This page is updated when information changes, but it's always best to talk to your training provider to confirm course details before you enrol.
Overview
This qualification reflects the role of financial counsellors working in the following two contexts:
- Generalist financial counsellors who work in agencies that meet the requirements for exemptions from holding both an Australian Financial Services Licence and an Australian Credit Licence. Financial counsellors work across a variety of metropolitan, regional and remote settings. Generalist financial counsellors can assist both individuals and small businesses.
- Rural financial counsellors undertake specialised financial counselling work that assists primary producers and rural small businesses, and are employed in agencies funded for this purpose. These agencies meet the requirements for an exemption from holding an Australian Credit Licence.
All financial counsellors are experts in financial difficulty and provide advice and support to help clients get back on top of their financial issues. They work from a model of social justice and client empowerment.
This qualification is NOT related to the work performed by financial planners or financial advisers whose role is to provide clients with strategies to address their investment options and requires a financial services licence. This qualification is also not appropriate for financial capability workers.
This qualification does NOT refer to therapeutic counselling. Psychological issues, which affect individuals, families and groups such as gambling, substance abuse, child abuse and mental or physical health problems require referral to a professionally qualified practitioner However, a recognition of, and an ability to work within, a counselling framework and the way in which other issues may interact with financial issues is highly relevant to financial counselling practice.
To achieve this qualification, the individual must have completed a total of at least 220 hours of work in an industry workplace or simulated industry environment as detailed in the relevant assessment requirements of the units of competency. The total number of hours may be applied collectively across all units of competency that include the requirement for workplace hours.
The skills in this qualification must be applied in accordance with Commonwealth and State or Territory legislation, Australian standards and industry codes of practice.
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Financial help
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Government funding is not available for this course.
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Cost
Course costs can vary by provider and location. Ask your training provider for a cost estimate.
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VET Student Loans are available
See training providers offering VET Student Loans -
You may need to pay for equipment or materials.
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On-the-job training
- Apprenticeships and traineeships are not available for this course.
This course has 220 mandatory work placement hours.
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Entry requirements
This course doesn't have any entry requirements. It could be a good starting point for your career.
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Duration
You complete this course when you’ve learned the skills, not after a set amount of time. The times shown are estimates.
- Qualification only:
1–2 years
- Qualification only:
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Delivery options
You may be able to access this training in these ways:
Course content
This course is made up of units.
All courses have core units—these are mandatory for completing the course. Most courses also have elective units, which you can choose from to suit your needs and interests. Not all training providers offer every elective, so check with your provider to find out which electives they can offer you.
For more information about course content, talk to your training provider or visit the National Training Register.
| Unit | Unit type |
|---|---|
| Apply basic concepts of small business to financial counselling | Core |
| Apply professional standards in financial counselling | Core |
| Apply specialist interpersonal and counselling interview skills | Core |
| Establish and confirm the counselling relationship | Core |
| Establish the financial counselling relationship | Core |
| Facilitate the interests and rights of clients | Core |
| Interpret and use legal information | Core |
| Provide advice, counselling and representation to financial counselling clients | Core |
| Provide financial counselling and systemic advocacy within a social justice framework | Core |
| Recognise and respond to crisis situations | Core |
| Reflect on and improve own professional practice | Core |
| Support counselling clients in decision-making processes | Core |
| Work with diverse people | Core |
| Coordinate complex case requirements | Elective |
| Develop and implement community programs | Elective |
| Develop and review a business plan | Elective |
| Develop climate risk management strategies | Elective |
| Increase the safety of individuals at risk of suicide | Elective |
| Manage financial resources | Elective |
| Participate in negotiations | Elective |
| Perform financial calculations | Elective |
| Plan and monitor production processes | Elective |
| Prepare and monitor budgets and financial reports | Elective |
| Promote Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultural safety | Elective |
| Provide rural financial counselling services | Elective |
| Provide services to people with co-existing mental health and alcohol and other drugs issues | Elective |
| Recognise and respond appropriately to domestic and family violence | Elective |
| Undertake bicultural work with forced migrants in Australia | Elective |
| Work with clients within the social housing system | Elective |
| Work with forced migrants | Elective |
| Work with people experiencing or at risk of homelessness | Elective |
Job prospects
The Diploma of Financial Counselling sets you up for roles like these, but the skills you learn could take you even further.
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Financial Investment Adviser
ANZSCO 222311
Offer advice and develop strategies about financial planning, investing, insurance and other financial services.
