About us
The University is ranked first in Australia and fourth in the world for graduate employability in the QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2020.
Find out moreThe University is a world leader in health science research and education. All our research is ranked at world standard or above.
Find out more
In response to COVID-19, the University of Sydney has reviewed the availability of courses to be delivered remotely for students commencing their studies in Semester 1, 2021.
This course will be available to study remotely for students commencing in Semester 1, 2021. Please note that some units of study that are not essential to completing the degree may not be available to be studied remotely. Students will be required to be physically present from Semester 2, 2021.
Note: The University intends to offer as many units of study as possible in a remote as well as face-to-face learning method of delivery in Semester 1, 2021 and subject to ongoing border closures and public health orders impacting attendance on campus, in Semester 2, 2021. However, some units of study and courses require students to study in-person at the relevant University of Sydney campus/es and host locations for placements and will not be available remotely.
International students
For detailed information on remote study options for international students in 2021 please read the section below titled 'Options for international students commencing remotely in 2021.'
About this course
The Graduate Diploma in Rehabilitation Counselling offers career expansion for students wishing to add to their existing qualifications in social sciences or health sciences. You will be qualified to provide vocational evaluation, vocational counselling, and case management in workers compensation settings as a rehabilitation counsellor.
The aim of rehabilitation counselling is to assist people with disabilities or disadvantage to attain maximum participation in employment and community life through appropriate assessment, counselling, service provision and support.
During this course, you will study: vocational development and counselling, applied psychosocial and medical rehabilitation, case management, client assessment and job placement, work injury and worker's compensation, and rehabilitation philosophy.
You will have the opportunity to experience your chosen career path via clinical fieldwork placements in workers compensation and rehabilitation settings.
Why study with us?
How will you learn?
The course is offered on campus and by distance/online.
Who should study this course?
Health and non-health graduates who are looking to gain the skills required for professional practice as a rehabilitation counsellor.
Learn more about studying health sciences at Sydney.
There are no specialisations for this course.
For academic requirements check the ‘Admission requirements’ section on this page.
You can apply online via the application portal. When you are ready to apply, select the ‘Apply’ button on this course page. Visit the How to apply page for other important information.
Application dates
Applications open - 1 July of the preceding year
Applications close - 31 January of the commencing year
Offers released: Offers are made throughout the year based on academic merit and subject to availability in the program.
We strongly encourage applicants to apply as early as possible, offers are made on a rolling basis and places are limited. Separate scholarship deadlines apply - check the scholarships website for details.
If you would like to be considered for a Commonwealth Supported Place, please submit your application for this course by 30 November 2019.
Semester 1 (March)
You can apply online via the application portal. When you are ready to apply, select the ‘Apply’ button on this course page. Visit the How to apply page for other important information.
Application dates
Applications open - 15 March of the preceding year
Applications close - 31 January of the commencing year
Offers released: Offers are made throughout the year based on academic merit and subject to availability in the program.
We strongly encourage international applicants to apply as early as possible to allow time for visa and travel arrangements. Separate scholarship deadlines may apply - check the scholarships website for details.
Semester 1 (March)
This course is a graduate-entry program (students are required to have completed an undergraduate degree prior to entry).
You will follow a prescribed course of study with a total 48 credit points (cp) incorporating eight core units.
For a more detailed unit of study overview, visit our handbook.
Mandatory work component = 200 hours.
This translates to 40 hours per week.
This mandatory work component must be completed as part of the award requirements for the course.
Key course details for 2021
In the first year of your candidature, most units of study can be completed remotely.
The unit of study REHB5925 involves a placement that requires you to undertake face to face learning either on campus in Sydney or at placement locations in Australia. Under the course rules, you must complete this unit to complete the course.
Detailed information about your options for studying in 2021
If you wish to commence your course remotely, you can enrol and commence all units of study except for REHB5925 and complete them remotely in 2021.
If you commence remotely in Semester 1, 2021 but are unable to travel to Sydney for Semester 2, 2021, you will not be able to enrol in and complete REHB5925 before 2022. This means that your total course duration will be extended from one year to two years.
To be eligible to apply you will need to fulfill the following criteria:
Inherent requirements are the essential tasks and activities necessary to be able to achieve the core learning outcomes of a course. They are specific to a particular course or discipline. To assist students to make informed choices about their study, we have identified and set out the inherent requirements for this course.
For more information about the University’s credit policy, please see the Credit for Previous Studies page.
The Graduate Diploma in Rehabilitation Counselling is accredited by the Rehabilitation Counselling Association of Australasia. (RCAA).
Following course completion, graduates are eligible to apply for membership of RCAA.
RCAA is a member of Allied Health Professions Australia (AHPA). RCAA members are recognised by the Heads of Workers' Compensation Authority (HWCA); Australian state-based Workers' Compensation Authorities, the Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) in New Zealand; and provision of services under Life Insurance, Comcare and Compulsory Third Party Insurance (CTP) schemes.
More information can be obtained from the Rehabilitation Counselling Association of Australasia.
Graduates attain professional status as a rehabilitation counsellor and are qualified to provide specialist counselling, rehabilitation, and case management services to people who have experienced injury, disability or social disadvantage.
Rehabilitation counsellors work:
