Graduate Diploma
Counsellors help people through difficult times in their lives, often when they are most vulnerable. Prepare for a career in counselling by building your personal and professional skills. With a focus on building counselling relationships with your clients that are essential to effective practice, you'll gain the skills you need to succeed in a rewarding career.
You'll have the opportunity to develop professional skills for a career in counselling by critically appraising the counselling literature, learning foundation skills of applied counselling practice, and developing a sound understanding of the core principles of counselling and case conceptualisation. Hear how these real-world learning principles have cemented Counselling student Jay's love for the practice.
After graduating from this course, you can apply to study the Master of Counselling and gain exemption from those units that are common to both degrees.
3 reasons to study a Graduate Diploma in Counselling at Murdoch
What you'll learn
Your future career
Graduates with corresponding undergraduate degrees may be employed in government and non-government counselling organisations working with adults, children, families and couples. Careers could include:
Professional accreditation
This course is accredited by the Australian Counselling Association (ACA).
The Graduate Diploma is a requisite step towards the Master of Counselling degree which has Professional Accreditation with the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA).
Professional recognition
Graduates are eligible to apply for Level 1 membership with the Australian Counselling Association (ACA).
Graduates may apply to enter the Master of Counselling degree which has Professional Accreditation with the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA).
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Select which option best describes your path to university :
Higher Education
You have completed university study in Australia, including a bridging or enabling course.Recent Secondary Education
You are finishing high school this year or have done so in the last two years.Vocational Education & Training
You have completed an apprenticeship or a VET course at TAFE or another private training provider.Work & Life Experience
You have completed an aptitude test or spent time away from study for work.| Means of admission | Minimum academic requirement | Minimum English requirement |
|---|---|---|
Enabling courses (in Year 12) - standard |
Successful completion of one of the following:
|
Evidence of completing Year 11 and 12 in Australia at any level (domestic applicants only), OR Evidence of completing a minimum of 2 years study at TAFE or an RTO (domestic applicants only), OR A STAT Written English score of 140 or higher, OR Scaled mark of 50 or higher in one of the following:
|
| University study | Successful completion of 2 units at an Australian University or Open Universities Australia (OUA). |
Successful completion of 2 units at an Australian University or Open Universities Australia (OUA). |
| Murdoch Institute of Technology (MIT) courses | Successful completion of one of the following:
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Successful completion of one of the following:
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Enabling courses (after Year 12) - standard |
Successful completion of one of the following:
|
Successful completion of the course. |
Enabling courses (in Year 12) - standard |
|---|
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Minimum academic requirement
Successful completion of one of the following:
|
|
Minimum English requirement
Evidence of completing Year 11 and 12 in Australia at any level (domestic applicants only), OR Evidence of completing a minimum of 2 years study at TAFE or an RTO (domestic applicants only), OR A STAT Written English score of 140 or higher, OR Scaled mark of 50 or higher in one of the following:
|
| University study |
|---|
|
Minimum academic requirement
Successful completion of 2 units at an Australian University or Open Universities Australia (OUA).
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|
Minimum English requirement
Successful completion of 2 units at an Australian University or Open Universities Australia (OUA).
|
| Murdoch Institute of Technology (MIT) courses |
|---|
|
Minimum academic requirement
Successful completion of one of the following:
|
|
Minimum English requirement
Successful completion of one of the following:
|
Enabling courses (after Year 12) - standard |
|---|
|
Minimum academic requirement
Successful completion of one of the following:
|
|
Minimum English requirement
Successful completion of the course.
|
| Means of admission | Minimum academic requirement | Minimum English requirement |
|---|---|---|
| GCE A Levels | Aggregate of 6 points from:
At least two A-level subjects are included in the calculation AS-level subject attempted at A-level is not eligible to be included A-level grades (A*=6, A=5, B=4, C=3, D=2, E=1) AS-level grades (A=2.5, B=2, C=1.5, D=1, E=0.5) |
A Levels: D in one of the following:
AS Level: C in one of the following:
Knowledge and Inquiry. |
| VET course studied at school | Successful completion of a Certificate IV or higher. |
Evidence of completing year 11 and 12 in Australia at any Level (Domestic Applicants Only) Evidence of completing a minimum of 2 years of studies at TAFE or an RTO (Domestic Applicants Only). Scaled mark of 50 or higher in one of the following:
or a STAT Written English score of 140 or higher. |
| International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma | Total score of 24 or higher. |
Higher level (HL): 3 or better. Standard Level (SL): 4 or better. Evidence of completing year 11 and 12 in Australia at any Level (Domestic Applicants Only) Evidence of completing a minimum of 2 years of studies at TAFE or an RTO (Domestic Applicants Only).
