Addiction Counsellor

An Addiction Counsellor supports individuals struggling with substance abuse and behavioural addictions. You might work in a rehabilitation centre, outpatient clinic, or community organisation. Addiction Counsellors focus on developing treatment plans, providing one-on-one therapy, and facilitating group counselling sessions. You’ll assess clients’ needs, help them set achievable recovery goals, and offer guidance and support throughout their journey to recovery.

Addiction Counsellors play a vital role in the recovery process. You’ll need to be empathetic, patient, and skilled in communication to effectively support clients. You’ll collaborate with healthcare professionals and families to ensure clients receive comprehensive care and are making progress towards their recovery objectives.

Future demand High
Average yearly income $92,560
Skill level Advanced

How do I become a addiction counsellor?

All skill levels Beginner Experienced
Recommended
CHC53215

Diploma of Alcohol and Other Drugs
Blended, On Campus, Online
12 - 24 months
$0 - $18,127
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Substance Abuse Counsellor Welfare Worker Drug and Alcohol Counsellor
Rehabilitation Counsellor Human Rights Advocate Healthcare Social Worker Palliative Care Social Worker Probation Officer Addiction Counsellor Behaviour Therapist Family Therapist
+ 8 more
CHC52021

Diploma of Community Services
Blended, On Campus, Online
8 - 18 months
$49 - $9,900
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Housing Officer Family Support Worker Support Worker
Community Corrections Officer Community Development Worker Senior Support Worker Welfare Worker Youth Justice Officer Outreach Worker Intake Worker Aboriginal Community Care Worker Case Manager Community Care Worker Social Worker Park Manager Rehabilitation Counsellor Life Coach Remedial Yoga Therapist Intelligence Officer Case Worker Regional Coordinator Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner Financial Counsellor Conservation Manager Student Experience Officer Council Member Migrant Support Worker Art Therapist Community Outreach Coordinator International Development Worker Behaviour Support Specialist Crime Prevention Officer Social Justice Advocate Community Arts Worker Policy Researcher Community Worker Human Rights Activist Youth Support Officer Community Services Officer Arts Programmer Human Rights Advocate Editorial Writer Creative Writer Climate Scientist Resource Economist Agricultural Economist Neurologist Community Educator Mental Health Advocate Nutrition Advisor Nutrition Scientist Healthcare Social Worker Palliative Care Social Worker Law Enforcement Officer Youth Officer Probation Officer Mental Health Case Manager Hospital Social Worker Disability Advocate Social Welfare Officer Education Support Officer Community Engagement Coordinator Humanitarian Aid Worker Cultural Advisor Indigenous Support Worker Clinical Supervisor Community Health Liaison Addiction Counsellor Global Health Advisor Community Advocate Wellbeing Coordinator Social Work Supervisor Child Psychologist Family Therapist Community Rehabilitation Worker Disability Employment Consultant Youth Advocate Program Evaluator Aged Care Coordinator Doula Community Recovery Officer Gerontologist Health Advisor
+ 80 more
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Housing Officer Family Support Worker Support Worker Community Corrections Officer Community Development Worker Senior Support Worker Welfare Worker Youth Justice Officer Outreach Worker Intake Worker Aboriginal Community Care Worker Case Manager Community Care Worker Social Worker Park Manager Rehabilitation Counsellor Life Coach Remedial Yoga Therapist Intelligence Officer Case Worker Regional Coordinator Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner Financial Counsellor Conservation Manager Student Experience Officer Council Member Migrant Support Worker Art Therapist Community Outreach Coordinator International Development Worker Behaviour Support Specialist Crime Prevention Officer Social Justice Advocate Community Arts Worker Policy Researcher Community Worker Human Rights Activist Youth Support Officer Community Services Officer Arts Programmer Human Rights Advocate Editorial Writer Creative Writer Climate Scientist Resource Economist Agricultural Economist Neurologist Community Educator Mental Health Advocate Nutrition Advisor Nutrition Scientist Healthcare Social Worker Palliative Care Social Worker Law Enforcement Officer Youth Officer Probation Officer Mental Health Case Manager Hospital Social Worker Disability Advocate Social Welfare Officer Education Support Officer Community Engagement Coordinator Humanitarian Aid Worker Cultural Advisor Indigenous Support Worker Clinical Supervisor Community Health Liaison Addiction Counsellor Global Health Advisor Community Advocate Wellbeing Coordinator Social Work Supervisor Child Psychologist Family Therapist Community Rehabilitation Worker Disability Employment Consultant Youth Advocate Program Evaluator Aged Care Coordinator Doula Community Recovery Officer Gerontologist Health Advisor + 80 more
CHC53315

Diploma of Mental Health
Online
12 months
$7,995
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Mental Health Worker Family Support Worker Peer Support Worker
Support Worker Outreach Worker Crisis Support Worker Mental Health Practitioner Intake Worker Mental Health Support Worker Rehabilitation Counsellor Life Coach Remedial Yoga Therapist Advanced Personal Trainer Community Worker Community Services Officer Human Rights Advocate Mental Health Advocate Healthcare Social Worker Palliative Care Social Worker Probation Officer Mental Health Case Manager Addiction Counsellor Wellbeing Coordinator Psychiatric Nurse Child Psychologist Behaviour Therapist Family Therapist Neuroscientist Health Advisor
+ 26 more

Graduate Certificate in Mental Health Practice
On Campus, Online
12 months
$0 - $19,000
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Mental Health Worker Addiction Counsellor Mental Health Counsellor
Mental Health Specialist Mental Health Practitioner Mental Health Clinician
+ 3 more
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Mental Health Worker Addiction Counsellor Mental Health Counsellor Mental Health Specialist Mental Health Practitioner Mental Health Clinician + 3 more

Master of Counselling and Psychotherapy
On Campus
24 months
$0 - $61,000
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Addiction Counsellor Clinical Supervisor Counsellor
Psychotherapist
+ 1 more
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Addiction Counsellor Clinical Supervisor Counsellor Psychotherapist + 1 more
*Showing course fees for all providers. Some providers may not be available in your area.

Related occupations

Substance Abuse Counsellor

Substance Abuse Counsellors treat addiction patients, developing support plans tailored to individual needs and circumstances while collaborating with their support networks.

Avg yearly income $83,200
Skill level Advanced

Social Worker

Social workers assist individuals and communities in overcoming challenges related to health, income, and social issues, offering resources and policy support.

Avg yearly income $88,400
Skill level Advanced

Intake Worker

An Intake Worker assesses clients at welfare services, conducting evaluations and coordinating care plans while communicating effectively with stakeholders.

Avg yearly income $89,960
Skill level Advanced

Drug and Alcohol Counsellor

Drug and Alcohol Counsellors assist individuals and families struggling with substance addiction, guiding them through recovery and interventions.

Avg yearly income $98,800
Skill level Advanced

Mental Health Advocate

A Mental Health Advocate supports individuals by promoting their rights, accessing services, and navigating mental health systems with empathy and guidance.

Avg yearly income $65,000
Skill level Advanced

Further reading

How to start a career in the treatment of addiction

13th July 2020)

How to start a career in counselling

7th September 2020)

What can you do with a Certificate IV in Alcohol and Other Drugs?

4th November 2020)

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