What is career counseling?

Career counselling in Australia is the professional advice and support service that helps individuals make decisions about study, training, and work. It can cover everything from school students choosing subjects and tertiary courses to adults considering career changes, retrenched workers seeking transitions, and migrants whose overseas qualifications need recognition.

School-based career counselling is delivered by registered career advisers in secondary schools, often combining one-on-one consultations, classroom programmes, subject-selection guidance, and exposure to tertiary and vocational pathways. Each state and territory mandates a career education programme in secondary schools, with specific Year 9 or 10 career programmes common. The myfuture.edu.au platform, run by Education Services Australia, is the national online career exploration tool used in most schools.

Adult career counselling is delivered through several pathways. Workforce Australia, the federal employment services system, includes career counselling and vocational guidance for unemployed and underemployed Australians. TAFE colleges offer career counselling to enrolled and prospective students. Universities run career services for students and recent graduates. Private career counsellors and coaches operate on a fee-for-service basis, with sessions typically costing 150 to 300 dollars and packages priced higher.

Specialised services exist for particular groups. The Skills Recognition Service of Australia helps migrants assess overseas qualifications and identify the steps needed for Australian recognition. Indigenous-specific career services include the Indigenous Employment Programme and the Indigenous Australians' Health Programme career pathways. Programmes for people with disability include Disability Employment Services. Women returning to work after caring responsibilities can access targeted programmes through Workforce Australia and not-for-profit organisations like Career Money Life. The Career Industry Council of Australia (CICA) is the peak body representing the career counselling profession, with about 5,000 registered Career Practitioners across the country.