginative
Based on our career survey data, these are the words that workers would use to describe their jobs.
Intellectual
Based on our career survey data, these are the words that workers would use to describe their jobs.
Tasks and responsibilities for a child counsellor
Child counsellors work with vulnerable children and their families to support child happiness and general wellbeing. They help identify challenging areas and provide guidance using counselling strategies specific to the younger age groups.
A child counsellor’s tasks can include:
- Conducting individual or family counselling sessions
- Supporting children with mental, emotional or social disorders
- Helping children reach milestones in their development
- Educating family members on how they can support the child
- Conducting assessments and creating treatment plans for each child
- Monitoring and recording progress
Reasons to choose this job
Based on our career survey data, these are the factors that workers said were most important to them when choosing this job.
Enjoyable
There aren’t many jobs more rewarding than ones that help improve children’s lives. Supporting young people in their formative years is incredibly important and can pave the way for better mental health for life.
Makes a difference
Counselling children can impact their development, relationships, coping ability in challenging situations, and overall mental wellbeing.
You may not always get to witness the difference you make in a child’s life. Jo Woods, an experienced counsellor, remembers the first few years of her career.
“Making a difference in such a huge question,” Jo says. “As a new counsellor, when you’re green and lacking confidence, it’s hard to read your client to see if you are.”
With experience comes the knowledge that whether or not you see a remarkable difference in your clients right away, your counselling can change a young life forever.
Respected
Counselling children and young people through grief, trauma, and the myriad of problems they might face in their young lives is a well-respected vocation. Society recognises the importance of child counsellors’ work while also understanding it’s not a role anyone can step into. It takes someone with strength, kindness and a nurturing heart to really make a difference.
Job satisfaction
Overall job satisfaction
This overall score combines the critical factors in job satisfaction. It includes fulfilment, stress levels, and opportunities for advancement, based on our career survey data.
Stress level
How stressful workers feel their job is, based on our career survey data.
Fulfilment
How personally rewarding workers feel their job is, based on our career survey data.
Skill level
The skill level required to do this job is based on both our career survey data and official data from the Labour Market Information Portal.
Job market trends for a child counsellor
Work opportunities in the counselling industry are on the rise.
The Australian Industry and Skills Committee has reported overall growth in the client services industry since 2000. As a part of this broader industry, we will need more counsellors as sector employee rates will continue their expansion to approximately 37,800 by 2025.
Factors that are likely to impact the job outlook and employment growth include the economic and social implications of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Median salary
Where this data comes from
Median salary
We use the median salary over the average because it’s more realistic — unusually high or low salaries don’t skew the median. It shows the true middle point, which is what your typical worker in this job earns.
This figure is from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. It’s the official median full-time adult salary for non-managers, before tax. (Includes salary sacrifice.)
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours (cat. no. 6306.0), Customised Report
Projected job growth
Job growth projections, using data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. These calculations were made before COVID-19 and may not accurately reflect the labour market. Use these numbers as a general guide only.
Where this data comes from
Median salary
We use the median salary over the average because it’s more realistic — unusually high or low salaries don’t skew the median. It shows the true middle point, which is what your typical worker in this job earns.
This figure is from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. It’s the official median full-time adult salary for non-managers, before tax. (Includes salary sacrifice.)
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours (cat. no. 6306.0), Customised Report
Projected job growth
Job growth projections, using data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. These calculations were made before COVID-19 and may not accurately reflect the labour market. Use these numbers as a general guide only.
Projected job growth
Where this data comes from
Median salary
We use the median salary over the average because it’s more realistic — unusually high or low salaries don’t skew the median. It shows the true middle point, which is what your typical worker in this job earns.
This figure is from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. It’s the official median full-time adult salary for non-managers, before tax. (Includes salary sacrifice.)
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours (cat. no. 6306.0), Customised Report
Projected job growth
Job growth projections, using data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. These calculations were made before COVID-19 and may not accurately reflect the labour market. Use these numbers as a general guide only.
Where this data comes from
Median salary
We use the median salary over the average because it’s more realistic — unusually high or low salaries don’t skew the median. It shows the true middle point, which is what your typical worker in this job earns.
This figure is from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. It’s the official median full-time adult salary for non-managers, before tax. (Includes salary sacrifice.)
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours (cat. no. 6306.0), Customised Report
Projected job growth
Job growth projections, using data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. These calculations were made before COVID-19 and may not accurately reflect the labour market. Use these numbers as a general guide only.
Pathway options
Job pathways are drawn from the Australian Apprenticeships Pathways site.
Child counselling is an incredibly fulfilling job, and many people choose to stay in this career long-term. A child counselling career can also be a launchpad to senior positions, related jobs or further study.
