Rehabilitation counsellors
Rehabilitation counsellors help people overcome the impact of mental health conditions, injuries, disabilities, and social disadvantage. By providing tailored counselling, rehabilitation planning, and support services, they empower individuals to build skills, regain independence, and reconnect with work, study, and community life. If you’re passionate about making a real difference in people’s recovery and growth, rehabilitation counselling could be a rewarding career path.
Launch your career as a rehabilitation counsellor
Rehabilitation counsellors work with individuals facing barriers to living independently, whether those barriers are physical, mental, emotional, or social. They provide support through counselling, advocacy, rehabilitation plans, and community engagement strategies.
In this role, you’ll work closely with people to:
- identify strengths and goals
- develop practical rehabilitation pathways
- provide emotional support during life transitions
- help people re-enter education or employment
- advocate for accessible services and resources.
You’ll collaborate with families, employers, government agencies, and health care teams to support better outcomes for your clients across all areas of life.
Their responsibilities involve:
- comprehensive assessments to identify clients’ needs, strengths, and barriers
- development of personalised rehabilitation plans that align with clients’ goals
- provision of counselling services to support emotional well-being and adjustment
- coordination of services by liaising with employers, healthcare providers, and community resources
- advocacy to ensure clients’ access to necessary accommodations and support systems.
Rehabilitation counsellors work across various settings, including health care facilities, community organisations, educational institutions, and government agencies. Their expertise is crucial in supporting clients to navigate complex systems and achieve meaningful participation in society.
Become a rehabilitation counsellor in Queensland
What qualifications do rehabilitation counsellors need?
Rehabilitation counsellors are self-regulated professionals. This means that qualification requirements and regulations are determined by the relevant authoritative body, rather than the government.
For rehabilitation counsellors, this body is the Australian Society of Rehabilitation Counsellors (ASORC). To become qualified to practice, ASORC has set out these steps:
- Complete an undergraduate or Master’s degree
This degree must be either a Bachelor’s or a Master’s in Rehabilitation Counselling, or a degree in a highly relevant field such as social work or allied health.
- Professional development
To become a rehabilitation counsellor, a minimum of 20 hours of professional development must be completed per year.
- Adhere to the relevant Code of Ethics
You must adhere to ASORC’s Code of Ethics to practice. While not required, becoming a member may also increase your credibility in the field.
Where do rehabilitation counsellors work?
Rehabilitation counsellors are trained to treat and support people from a variety of backgrounds, they can offer their services in various settings.
Many work in private practices, but they can also be found in public settings, such as occupational rehabilitation, disability employment services, and roles with the NDIA or NDIS, as well as call centres and life insurance companies.
Likewise, rehabilitation counsellors can also find work with universities and TAFE across Australia, as well as roles in State and Commonwealth departments. Many also choose to provide valuable support and care to people in need with different not-for-profit organisations.
The daily life of a rehabilitation counsellor in Queensland
Rehabilitation counsellors have a broad range of day-to-day responsibilities that change depending on their clients’ or patients’ needs. However, common duties include:
- conducting individual or group counselling
- providing support to adjust the impact of a condition or behaviour
- assessing current needs, barriers and challenges
- conducting eligibility assessments for government services
- tailored goal setting and planning
- giving employment support, from obtaining to sustaining work.
Many rehabilitation counsellors also provide key case management and coordination services. This may involve care planning, community engagement recommendations, along with capacity building to strengthen skills and independence.
Common questions about rehabilitation counsellors
Mental health conditions can severely impact an individual’s daily life, and they have become increasingly common as our understanding of mental health develops. In 2024, it was recorded that one in five Australians, between 16 and 85, experienced a mental disorder. As of 2022, Queensland had 18.3% more people living with mental or behavioural problems when compared to the rest of Australia. Rehabilitation counsellors are in higher demand than ever, and this is estimated to continue growing.
On average, most rehabilitation counsellors in Australia earn up to $81,000. However, entry-level positions usually start at $73,000, with experienced practitioners earning up to $87,000 or more.
Rehabilitation counsellors must work closely with individuals who are likely experiencing significant difficulties, if not a crisis. Likewise, they must work professionally with other allied health services to ensure the right care is provided. To thrive in this role, it is recommended that individuals have:
- reliable organisational and time management skills
- excellent communication skills
- an ability to adapt and adjust quickly
- an ability to empathise and connect with a wide variety of people
- strong motivational and interpersonal skills
- reliable organisational and time management skills.
Rehabilitation counsellors play a crucial role in supporting individuals dealing with alcohol and other drug (AOD) issues. Their responsibilities include:
- conducting assessments to determine the extent of substance use and its impact on the individual’s life
- developing personalised treatment plans that address both substance use and co-occurring mental health conditions
- providing counselling to help clients understand triggers, develop coping strategies, and prevent relapse
- coordinating with other services, such as medical professionals, social workers and support groups, to ensure comprehensive care.
Rehabilitation counsellors in the alcohol and other drug (AOD) sector can be found in various settings, including:
- community health centres – offering outpatient services and support groups
- residential rehabilitation facilities – providing structured programs for individuals in recovery
- hospitals and clinics – working alongside medical teams to address physical and mental health needs
- correctional facilities – supporting inmates with substance use issues
- non-profit organisations – delivering education and prevention programs.
Their presence in these settings ensures that clients receive holistic support tailored to their unique circumstances.
While both rehabilitation counsellors and general counsellors aim to support individuals through personal challenges, their focus, training, and areas of practice are quite different.
A rehabilitation counsellor specialises in helping individuals adjust to and overcome barriers caused by injury, illness, disability, mental health conditions or social disadvantage. Their work is centred on improving a person’s independence and ability to participate fully in work, study and community life. Rehabilitation counsellors typically hold a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Rehabilitation Counselling or a closely related allied health field. They use a combination of counselling, vocational support, rehabilitation planning and case management, and often collaborate with employers, health care teams and community services. You’ll find rehabilitation counsellors working in settings such as health care services, vocational rehabilitation providers, mental health organisations and government departments.
In contrast, a general counsellor provides support across a broad range of personal, emotional and psychological issues such as relationship challenges, grief, stress, anxiety and everyday mental health concerns. General counsellors may have qualifications ranging from certificates to postgraduate degrees in counselling. Their work typically involves providing talk therapy, helping clients explore feelings, develop coping strategies, and improve emotional wellbeing. General counsellors often work in private practice, schools, community centres, or broader health services.
In short, rehabilitation counsellors focus specifically on helping people regain independence and rebuild participation in life after a health or social setback, whereas general counsellors focus on emotional and psychological support across a wide range of life situations.
