Accepting Applications

Nationally Recognised RPL Pathway

Diploma of Counselling

CHC51015

You have the experience in supporting others through life's complex challenges. Your years of practice in community settings and agency roles can be formally recognised through our streamlined assessment process. Start your free skills review today to see how your expertise aligns with national standards.

Free Skills Review
★★★★★5.0 · Based on 58 reviews across all qualifications

About This Qualification

This qualification reflects the role of counsellors, who work with clients on personal and psychological issues using established counselling modalities. They use communication, micro-counselling and interviewing skills and draw on varied counselling therapies to assist clients. At this level, the counsellor will be working in defined and supported counselling roles in established agencies rather than in independent practice.

Qualification Code

CHC51015

Training Package

CHC — Community Services

AQF Level

Diploma

Total Units

17 (13 core + 4 elective)

Entry Requirements

This qualification has no entry requirements.

RPL It Status: Available

Important: RPL It Australia is a student support service. All assessment and qualification issuance is conducted by our partner Registered Training Organisations (RTOs). RPL It does not deliver training, conduct assessments, or issue qualifications.

Career Outcomes

According to training.gov.au, this qualification supports the following roles:

RoleResponsibilities
CounsellorWorking within established agencies to help clients identify emotional issues and develop therapeutic goals.
Welfare Support WorkerProviding emotional and practical assistance to individuals navigating complex social or psychological challenges.
Case ManagerCoordinating comprehensive support services and reviewing client progress within a therapeutic framework.

Delivering Registered Training Organisations

All assessment and qualification issuance for this qualification is carried out by one of the following partner RTOs, each of which holds CHC51015 on their scope of registration with ASQA:

Which RTO will deliver my qualification? The delivering RTO will be confirmed during your skills review and prior to enrolment. Your qualification will be issued directly by the delivering RTO and is nationally recognised under the Australian Qualifications Framework.

Fees

Final pricing will be confirmed before enrolment.

You will receive a detailed, personalised quote — including the total fee, payment terms, interest-free payment plan options, and the name of the delivering RTO — before you are asked to enrol or make any payment.

Refund policy:If RPL It is unable to process your application, you will receive a full refund of any fees paid to RPL It. Once your portfolio has been submitted to the RTO for assessment, the RTO's refund policy applies. Details will be provided before enrolment.

Indicative Timeframes

✓ What we control

  • • Guiding you through evidence gathering
  • • Submitting a complete portfolio to the RTO
  • • Following up on your behalf

⏳ What we don't control

  • • The RTO's assessment workload
  • • The assessor's evaluation timeline
  • • The qualification issuance process

Based on our experience, the majority of RPL candidates receive their qualification within 4–6 weeks of their complete evidence portfolio being submitted to the RTO. Individual timeframes vary based on qualification complexity, evidence completeness, and RTO capacity.

Roles & Responsibilities

RPL It AustraliaDelivering RTO
RoleStudent support serviceRegistered Training Organisation
Initial skills review✅
Evidence gathering guidance✅
Formal assessment✅ Qualified assessors
Assessment judgement✅ Made by the RTO
Gap trainingAvailable if required (delivered by RTO)
Qualification issuance✅ Issued by the RTO
Complaints & appealsOwn complaints process✅ RTO process applies to assessments

RPL It Australia Pty Ltd (ABN 55 689 826 917) is not an RTO and does not deliver training, conduct assessments, or issue qualifications.

Ready to get recognised?

Start with a free skills review to see if your experience aligns with this qualification.

Free Skills Review
✓

Receive a free preliminary review of your experience

✓

Dedicated consultant guides you through every step

✓

Nationally recognised qualification issued by our partner RTO

★★★★★

5.0 across all qualifications

Could RPL Be Right for You?

Experience can be evidence.

RPL is the process that helps you demonstrate it.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is a formal assessment process that evaluates the skills, knowledge, and experience you've gained through your career to determine whether you meet the requirements of a nationally recognised qualification. It isn't a shortcut — it applies the same assessment standards as any other pathway.

RPL typically involves:

📋

A review of your work experience against the qualification requirements

💼

Compilation of an evidence portfolio demonstrating your competency

👤

Assessment by a qualified assessor from a Registered Training Organisation

🎯

If gaps are identified, targeted training to build on your existing expertise

ℹ️ Important Pathway Advice

RPL isn't the right pathway for everyone. If you don't have substantial, relevant, and current industry experience, a traditional study pathway may serve you better.

Our approach:

“We'd rather guide you to the right pathway than enrol you in the wrong one.”

What Kind of Experience Counts?