Some pathways could be:
Junior
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Support worker
Most common qualification: Certificate IV in Mental Health (CHC43315)
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Child counsellor
Most common qualification: Diploma of Counselling (CHC51015) + Supervision
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Youth case worker
Most common qualification: Certificate IV in Youth Work (CHC40413)
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Social worker
Most common qualification: Diploma of Community Services (CHC52015)
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Youth counsellor
Most common qualification: Diploma of Youth Work (CHC50413)
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School counsellor
Most common qualification: Diploma of Counselling (CHC51015) + Supervision
Mid
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Counsellor
Most common qualification: Diploma of Counselling (CHC51015) + Supervision
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Family counsellor
Most common qualification: Diploma of Counselling (CHC51015) + Supervision
Senior
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Psychotherapist
Most common qualification: Graduate Diploma of Trauma-Informed Processwork Psychotherapy (10779NAT)
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Family dispute resolution practitioner
Most common qualification: Graduate Diploma of Family Dispute Resolution (CHC81115)
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Rehabilitation counsellor
Most common qualification: Master of Rehabilitation Counselling
Skills you might already have
Based on our career survey data, the soft skills that workers said were most needed to do their job well.
Roles that directly engage with and guide youth require a particular set of soft skills. These skills not only make you a better counsellor, but they also allow you to enjoy your job and stay motivated — a win-win all around.
“The main skill I use is an interest in how people work, along with an insatiable curiosity about people’s experience. It’s a balance of holding in mind a lot of theory that you’ve learnt, and then letting it all go so you can really hear and appreciate what the person in front of you is telling you,” says professional counsellor, Dan Auerbach.
Ideal child counsellor skills:
Empathy
Working with children requires you to think back, reflect on your own life experience and put yourself in their shoes. Looking at a situation from another person’s perspective is vital in supporting real change.
Love of working with children
Working within a subject that we love not only means we enjoy our job, it also means we’re likely better at it. Your love for children reinforces your skills in empathy and compassion, allowing you to relate to your clients effectively.
“We all face very similar issues in life. The storylines we present them with are different — the who, the when and the how. But the themes underneath those are always the same. So work in an area that you understand deeply, and keep deepening your understanding of the area that you’re working in,” says Jo Woods.
Patience
When you stay calm and centred when communicating with children, you eliminate negative energy and alleviate stress for the child, allowing for more productive interactions.
Warm and friendly manner
As a child counsellor, your job is to help children feel safe and let barriers down, which helps to foster the best outcomes. A warm nature allows you to draw out the most valuable information from a child so that you can support them in the best way possible.
Strong caring nature
Children need to know that support people care for them, but they also need to feel a counsellor is a dependable and safe person. Assertive care in counselling promotes a respectful relationship, which is essential when a child may not receive your support positively.
Hard skills
The job-specific skills that workers said were most important, supplemented with data from JobOutlook and online job advertisements.
To be capable and confident as a child counsellor, you must have the proper practical skills in counselling. High levels of knowledge in varied counselling techniques and processes allow you to support your clients in the best way.
Some child counsellor skills you need are:
Practising various therapeutic methods and youth counselling techniques that suit the needs of individual children and families
Understanding legal and ethical standards of the role
Addressing a wide range of issues, like trauma, grief, abuse, bullying and special needs, tactfully
Assessing the needs of young people and establishing areas of work
Understanding and maintaining client confidentiality and knowing when to notify any appropriate authorities
Counselling organisation administration and record-keeping practices
Effectively communicating with young people and their families
Understanding crisis recognition and policies for response
Working with young people that have mental health issues
Child development and adolescent development knowledge
Working with children exposed to domestic violence
Lived experience can be your best tool for helping others
We all face very similar issues in life. The storylines we present them with are different — the who, the when and the how. But the themes underneath those are always the same. So work in an area that you understand deeply, and keep deepening your understanding of the area that you're working in.
Jo Woods, Relationship Counsellor and Coach
How to become a child counsellor
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Study
To become any counsellor, you need a formal qualification. There are flexible study options available. An undergraduate degree in counselling takes three years on average, and gives you broad skills in counselling. The degree prepares you for supporting children and has units focusing on family and youth counselling.
Another option is to complete a Diploma of Counselling (CHC51015). A diploma can be completed in around a year, allowing you to enter a job in the industry sooner. Entry-level positions are generally performed under supervision but are a great pathway to study further and offer valuable experience in the field.
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Volunteer
Offering your time to local support services or helplines feels great, is a fantastic way to get on-the-ground work experience in counselling and can elevate your resume — improving your job prospects.
Community services programs that support vulnerable children always need enthusiastic volunteers to help out. There are plenty of resources available online to help you find a volunteer position and get started.
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Working with Children check
Before working in a role that works directly with children, you’re required to undergo a Working with Children Check. These checks are usually requested as part of a recruitment process or as an entry requirement for study.
-
Apply to the ACA
The Australian Counselling Association is Australia’s most prominent individual registration body for counsellors and psychotherapists. An ACA membership allows access to professional development, national and local representation, career support and much more.
