School 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 school 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 school 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.
Intellectual
Based on our career survey data, these are the words that workers would use to describe their jobs.
Persuading
Based on our career survey data, these are the words that workers would use to describe their jobs.
Cooperative
Based on our career survey data, these are the words that workers would use to describe their jobs.
Tasks and responsibilities for a school counsellor
School counsellors collaborate with teachers, learning support teams, parents and carers to assess, support and provide counselling to students from primary school right through to high school.
The role of a school counsellor can include:
- Providing counselling services to students through academic, emotional and social problems
- Helping students establish and reach their goals
- Mediating student and teacher conflicts
- Facilitating various school and counselling programs for issues like drug and alcohol prevention and emotional well-being
- Working to improve learning environments and the school community
- Discussing and approaching the potential for attitude and behavioural change
- Providing early intervention to any mental health issues
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.
Makes a difference
School counselling can positively impact a student’s life in many ways. From addressing learning issues to improving peer and family relationships and supporting the management of depression or anxiety, the work you do can create meaningful changes to last a lifetime.
Enjoyable
Working in a buzzing school environment means constant contact with a diverse range of people. Your work involves meeting with students, teachers, outside program facilitators, parents and carers (to name a few).
Learning opportunities
School counsellors support students through an array of situations, from schoolyard bullying all the way to domestic violence. Because of this you’ll learn a lot very quickly. This will lead to many opportunities to advance your career.
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 school counsellor
The job outlook for positions in the school counselling industry is strong.
Client services like counselling come under The Health Care and Social Assistance industry in Australia. This industry is the largest employing industry in Australia and reports indicate that an increase to more than 1.9 million workers by 2024 is on the cards.
A school counsellor role is a good option if you need flexibility in a job — around 50% of the current positions are part-time.
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.
A role that supports young people emotionally and practically to better their academic lives is incredibly gratifying. A school counsellor job can also pave the way for other exciting career opportunities, professional development 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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School 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)
Mid
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Counsellor
Most common qualification: Diploma of Counselling (CHC51015) + Supervision
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Child counsellor
Most common qualification: Diploma of Counselling (CHC51015) + Supervision
-
Family counsellor
Most common qualification: Diploma of Counselling (CHC51015) + Supervision
-
Drug and alcohol 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)
-
Rehab 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.
To work as a school counsellor, you need to possess skills in personal engagement and relationships. People often naturally pick up these soft skills throughout their lives, but some have developed finely tuned direct and personal support abilities.
Some required school counsellor traits are:
Excellent communication
Communicating in a way that kids can understand is more productive and builds a positive rapport with them. Often active listening skills are needed to pick up non-verbal cues when a child is struggling to articulate themselves.
Warm and approachable
An approachable nature ensures a child feels at ease and comfortable enough to come to you with any problems they’re facing.
Have a great sense of humour
You can’t work with kids and not enjoy a giggle. You’ll encounter many humorous situations, and children respond well to people who don’t take everything too seriously.
Social
As a school counsellor, you’re around other people all of the time. Having a pleasant and friendly manner encourages good workplace relationships and makes you relatable to students.
Empathy and understanding
Working with children requires an enormous amount of empathy. Putting yourself in students’ shoes and using your own experiences as guides for supporting others allows for trust, a better relationship, and ultimately better outcomes.
Experienced counsellor Jo Woods reflects on how life experience and understanding positively impact a role as a counsellor.
“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.”
Hard skills
The job-specific skills that workers said were most important, supplemented with data from JobOutlook and online job advertisements.
A role as a school counsellor requires fundamental skills in counselling and working with children. You can learn this essential core knowledge through vocational training.
Some essential school counsellor skills are:
Understanding of mental and emotional issues facing students
Interviewing and counselling skills
Program and action plan coordination skills
Assessments and record taking skills
Child and adolescent development
Working with children and adolescents
Skills for working with mental health problems
Practical communication skills for family and caregivers
How to become a school counsellor
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Study
Most student counsellors in Australia have completed an undergraduate degree in counselling, psychology or another related field. A university degree, like a Bachelor of Counselling, offers you high-level training and can equip you with the knowledge to go straight into an independent counselling role. A degree takes around three years to complete full-time, and some people carry on from here to achieve postgraduate training.
