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How to Become A Marriage Counsellor

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What is a Marriage Counsellor

A marriage counsellor helps people through some of the hardest moments in their relationships. Whether working with couples, families or individuals, they create a safe space to talk and move forward.

Day to day, they run sessions and help clients understand their own patterns. They guide clients towards better communication and healthier habits. They work with a wide range of issues, from trust and intimacy to major life changes and family conflict.

In Australia, you can work in private practice, community organisations, government agencies or by phone. The role offers great flexibility for people who want meaningful work and a good work-life balance. Most of the workforce is part-time, and the field is strongly female-dominated.

To get started, most people complete a Diploma of Counselling (CHC51015) or a degree in counselling, psychology or social work. Joining a professional body like the ACA or PACFA is the normal next step. It boosts your profile and keeps you connected to the latest best practice.

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Career Outlook for Marriage Counsellor

Marriage counselling is a stable and growing career in Australia. Jobs and Skills Australia (2025) reports approximately 1,900 people employed as family and marriage counsellors nationally (ANZSCO 272113). Future demand is rated very strong by Your Career (2025). This is driven by growing community awareness of mental health and relationship wellbeing.

The workforce is predominantly female, at 83%, and the median age is 50 years (Jobs and Skills Australia, 2025). Around 58% of practitioners work part-time, with an average of 40 hours per week for those in full-time roles. The average weekly salary is $1,477, based on recent data from Your Career (2025).

The broader Counsellors group (ANZSCO 2721) employs over 40,100 people. Annual employment growth is around 2,800 (Jobs and Skills Australia, 2025). For marriage counsellors specifically, work is concentrated in the health care and social assistance sector. This career suits people who want meaningful work, flexible hours and a real difference in people’s lives.

On this Article

Introduction

Average Salaries

Resources

Steps to Become a Marriage Counsellor

Step 1: Complete a Diploma of Counselling (CHC51015)

Start with the Diploma of Counselling (CHC51015) at a TAFE or registered training organisation (RTO). This qualification takes 12 to 18 months full-time or up to two years part-time. It is available online and on campus across Australia. It covers core counselling skills, ethical practice and supervised client hours. The CHC51015 is the minimum qualification accepted by the ACA for entry-level membership.

Step 2: Gain supervised practical experience

Complete the mandatory placement hours required within your Diploma or degree program. Most programs need at least 100 hours of supervised client contact. Seek additional experience through volunteer work, community counselling centres or entry-level support roles. Hands-on practice is essential before you can work independently or apply for professional membership.

Step 3: Consider a bachelor degree in counselling or a related field

To access higher-level roles and full PACFA registration, complete a Bachelor of Counselling. A degree in psychology, social work or a related field also meets the requirement. This takes three years full-time at a university or PACFA-accredited institution. A degree gives access to a wider range of employers and higher pay. It also opens up specialist areas such as family therapy and trauma counselling.

Step 4: Register with a professional body

Apply for membership with the Australian Counselling Association (ACA) or the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA). Both bodies need a relevant qualification, evidence of supervised practice and a commitment to ongoing professional development (CPD). Membership is not legally required in Australia, but most employers and funding bodies expect it. It also gives you access to an ethical complaints process, peer support and ongoing training.

Step 5: Develop specialist skills

Build expertise in therapeutic approaches such as EFT, CBT or the Gottman Method. Short courses and postgraduate certificates in these areas are widely available. Specialising in areas like family violence, trauma or cross-cultural counselling can expand your career options and increase your earning potential.

Step 6: Establish your practice or join an organisation

Choose a work setting that suits your goals. Options include private practice, community health centres, non-profit family services, government agencies or online platforms. If you set up private practice, you will need appropriate professional indemnity insurance. Allow six to twelve months to build a client base. Many counsellors start in an agency role before moving to private practice.

What does a Marriage Counsellor do?

As a marriage counsellor, your days are built around people. You run sessions with individuals, couples and families, helping them talk through everything from communication issues to major conflicts. You listen closely, ask good questions and help clients see their own patterns. From there, you work together to find practical strategies for change. You might be in a private practice one day and supporting clients by phone the next. No two days look exactly the same, and that is part of what makes the work so rewarding.

Tasks

Marriage counsellors do meaningful, hands-on work every day. They guide people through some of life’s most challenging moments and help them build stronger relationships for the future.

  • Conduct counselling interviews: meet with individuals, couples and families to understand their relationship issues and goals.
  • Help clients adjust attitudes: support clients in examining their expectations and finding healthier ways of relating.
  • Present alternative approaches: discuss practical strategies for changing thought patterns and behaviours that are not working.
  • Develop rehabilitation plans: build tailored plans that address each client’s social, emotional and vocational needs.
  • Provide phone and online counselling: support clients remotely, including through call-centre and telehealth settings.

Skills for Success

To thrive as a marriage counsellor, you need great people skills and a genuine desire to help others. Empathy and patience are the big ones, but they need to be backed up by practical counselling knowledge and technique.

You will also need to think clearly under pressure, communicate complex ideas in plain language, and keep detailed records. Being culturally sensitive matters too. You will work with people from all walks of life, and understanding their backgrounds helps you give better support. A commitment to ongoing learning keeps your skills current as the field evolves.

Skills & Attributes

  • Empathy and compassion
  • Active listening
  • Clear verbal communication
  • Conflict resolution
  • Knowledge of counselling theories and therapeutic models
  • Critical thinking and problem-solving
  • Cultural sensitivity and awareness
  • Ability to maintain confidentiality
  • Patience and emotional resilience
  • Objectivity and professional boundaries
  • Record-keeping and documentation
  • Collaboration with other health and social service professionals
  • Adaptability to diverse client needs
  • Knowledge of relationship dynamics
  • Ethical judgement and professional conduct

Average Salaries

The average yearly salary for a marriage counsellor in Australia is around $76,900 a year. This is based on an average weekly rate of $1,477 (Your Career, 2025). Entry-level roles start at around $55,000. Senior counsellors can earn up to $99,000.

min $55 K

max $99 K

av $77 K

About the author

Laura Atkinson - Course Finder Groups
Laura Atkinson

Laura Atkinson is an Account Management and SEM specialist at Course Finder Group with six years' experience in the Australian education sector. She works day to day with universities, TAFEs and independent training providers, which gives her a close view of how courses map to real career outcomes. She writes practical guidance on career pathways, choosing the right qualification and what to expect when moving into a new field.