|
| Minimum Selection Rank (WA/ACT/NSW/NT/SA/TAS/VIC) | 70 |
Scaled mark of 50 or higher in one of the following (or interstate equivalent):
Or a STAT Written English score of 140 or higher. Or evidence of completing year 11 and 12 in Australia at any Level (Domestic applicants only). |
| Overseas Year 12 | Please refer to the information under the country of study. |
Please refer to the information under the country of study. |
| Extenuating circumstances | We'll consider applications from prospective students whose education has been compromised due to genuine hardship, resulting in them falling short of entry requirements for an undergraduate course. Find out more. |
Case-by-case assessment. |
Enabling courses (in Year 12) - standard |
Successful completion of one of the following:
|
Evidence of completing Year 11 and 12 in Australia at any level (domestic applicants only), OR Evidence of completing a minimum of 2 years study at TAFE or an RTO (domestic applicants only), OR A STAT Written English score of 140 or higher, OR Scaled mark of 50 or higher in one of the following:
|
| Western Australian Universities Foundation Program (WAUFP) | CPS 54 or higher. |
50% in English Language and Australian Cultural Studies (ELACS). |
| Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE) | Overall Position (OP) of 13 or lower. |
Sound Achievement (4) or better in a Queensland Studies Authority approved subject of one of the following:
Evidence of completing year 11 and 12 in Australia at any Level (Domestic Applicants Only) Evidence of completing a minimum of 2 years of studies at TAFE or an RTO (Domestic Applicants Only).
|
| GCE A Levels |
|---|
|
Minimum academic requirement
Aggregate of 6 points from:
At least two A-level subjects are included in the calculation AS-level subject attempted at A-level is not eligible to be included A-level grades (A*=6, A=5, B=4, C=3, D=2, E=1) AS-level grades (A=2.5, B=2, C=1.5, D=1, E=0.5) |
|
Minimum English requirement
A Levels: D in one of the following:
AS Level: C in one of the following:
Knowledge and Inquiry. |
| VET course studied at school |
|---|
|
Minimum academic requirement
Successful completion of a Certificate IV or higher.
|
|
Minimum English requirement
Evidence of completing year 11 and 12 in Australia at any Level (Domestic Applicants Only) Evidence of completing a minimum of 2 years of studies at TAFE or an RTO (Domestic Applicants Only). Scaled mark of 50 or higher in one of the following:
or a STAT Written English score of 140 or higher. |
| International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma |
|---|
|
Minimum academic requirement
Total score of 24 or higher.
|
|
Minimum English requirement
Higher level (HL): 3 or better. Standard Level (SL): 4 or better. Evidence of completing year 11 and 12 in Australia at any Level (Domestic Applicants Only) Evidence of completing a minimum of 2 years of studies at TAFE or an RTO (Domestic Applicants Only).
|
| Minimum Selection Rank (WA/ACT/NSW/NT/SA/TAS/VIC) |
|---|
|
Minimum academic requirement
70
|
|
Minimum English requirement
Scaled mark of 50 or higher in one of the following (or interstate equivalent):
Or a STAT Written English score of 140 or higher. Or evidence of completing year 11 and 12 in Australia at any Level (Domestic applicants only). |
| Overseas Year 12 |
|---|
|
Minimum academic requirement
Please refer to the information under the country of study.
|
|
Minimum English requirement
Please refer to the information under the country of study.
|
| Extenuating circumstances |
|---|
|
Minimum academic requirement
We'll consider applications from prospective students whose education has been compromised due to genuine hardship, resulting in them falling short of entry requirements for an undergraduate course. Find out more. |
|
Minimum English requirement
Case-by-case assessment.
|
Enabling courses (in Year 12) - standard |
|---|
|
Minimum academic requirement
Successful completion of one of the following:
|
|
Minimum English requirement
Evidence of completing Year 11 and 12 in Australia at any level (domestic applicants only), OR Evidence of completing a minimum of 2 years study at TAFE or an RTO (domestic applicants only), OR A STAT Written English score of 140 or higher, OR Scaled mark of 50 or higher in one of the following:
|
| Western Australian Universities Foundation Program (WAUFP) |
|---|
|
Minimum academic requirement
CPS 54 or higher.
|
|
Minimum English requirement
50% in English Language and Australian Cultural Studies (ELACS).
|
| Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE) |
|---|
Minimum academic requirementOverall Position (OP) of 13 or lower.
|
Minimum English requirementSound Achievement (4) or better in a Queensland Studies Authority approved subject of one of the following:
Evidence of completing year 11 and 12 in Australia at any Level (Domestic Applicants Only) Evidence of completing a minimum of 2 years of studies at TAFE or an RTO (Domestic Applicants Only).