If you are not quite ready for the time commitment of a degree, it is also possible to enter the industry with Vocational Education and Training (VET) qualification. For example, a Diploma of Counselling (CHC51015) can provide a solid basis to enter the workforce in a shorter time (around a year). This level of qualification would generally allow for a role under supervision at first but offer the opportunity to progress to higher-level qualifications through further study later on.
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Volunteer at a helpline
Volunteering to support vulnerable or troubled youth is an excellent opportunity for work experience in counselling. It also shows prospective employers that you have initiative and deeply care about the wellbeing of children. Lifeline has a variety of resources available to help you find a volunteer role that suits you.
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Register with your state teaching board
Some educational institutions may require you to register with your state teaching board before practising as a school counsellor. Qualifications for registry vary depending on state or territory. Refer to individual state websites for further information.
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Working with Children's Check
Before working in any school, you need to undergo a Working With Children’s Check. In most cases, this is a quick and easy process and carried out entirely online.
Explore related qualifications
In Australia, school counsellor courses come as a part of larger counselling qualifications. To get the accreditation and experience you need to work as an entry-level school counsellor, you can explore the below courses:
Diploma of Counselling
A Diploma of Counselling reflects the role of counsellors, who use established counselling processes to support clients with personal and psychological issues.
Counsellors at this qualification level usually work in defined and supported roles in established agencies rather than independently.
The average course duration is 12 months full-time, but self-paced and part-time study schedules are available from some course providers. Coursework delivery can be online, in-class or a combination of the two.
Government subsidies and payment options may be available to eligible learners.
3 providers offer this course
Bachelor of Counselling
This degree-level qualification is for those who wish to become a professionally accredited counsellor.
The course provides a range of skills in counselling and ethical working to support individuals, families and groups and work within mental health, aged services, child protection, disability services and a range of other human services.
There are specific enrollment requirements for a bachelor degree, including required education levels and admission tests.
The average duration for this qualification is generally three years full-time or part-time equivalent. The course can be studied online if required, and fee assistance and payment plans may be available to eligible students.
Related subjects
Opportunities to provide support and guidance to vulnerable people are not limited to a school counsellor role. The social services and welfare sectors constantly need newcomers who wish to make a positive difference.
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
Kyling
Aug 31 2021Well paid, independent role that allows me to help students and improve the school community and overall wellbeing.
What are the best parts of the job?
• Early mental health intervention • Student engagement • Whole school approach • Multidisciplinary teams • Access to PD • Meeting and working with other MHP • School holidays • Well paid role • Autonomous role • External supervision
What's the most challenging part?
• Working within a teaching culture with a social work framework • Funding barriers • Limited Access to community services • Covid • Wellbeing not being at the forefront of teachers minds • Technology • Consent • Stigma
Ruth
Sep 01 2021Helping children with their issues.
What are the best parts of the job?
When the children are satisfied with the outcome of their counselling and let me know I have done a good job helping them.
What's the most challenging part?
There are no challenges, I really enjoy my career.
Kassandra
Sep 01 2021Helping kids cope with their problems.
What are the best parts of the job?
Helping all the kids with their problems and making a positive change in their lives.
What's the most challenging part?
The amount of kids that come to me every week is large and sometimes I have to turn them away.
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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 role supporting and guiding young people to thrive in life is suited to the career personality of The Carer.
People who fit under The Carer personality type are empathetic, nurturing and genuinely love to see others succeed. They use their natural, humane approach to guide and support others and thrive in social work, health care, child care, and counselling roles.
Take the Career Quiz to discover what jobs are a great fit for you.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a school counsellor earn?
A school counsellor’s salary depends on the institution they work for and their level of experience. The Australian average wage for a school counsellor is $82K per year.
What makes a good school counsellor?
A good school counsellor has core skills in counselling students, empathy, patience and a strong desire to see young people thrive.
What qualifications do I need to be a school counsellor?
To become a school counsellor, you need a tertiary qualification like a Bachelor Degree in Counselling.
What is the role of a school counsellor?
A school counsellor works directly with students, teachers, and primary caregivers to address any issue that impacts the child’s ability to thrive in an education environment. They may also be involved in implementing various wellbeing programs within the school.
What do primary school counsellors do?
A counsellor working at the primary school level provides social, emotional, behavioural, and academic support and guidance specifically to address the needs of very young students.