Counsellor salary in Australia
ANZSCO occupation: Counsellors
Last reviewed July 2026
Source: Jobs and Skills Australia — Occupation Profiles (ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025) · 2025 data. Annual figure derived from median weekly earnings × 52.
See your take-home pay on $112,000 →At a glance
- People employed
- 40,100
- Annual employment growth
- +2,800/yr
- 5-yr projected growth
- +13%
- Skills shortage rating
- No national shortage
- Main industry
- Health Care and Social Assistance
- Works full-time
- 49%
- Avg full-time hours
- 41 hrs/wk
- Works part-time
- 51%
- Female share
- 79%
- Median age
- 44 yrs
Source: Jobs and Skills Australia — Occupation Profiles (ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025) (2025) · Jobs and Skills Australia — Employment Projections (May 2025 to May 2030), produced with Victoria University (2025) · Jobs and Skills Australia — 2025 Occupation Shortage List (unit-group level) (2025)
What does a counsellor do?
Counsellors 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.
- 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
How to become a counsellor
Typical education for this occupation, and courses that lead to it.
Education held by people in this role
Where counsellors are employed
Share of workers by state and territory (employment distribution, not pay).
Counsellor jobs
Related occupations
Similar occupations
Jobs that pay similar to a counsellor
Frequently asked questions
How much does a counsellor earn in Australia?
The median counsellor earns $112,008 per year ($2,154 per week, or about $54/hour), based on Jobs and Skills Australia — Occupation Profiles (ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025) (2025).
What qualifications do you need to be a counsellor?
Most counsellors hold a postgraduate qualification (38.7% of workers). Pathways vary — see typical courses above.
Is counsellor a job in demand in Australia?
Around 40,100 counsellors are employed in Australia. Employment is changing by about +2,800 workers per year.
Earnings, employment and education data: Jobs and Skills Australia — Occupation Profiles (ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025) (2025). Used under CC BY 4.0.
Employment projections: Jobs and Skills Australia — Employment Projections (May 2025 to May 2030), produced with Victoria University (2025). Used under CC BY 4.0.
Skills shortage ratings: Jobs and Skills Australia — 2025 Occupation Shortage List (unit-group level) (2025). Used under CC BY 4.0.
The ABS median refers to full-time non-managerial employees paid at the adult rate; individual pay varies. Annual figures derived from median weekly earnings × 52. Figures are estimates for guidance only.