Counselling Courses Hecs Help
Based on the 21 counselling and mental health courses we found, none currently list HECS-HELP as a funding option — HECS-HELP applies to Commonwealth-supported university places, and the counselling qualifications matched here (from providers like Edith Cowan University Online, University of Canberra, La Trobe University, the Australian Institute of Professional Counsellors, Open Colleges and The Institute of Applied Psychology) are set up as full-fee or FEE-HELP-style programs rather than HECS-HELP-funded places. That said, some university degrees such as the Bachelor of Counselling, Bachelor of Social Work and various Master's and Graduate Diploma options may still be eligible for FEE-HELP loans, so it's worth checking directly with the provider about your options. Qualifications on offer range from short 7-day certificates and Diplomas through to Graduate Diplomas, Master's degrees and a full Bachelor of Counselling, with study lengths from about 4 months to 3 years and almost everything delivered online so you can fit study around work and life.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there government-funded counselling courses?
Among the 21 courses we matched, none are listed as government-funded or HECS-HELP places. Funding rules differ by state and provider, so if cost is a concern, contact the provider directly to ask about payment plans, FEE-HELP eligibility for degree-level courses, or any state subsidies that might apply to you.
Is there a free counselling course available?
None of the 21 matched courses are free or fully subsidised. 'Free' funding usually means government or state subsidisation rather than a $0 price, and eligibility for that kind of support depends on your circumstances and the provider, so it's best to ask each provider whether any concessions or subsidies apply.
Are there any free counselling courses available in Australia?
Not within this set of 21 courses — they're offered by universities and private providers such as Edith Cowan University Online, University of Canberra, La Trobe University, Open Colleges and the Australian Institute of Professional Counsellors, and all currently require fee payment. Some degree-level options may qualify for a FEE-HELP loan, which lets you defer costs, so check with the provider before ruling anything out.
Is it worth doing a Diploma of Counselling?
It can be a solid entry point: the matched Diploma of Counselling courses from Open Colleges and The Institute of Applied Psychology run online for up to 24 months and are designed to build foundational counselling skills, which can lead into further study like a Bachelor of Counselling or Graduate Diploma if you want to work toward registration as a counsellor.
What levels of counselling qualifications can I study?
The 21 matched courses span a wide range — from short courses like the 7-day NLP Practitioner course, through Certificate IV and Diploma options, up to Graduate Diplomas, Master's degrees (such as the Master of Counselling at Edith Cowan University Online and University of Canberra), and a full Bachelor of Counselling — so you can choose a starting point that matches your experience and career goals.
