two people in couselling session

Facts & figures

Global leaders in allied health

  • #3 in the world for sport, physical therapy and rehabilitation, 2021 QS Subject Rankings

Discipline of Rehabilitation Counselling

Help people reach their participation goals

Rehabilitation counselling is a dynamic, challenging and rewarding career that is grounded in social justice, human rights, community inclusion and the value and importance of work.

Courses in rehabilitation counselling

Learn how to assist people with disabilities or disadvantage to achieve maximum participation in employment and community life through assessment, counselling, service provision and support.

Our courses in rehabilitation counselling are accredited by Rehabilitation Counselling Association of Australasia (RCAA), which qualifies graduates to work as rehabilitation counsellors in Australia.

Postgraduate research

What is rehabilitation counselling?

Rehabilitation counselling is an allied health profession that assists people experiencing injuries, disabilities, health conditions and social disadvantage to achieve their personal, educational and vocational goals.

Rehabilitation counsellors are responsible for providing specialist counselling, rehabilitation and resource coordination services to maximise people's independence and inclusion in employment and other community settings.

They work with a variety of people, including those with physical or mental health conditions, chronic pain, drug and alcohol issues, or at-risk concerns such as refugee status, homelessness and ageing.

Career opportunities

Rehabilitation counsellors work in diverse settings including business and industry, government departments, private practice, not-for-profit agencies, health departments and districts, social service, advocacy and research.

Career paths include a range of professional areas such as community-based rehabilitation, workplace rehabilitation, disability management, workers’ compensation, life insurance and consumer advocacy services.  

Research opportunities

Applied research in rehabilitation counselling at the University of Sydney is aimed at improving the lives of people impacted by mental, physical or social disadvantage. Our research staff support higher degree research candidates to develop research expertise.

Research Supervisor Connect matches your research interests to available PhD and master's research opportunities and supervisors.
 

Why study with us?

1

Brand new education and research facilities
in the Susan Wakil Health Building

Learn more
2

Graduate career-ready and in demand
we’re 1st in Australia for graduate employability

View our rankings
3

Study that fits around you
choose to study online via distance-education or on-campus

Explore your options
4

Hands-on clinical training
gain comprehensive professional experience with clinical placements embedded throughout your studies

Learn about placements
5

Learn from highly respected practitioners and researchers
Our research ranks "well above world-class" (ERA level 5)

Our research

Our people

Head of Discipline

Headshot of Lynda Matthews
Associate Professor Lynda Matthews
View academic profile

Featured news