|
| Means of admission | Minimum academic requirement | Minimum English requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Diploma or Advanced Diploma AQF level 5-6 | Successful completion of a Diploma or Advanced Diploma. |
Successful completion of a Diploma or Advanced Diploma. |
| Certificate IV AQF level 4 | Successful completion of a Certificate IV. |
Evidence of completing year 11 and 12 in Australia at any Level (Domestic Applicants Only), OR Evidence of completing a minimum of 2 years of studies at TAFE or an RTO (Domestic Applicants Only), OR STAT Written English score of 140 or higher (145 if prior to May 2010). |
| Diploma or Advanced Diploma AQF level 5-6 |
|---|
Minimum academic requirementSuccessful completion of a Diploma or Advanced Diploma.
|
Minimum English requirementSuccessful completion of a Diploma or Advanced Diploma.
|
| Certificate IV AQF level 4 |
|---|
Minimum academic requirementSuccessful completion of a Certificate IV.
|
Minimum English requirementEvidence of completing year 11 and 12 in Australia at any Level (Domestic Applicants Only), OR Evidence of completing a minimum of 2 years of studies at TAFE or an RTO (Domestic Applicants Only), OR STAT Written English score of 140 or higher (145 if prior to May 2010). |
| Means of admission | Minimum academic requirement | Minimum English requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Mature Age Pathway (MAP) | MAP involves an interview and a portfolio submission to be assessed by the Academic Chair of the course. Admission is based on relevant work and life experience. Applicants must also meet the English Language Competency requirements for the course. Email us for more information. |
Evidence of completing year 11 and 12 in Australia at any Level (Domestic Applicants Only). Evidence of completing a minimum of 2 years of studies at TAFE or an RTO (Domestic Applicants Only). Must be met according to the respective courses standard ELC requirements, STAT Written English 140, etc. |
| Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) | Multiple Choice score of 135 (145 if taken prior to May 2010). |
Evidence of completing year 11 and 12 in Australia at any Level (Domestic Applicants Only). Evidence of completing a minimum of 2 years of studies at TAFE or an RTO (Domestic Applicants Only). Written English Score of 140 (145 if taken prior to May 2010). |
| Mature Age Pathway (MAP) |
|---|
Minimum academic requirementMAP involves an interview and a portfolio submission to be assessed by the Academic Chair of the course. Admission is based on relevant work and life experience. Applicants must also meet the English Language Competency requirements for the course. Email us for more information. |
Minimum English requirementEvidence of completing year 11 and 12 in Australia at any Level (Domestic Applicants Only). Evidence of completing a minimum of 2 years of studies at TAFE or an RTO (Domestic Applicants Only). Must be met according to the respective courses standard ELC requirements, STAT Written English 140, etc. |
| Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) |
|---|
Minimum academic requirementMultiple Choice score of 135 (145 if taken prior to May 2010).
|
Minimum English requirementEvidence of completing year 11 and 12 in Australia at any Level (Domestic Applicants Only). Evidence of completing a minimum of 2 years of studies at TAFE or an RTO (Domestic Applicants Only). Written English Score of 140 (145 if taken prior to May 2010). |
You must meet a minimum standard in English to study at Murdoch, which for most courses can be demonstrated by providing evidence that you have completed Year 11 and 12 in Australia at any level if you are a domestic student, or through either English proficiency tests, university preparation courses, English language courses, previous tertiary study or vocational education.
Everyone has a different path to university so if you've already completed formal or informal learning, you could receive advanced standing. Also known as recognition of prior learning, advanced standing can reduce the amount of study needed to complete your degree by giving you credit for certain units.
Formal learning can include previous study in higher education vocational education or adult and community education. Informal learning can include on the job learning, various kinds of work and life experience.
This information applies to courses offered at our Australian campuses only. Courses offered at our Dubai and Singapore campuses or delivered by Open Universities Australia may have different requirements.
Everyone has a different path to university so if you've already completed formal or informal learning, you could receive advanced standing. Also known as recognition of prior learning, advanced standing can reduce the amount of study needed to complete your degree by giving you credit for certain units.
Formal learning can include previous study in higher education vocational education or adult and community education. Informal learning can include on the job learning, various kinds of work and life experience.
This information applies to courses offered at our Australian campuses only. Courses offered at our Dubai and Singapore campuses or delivered by Open Universities Australia may have different requirements.
Please indicate above whether you're a domestic or international student intending to study at a Western Australian campus.
Your document checklist
Ready to apply? Before you start, make sure you have all the following documentation ready for a quick application.
Compulsory documents
Evidence that you meet Academic entry and English language requirements such as:
Recommended documents (if applicable)
Your document checklist
Ready to apply? Before you start, make sure you have all the following documentation ready for a quick application.
Compulsory documents
Recommended documents