This occupation group covers Counsellors not elsewhere classified. Occupations in this group may work in a call centre.

Skill Level

1

Specialisations

• Gambling Counsellor
• Grief Counsellor
• Life Coach
• Sexual Assault Counsellor (Aus) / Sexual Abuse Counsellor (NZ)
• Trauma Counsellor

Unless you are exempt in very limited circumstances, you are required to have a positive Skills Assessment to apply for the visas listed above.

Skills Assessment authority for Counsellors nec is Vocational Education and Training Assess (VETASSESS). To have a positive skills assessment, you must meet the following criteria:

• Qualification(s) assessed at Australian Bachelor degree or higher degree with a highly relevant field of study and at least one year of post-qualification highly relevant employment at an appropriate skill level in the last five years.
• Highly relevant major fields of study include:
  • Counselling
  • Psychotherapy
• Nomination of the not elsewhere classified (nec) code requires applicants to hold qualifications and employment which do not better fit under another ANZSCO code, including the other counselling occupations.
• Applicants should include a cover letter that justifies the rationale for choosing an nec category.

provide information on vocational, relationship, social and educational difficulties and issues, and work with people to help them to identify and define their emotional issues through therapies such as cognitive behaviour therapy, interpersonal therapy and other talking therapies.

Tasks

• working with clients on career, study and employment options by obtaining and examining information relevant to their abilities and needs
• providing information and resources to assist clients with job-seeking skills
• assessing client needs in relation to treatment for drug and alcohol abuse
• conducting counselling interviews with individuals, couples and family groups
• assisting the understanding and adjustment of attitudes, expectations and behaviour to develop more effective interpersonal and marital relationships
• presenting alternative approaches and discussing potential for attitude and behaviour change
• consulting with clients to develop rehabilitation plans taking account of vocational and social needs
• contributing information, understanding and advice on the learning and behaviour of students, especially those with special needs, and assisting parents and teachers in dealing with these needs
• may work in a call centre

Skill Level

Most occupations in this unit group have a level of skill commensurate with a bachelor degree or higher qualification. In some instances relevant experience and/or on-the-job training may be required in addition to the formal qualification (ANZSCO Skill Level 1).

Occupations in this Group

• 272111 Careers Counsellor
• 272112 Drug and Alcohol Counsellor
• 272113 Family and Marriage Counsellor
• 272114 Rehabilitation Counsellor
• 272115 Student Counsellor
• 272199 Counsellors nec