Explore related qualifications
Diploma of Counselling
This course provides skills and builds a foundation for counselling using a combination of theoretical and applied components. The courses include units in communication, counselling therapies, working within a case management framework, and legal and ethical policies. Job outcomes for this course would consist of supported counselling roles in established agencies rather than working independently.
The average course duration is one year full time but can be undertaken part-time or self-paced. The delivery of the coursework depends on the course provider.
A Diploma of Counselling can be a pathway to a bachelor’s degree if you decide to upskill at a later stage.
4 providers offer this course
Bachelor of Counselling
A bachelor’s degree in counselling provides a deeper look into therapeutic counselling and explores the relationship between biology, psychology and our environment. You’ll graduate this course equipped with the practical skills and strategies to explore a career in counselling individuals, couples, families, or groups.
The average course duration is three years full-time or part-time equivalent, and this course can be studied in a combination of online and in-class formats.
You can refer to individual RTO course providers for entry-level requirements and course fee information.
Related subjects
Support and guidance roles in the community come in many forms. From social services, right through the healthcare sector and beyond, there is a constant need for enthusiastic and empathetic new employees to join the workforce.
Some other subjects to explore:
Reviews
How we collect reviews
Reviews are from Australian workers with this job title or a very closely related one.
Is this your job title?
Share your thoughts and help people decide if this job is right for them.
How we collect reviews
Reviews are from Australian workers with this job title or a very closely related one.
Is this your job title?
Share your thoughts and help people decide if this job is right for them.
- All
- Positive
- Negative
James
Sep 01 2021Enjoy talking to children and helping them over life's hurdles.
What are the best parts of the job?
Communication with children is a key part of the role, and it's really rewarding when you manage to build a good rapport with them.
What's the most challenging part?
Some children don't want to talk, and you have to think outside of the box to find ways to communicate with them in the hopes of eventually breaking through.
Laini
Aug 30 2021Get to help children through traumatic or difficult times in their young lives.
What are the best parts of the job?
Helping children overcome traumatic or challenging situations.
What's the most challenging part?
Managing colleagues is probably the most stressful part of my job.
Amber
Sep 01 2021Keeping kids safe is a key aspect of this role and something that drives me everyday.
What are the best parts of the job?
Helping kids by ensuring they are not at risk of harm.
What's the most challenging part?
Dealing with risk and managing it tends to be quite complex. Sometimes it's challenging to make the right calls.
Related articles
If you know a role in child counselling is your calling, you’re in the right place. You can access a vast range of resources and information on the job, industry insights, short course details and tips on getting your foot in the door. Start with these articles below:
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Job cluster: The Carer
What are job clusters?
The seven job clusters are sets of closely related jobs that share skills, making it easy to apply skills learned in one career to another.
The idea of the seven job clusters first appeared in a 2016 research report by the Foundation for Young Australians, titled “The New Work Mindset”. Researchers analysed thousands of online job advertisements and found that jobs are more similar than commonly thought — and the skills you gain in one position are easy to bring to another. In fact, they can help you get 13 other closely related jobs.
This model is a great way to think about 21st-century careers, where the average person changes career five times. We’ve used this framework (along with the much-loved Holland Codes model) to build a career quiz.
Why not take it and find out which job cluster feels like home?
What are job clusters?
The seven job clusters are sets of closely related jobs that share skills, making it easy to apply skills learned in one career to another.
The idea of the seven job clusters first appeared in a 2016 research report by the Foundation for Young Australians, titled “The New Work Mindset”. Researchers analysed thousands of online job advertisements and found that jobs are more similar than commonly thought — and the skills you gain in one position are easy to bring to another. In fact, they can help you get 13 other closely related jobs.
This model is a great way to think about 21st-century careers, where the average person changes career five times. We’ve used this framework (along with the much-loved Holland Codes model) to build a career quiz.
Why not take it and find out which job cluster feels like home?
A job in child counselling requires an enormous amount of compassion, patience and a desire to help some of the most vulnerable people in our communities. Roles in this field are best suited to the career personality of The Carer.
The Carer employs their natural interpersonal skills and a human-centric approach to make others feel safe. The Carer works to support and achieve goals and the best outcomes in a warm and nurturing manner.
Take the Career Quiz to discover what jobs are a great fit for you.
Frequently asked questions
What makes a good child counsellor?
A good child counsellor has empathy, patience and a desire to support children from all walks of life. They also have the practical and soft skills they need to perform their job to the best standard.
What qualifications do I need to be a child counsellor?
A bachelor’s degree or diploma in counselling, social work or related field is an excellent start for a child counselling career. Further studies and relevant experience are required to progress into more experienced roles in the field.
What does a child counsellor do?
A child counsellor works with vulnerable children and their families to support mental health and social wellbeing.
What skills do you need to become a child counsellor?
Natural interpersonal abilities like active listening, patience and effective communication skills are needed to become a child counsellor. You also need specific practical skills in child psychology and process and policy knowledge in counselling settings to ensure the best service to your clients.