How to Become a Relationship Counsellor

By Relationships Australia

According to the Australian Government, relationship counselling is a growth industry. The rewarding and challenging industry is gaining popularity, with more and more people wanting to create positive change within their careers. Considering the trajectory of the industry, and with the right characteristics, becoming a relationship counsellor may be the right move for you.

Do you have skills and experience in counselling? Want to specialise in relationship counselling and make a difference?

The relationship counselling industry is set to continue to grow in coming years

According to the Australian Government’s Labour Market Information Portal, the projected growth in relationship counsellor roles is expected to rise 24.8% by 2026.

As this industry grows, so will the number of jobs at many reputable Australian counselling organisations, making it a great field to switch to. As well as future-proofing your career, you can be confident that you’ll truly be making a positive difference to the lives of others.

Relationship counsellors are in high demand

With the stress off economic hardships, natural disasters and ongoing global issues, relationships are under more strain than ever, leading to an ever-growing demand on the industry and countless job openings. Additionally, the stigma surrounding relationship counselling is disappearing, making it increasingly common for people to seek out professional counselling to improve their relationships and assist when things are strained. There has never been a better time to change your career to relationship counselling than now.

It’s now easier than ever before to study online

The world has well and truly accepted the online environment for business, study, romance, friendships and more. Many professional learning organisations now offer their courses via blended learning, meaning you’ll learn primarily online, with a handful of face-to-face sessions over the duration of the course.

Even if a course is described as “full-time”, many people with busy schedules find they can still complete their study at their own pace.  The shift to a digital learning environment means that you can make your career change more convenient and seamless.

If you’ve reassessed your direction in life, it’s the ideal time to make a change

Australians are changing their careers more than ever. This is especially true during periods of uncertainty, where many people reconsider their priorities and determine whether they’re content with their current life and circumstances.

If you’ve recently reassessed your circumstances and decided you’re ready for a new challenge, then it could be the perfect time for you to take that leap and make a career change.

Perhaps you no longer find your current work as fulfilling, challenging or meaningful as you used to. Becoming a relationship counsellor could give you a renewed sense of purpose and enthusiasm.

The essential attributes of a relationship counsellor

This area of clinical work is not for the faint-hearted, as some of the issues couples and families are dealing with can be distressing and at times triggering for the counsellor themselves. But the rewards are also great, when outcomes are successful, and clients’ needs are met through the counselling process.

Certain personal attributes go a long way towards being a suitable candidate for developing professionally in this area of work, including:

  • Essentially liking people: A fundamental liking of people, a warm-hearted approach to being curious about people, the clients, and how they think and feel.
  • Tolerance and appreciation: Another important attribute is tolerance and genuine appreciation of your client’s cultural and family background. Clients are generally good at picking up if you are judgmental, stereotyping, or critical of them.
  • Compassion: Awareness of the widespread nature of suffering and struggle and the complexities and nuances of being human and being in relationships.
  • Sound ethical base: Practicing integrity, honesty and respect in both your personal and professional life.
  • Patience: Patience with oneself and others in learning new complex skills and making changes from the inside out.

How to become a relationship counsellor

The CHC81015 Graduate Diploma of Relationship Counselling (Responding to Family Violence) is your path to a rewarding and worthwhile career as a relationship counsellor. Your knowledge and skills will be recognised Australia-wide and will equip you to provide advice and support to those struggling with relationship issues. The diploma is designed for counsellors, family support workers, family and children’s contact workers, or equivalent practitioners, seeking to enhance their skills to work with individuals and families.

A new and enhanced format provides a diverse, blended learning experience for students, incorporating face-to-face, self-paced online and experiential learning. An integrated placement program provides the opportunity to put your skills into practice by working alongside an experienced relationship counsellor with real clients.

  • a Completed Diploma of Counselling; or
  • a Bachelor in Counselling, Psychology, Behavioural Science or Social Work; or
  • at least 3 years of direct family counselling experience.

The knowledge and skills you gain through this course will be recognised Australia-wide, and your areas of expertise will include couples therapy, family counselling, domestic and family violence, child wellbeing, crisis intervention, and grief counselling.

Our Graduate Diplomas are delivered in partnership with Relationships Australia Victoria. Contact ravtraining@rav.org.au to learn more about our Graduate Diploma of Relationship Counselling and enrol today.

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Relationships Australia NSW will be closed from Saturday 23 December 2023 until Tuesday 2 January 2024.  

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Relationships Australia NSW will be closed from Saturday 23 December 2023 until Tuesday 2 January 2024.  


This closure includes all local centres, head office and our customer care team. For any enquiries during this period, please email enquiries@ransw.org.au and a member of our team will be in touch as soon as we reopen.

Click here for more information. 
If you are in crisis, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14.

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