If RPL becomes available for this qualification, the types of experience and evidence that would typically be relevant include:

💼

Work History & Roles

  • ✓Current and historical resumes
  • ✓Detailed position descriptions from welfare or support roles
  • ✓Records of professional supervision and clinical debriefing
🗣️

Counselling Practice

  • ✓De-identified case notes and therapeutic plans
  • ✓Evidence of applying specific modalities like CBT or person-centred therapy
  • ✓Third-party reports on micro-counselling and interviewing skills
⚠️

Crisis & Case Management

  • ✓Crisis intervention logs and risk assessments
  • ✓Safety planning documentation
  • ✓Case management files and progress reviews
⚖️

Professional & Ethical

  • ✓Records of ongoing professional development
  • ✓Evidence of working within legal and ethical frameworks
  • ✓Documentation of cultural safety protocols and diverse client support
📝

Practice Reflection

  • ✓Self-reflection journals on professional practice
  • ✓Performance appraisals from agency supervisors
  • ✓Evidence of research into personality and learning theories
❓

Not sure if you qualify?

Speak with our team for a free eligibility discussion.

Talk to us

This is general guidance based on training.gov.au. Specific requirements will be confirmed by the delivering RTO's assessor when RPL becomes available.

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about this qualification and RPL.

How do I get started with RPL for this qualification?▾
The process begins with a free skills review where we evaluate your counselling experience against the CHC51015 requirements. If you're a good candidate, you'll work with a consultant to build an evidence portfolio, which is then formally assessed by a qualified assessor from our partner RTO.
Is an RPL qualification the same as one from full-time study?▾
Yes. A Diploma of Counselling (CHC51015) attained through Recognition of Prior Learning is identical to one earned through classroom study. It is nationally recognised and meets the same rigorous Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) standards.
How long does the process typically take?▾
Most candidates complete their side of the process within a few weeks. Once your completed evidence portfolio is submitted to the RTO, the formal assessment and issuance of the qualification typically takes 4 to 6 weeks.
What kind of evidence do I need to provide for a Diploma of Counselling?▾
Evidence often includes a current resume, detailed job descriptions, supervisor reports, records of professional development, and redacted case notes or session logs that demonstrate your application of counselling modalities and micro-skills.
Does my experience with specific counselling therapies count toward RPL?▾
Absolutely. If you have been using established modalities such as CBT, Person-Centred Therapy, or Solution-Focused Brief Therapy in a professional capacity, this experience is vital evidence of your competency at the Diploma level.
Can I use RPL if I work in a supported agency role rather than private practice?▾
Yes. The CHC51015 qualification is specifically designed for counsellors working in defined and supported roles within established agencies. Your experience in these settings is exactly what the assessment process looks for.
Is an RPL qualification the same as one obtained through full-time study?▾
Yes. RPL is a legitimate form of assessment within the Australian VET system. The qualification issued is identical to one obtained through any other mode of delivery and is nationally recognised under the Australian Qualifications Framework.
Who assesses my evidence?▾
Your evidence is assessed by a qualified assessor employed or contracted by the delivering Registered Training Organisation (RTO) — not by RPL It. The assessor holds the credentials required under the 2025 Standards for RTOs and has current industry experience.
What if gaps are identified in my skills?▾
If the assessor identifies areas where your evidence does not fully demonstrate competency, the RTO can provide gap training. The RTO will discuss any associated requirements or costs with you if this becomes necessary. Gap training is targeted to the specific areas identified and is designed to help you meet the full requirements of the qualification.
What if I don’t have enough experience for RPL?▾
If the initial skills review indicates that RPL is not suitable for you at this time, we’ll let you know honestly and discuss alternative options. We would rather direct you to the right pathway than enrol you in a process that won’t lead to a successful outcome.
How long does the RPL process take?▾
Based on our experience, the majority of RPL candidates receive their qualification within 4–6 weeks of their complete evidence portfolio being submitted to the RTO. However, this is an average based on past outcomes — not a guarantee. Factors include qualification complexity, evidence completeness, whether gap training is required, and the RTO’s current assessment capacity.
Can I do this from outside Australia?▾
This depends on the specific qualification. Many qualifications are based on Australian codes, standards, and legislation, and some require access to an Australian workplace for assessment. If you are based outside Australia, please contact us to discuss whether RPL is feasible for your circumstances.

Related Qualifications

Other qualifications in the Community Services.

Advanced Diploma

Advanced Diploma of Community Sector Management

CHC62015

Certificate I

Certificate I in Active Volunteering

CHC14015

Certificate II

Certificate II in Active Volunteering

CHC24015

Certificate II

Certificate II in Community Services

CHC22015

Certificate III

Certificate III in Active Volunteering

CHC34015

Start Your Free Skills Review

Tell us about your background and we'll provide a free preliminary review of your experience against the Diploma of Counselling.

✓

Free Skills Review

Receive a professional review of your experience against CHC51015.

✓

Preliminary Review

Receive free guidance on whether RPL could suit your career background.

✓

No Commitments

The skills review is obligation-free and takes less than 2 minutes.

→

Start your free skills review

This qualification is available now. Continue to the free skills review and we'll pre-select CHC51015 so you can move straight into the application.

Start My Free Skills Review

No commitment. We'll provide an honest review of your experience.

Ready to Get Recognised?

Start your free skills review for CHC51015 today.

Free Skills Review