Recommended education level:
Bachelor degree or higher -
Liaison Officer
ANZSCO 224912
Liaison Officers establish and facilitate communication between different community groups, organisations and governments.
Recommended education level:
Bachelor degree or higher -
Family Support Worker
ANZSCO 411713
Family Support Workers assist the work of Social Workers and Welfare Workers by providing services and support to families.
Recommended education level:
Diploma, Advanced Diploma or Associate Degree -
Residential Care Officer
ANZSCO 411715
Residential Care Officers provide care and supervision for children or disabled persons in group housing or institutional care.
Recommended education level:
Diploma, Advanced Diploma or Associate Degree -
Youth Worker
ANZSCO 411716
Support young people in the social, emotional, financial, study and employment aspects of their lives.
Recommended education level:
Diploma, Advanced Diploma or Associate Degree
Training providers delivering Diploma of Financial Counselling
It's a good idea to research multiple training providers to make sure you're getting the right training for you.
This course has a mandatory work placement. Skills Assure Suppliers help you to arrange a work placement. This service may not be available through other training providers.
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Australian Institute of Social Relations (RTO code 102358)
Contact this provider
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Eva Burrows College Vocational Training (RTO code 0328)
Contact this provider
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Indigenous Consumer Assistance Network Ltd (RTO code 45177)
Contact this provider
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THE AUSTRALIAN INSTITUTE OF PROFESSIONAL COUNSELLORS (RTO code 0670)
Contact this provider
How to enrol in this course
To enrol, choose a training provider that offers this course. You can see provider details on this page.
When you find one that you think suits you, visit their website or contact them directly to confirm details like start dates, fees, funding, delivery locations and delivery options.
The provider will guide you through the enrolment process.
How do apprenticeships and traineeships work?
Apprenticeships and traineeships let you combine hands-on work experience with training. You’ll gain job-ready skills and earn an income while you complete a qualification.
As an apprentice or a trainee, you work with an employer while completing your training. Most of your time is spent learning on the job, with some classroom or online training to support the skills you're developing in the workplace.
For some jobs, you may need to do an apprenticeship or traineeship before you are allowed to work as a qualified tradesperson. For example, you need to do an apprenticeship if you want to work as a licensed electrician.
Find out more about apprenticeships and traineeships.
See more information about the apprenticeship or traineeship you’re interested in pursuing on the Queensland Training Information Service.
How long will this course take?
This course is competency-based training, which means you progress as you demonstrate your skills and knowledge, rather than in a set amount of time.
The duration shown here is an estimate for full-time study based on how long most people take to complete the course. You may finish earlier than other people, or it may take you a bit longer.
If you’ve already completed training or have worked in a relevant area, you could get credits or recognition of prior learning. This can reduce the training you need to complete a qualification, which could reduce the time needed for training.
Duration for apprenticeships and traineeships
Apprenticeships and traineeships take longer than doing the qualification on its own, but you learn valuable hands-on skills.
For some jobs, you may need to do an apprenticeship or traineeship before you are allowed to work as a qualified tradesperson. For example, you need to do an apprenticeship if you want to work as a licensed electrician.
Learn about how courses are delivered
Different courses have different delivery options. Consider your needs when you’re researching courses. Some courses may be delivered entirely online or partially online. Others may be delivered in a classroom.
Some courses, like those delivered through apprenticeships and traineeships, are mostly based in the workplace but with some classroom or online study.
If a certain type of delivery is important to you, talk to your provider before you enrol to make sure they offer that delivery option.
How to reduce the cost of your course
There are lots of ways you can reduce the cost of your course.
- The government could partly or fully cover the cost of your course. See information about financial help and government funding on this page.
- The government also offers funding for some costs related to your course.
- If you’ve already completed training or have worked in a relevant area, you could get a cost credit or recognition of prior learning. This can reduce the training you need to complete a qualification, which could reduce the cost.
Learn about financial help and government funding
The main cost of training is usually the course fees, which vary depending on things like which course and training provider you choose.
You may be able to get your training for free or at a reduced cost, or you could get help with paying for training-related costs. You can also pay for some courses with a VET Student Loan.
Find out more about getting help paying for your training or check if you're eligible.
What are entry requirements?
Some courses have conditions you need to meet before you can enrol in the course. They help make sure you have the right background or skills for the training.
Entry requirements might include a certain education level, skills or knowledge, work status, or experience.