In October 2024, the Australian Counselling Association (ACA) commissioned Survey Matters, an independent research agency, to conduct the 2024 ACA Counsellor Workforce Census.

The resulting report provided valuable insights and information on the demographics, employment profile, sector engagement, practice areas and working conditions for the counsellor workforce in Australia.

The survey received an overwhelming response rate of one in five practicing ACA registered counsellors in Australia. ACA represents over 19,000 registered individuals, over 9,000 being students, and growing.

We extend our gratitude to all counsellors who participated in this survey. Their insights are crucial in shaping the future of the profession.

We are proud to share the key findings of this survey and report.

Diverse Employment Arrangements Shape the Workforce

The counselling workforce is composed of various employment types: 36% are self-employed, 31% hold salaried (including contract and casual positions), and 19% combining both employment types. Private practice is more prevalent in rural areas (43%), while salaried roles are more common in metropolitan settings, suggesting accessibility and demand vary by location. Additionally, self-employment is particularly attractive to experienced counsellors, with half of those in the profession for over 10 years opting for independent practice.

Predominantly Female and Mid-to-Late Career Workforce

The counselling workforce is 81% female, with most professionals aged between 41 and 60 (59%). Younger professionals under 30 account for only 13%, suggesting a mature and experienced workforce. A significant 23% of counsellors come from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds, with a notable concentration in urban areas. However, only 2% identify as Aboriginal, indicating very low Indigenous representation.

Qualifications Reflect High Professional Standards

Over four in five (85%) respondents hold counselling-specific qualifications, with the most common being a Master of Counselling, held by 35% of respondents. This degree is more prevalent in employed counsellors (42%) than self-employed (27%). Diploma-level qualifications are common among self-employed practitioners (31%), illustrating varied educational pathways within the profession. Additionally, 6% of those with a Diploma of Counselling also hold a Bachelor’s degree in another discipline.

Significant Variation in Earnings Across Roles

Income levels vary significantly depending on employment type. Counsellors who balance combining employment and private practice report the highest average annual income at $125,952 per year. Employed counsellors earn an average of $87,539, while private practitioners earn $75,140 annually. Casual counsellors report the lowest earnings averaging $37,636 annually, reflecting disparities in financial stability. This suggests many counsellors may supplement their salary with additional consulting hours to meet their income requirements.

High Levels of Specialisation Across Diverse Practice Areas

Almost seven in ten (69%) counsellors specialise in a particular practice area, with self-employed counsellors more likely to focus on common mental health issues like anxiety, stress, and depression (59%). Employed counsellors tend to focus more on childhood or adolescent counselling (31%) and family violence (27%). Other common practice areas include trauma (49%), grief and loss (40%) family and relationships (38%), communication and conflict resolution (27%).

Workload and Client-Facing Time Vary Across Employment Types

The average weekly workload for counsellors is 25.4 hours, though employed professionals working the most at 32.1 hours per week, while self-employed counsellors average 19.9 hours per week. Only 57.9% of time is dedicated to direct counselling activities, with administrative tasks taking up the remainder. On average, counsellors conduct 13.1 consultations per week, with employed professionals seeking slightly more clients (13.6) than self-employed counterparts (11.2).

Anxiety and Depression Dominate Service Demand

Across all settings, 70% of counsellors report demand for anxiety, stress, and depression services. Private practitioners also experience significant demand for family and relationship support (38%), while employed counsellors more frequently address children’s and adolescents’ issues (29%). Family violence (23%) and addiction services (16%) are also key focus areas for employed professionals.

Existing Workforce Capacity to Expand Client Service

The counselling workforce has a substantial capacity to accommodate additional client demand, with over half of respondents indicating they can take on more clients. Across the survey sample, 56% of counsellors report capacity for new clients, with an average capacity to see 7.2 additional clients weekly. This equates to a collective ability to manage over 7,600 new clients weekly among respondents. Of the counsellors with capacity to take on more work, 62% specialise in anxiety, stress and depression, while 66% include disability support among their main practice areas, 62% specialise in neurodivergence, 61% in sexuality, 59% in addiction and 55% in family violence counselling.

Motivations Highlight a Commitment to Wellbeing

The counselling profession is deeply values-driven, with eighty-five percent of counsellors driven by a desire to make a difference. Additionally, 65% cite a general interest in mental health, and 55% are influenced by own lived experiences, reflecting the intrinsic values underpinning the profession.

High Student Numbers Support Workforce Development

Students represented 14% of survey respondents, with 20% of practicing counsellors pursuing further qualifications. Most are upskilling to a Master of Counselling, with 65% expecting to complete their degree by 2025, leading to an increase in the education levels across the workforce. The workforce remains stable with 54% of counsellors intending to stay in their current roles, 1% planning to start a private practice, and only 5% plan to retire.