How to become a Rehabilitation Counsellor

Rehabilitation counsellors assist people with disability or medical conditions or who are experiencing social disadvantage to attain individual rehabilitation goals, including return to paid employment. They assist people with physical or psychological disabilities, refugees, ex-offenders, disadvantaged youth and those experiencing long-term unemployment.

Personal requirements for a Rehabilitation Counsellor

Good communication skills
Good problem-solving skills
A supportive and tactful approach to people's problems
Able to work independently or as part of a team

Education & Training for a Rehabilitation Counsellor

To become a rehabilitation counsellor you usually have to complete a degree in health science or an allied health field at university, followed by a postgraduate qualification in rehabilitation counselling.To get into the degree courses you usually need to gain your Senior Secondary Certificate of Education. Prerequisite subjects, or assumed knowledge, in one or more of English, mathematics, biology, chemistry or physics is normally required. Entry to postgraduate courses usually requires completion of a relevant bachelor degree. Universities have different prerequisites and some have flexible entry requirements. Contact the institutions you are interested in for more information.

Duties & Tasks of a Rehabilitation Counsellor

Rehabilitation counsellors:

Counsel clients adjusting to disability
Undertake comprehensive assessment of the client's vocational, social, medical, educational, personal and psychological needs in order to develop an individual rehabilitation plan
Plan, develop, implement and monitor individual client rehabilitation programs, ensuring appropriate services are provided within these programs
Refer clients for medical examinations and psychological or psychiatric evaluations
Use a variety of assessment tools, tests and strategies to assess a client's particular interests, abilities, skills, motivation, attitude, values and knowledge in order to establish life or vocational goals
Provide career development services to clients
Analyse and use labour market information when making decisions about a client's vocational choices
Arrange formal or on-the-job training for clients as part of their rehabilitation goals
Check a client's progress in training or employment phases of the rehabilitation program
Evaluate the effectiveness of redeployment and recommend further action
Manage the placement of clients into suitable paid employment or back into the community after coordinating the client's required training
Negotiate and manage a gradual return or introduction to a job to ensure a smooth transition
Talk to insurance companies, medical practitioners, community organisations and other professionals to ensure all parties are consulted regarding the client's individual rehabilitation program
Provide an information and advisory service to organisations that assist people with disability or social disadvantage.

Tasks

Consults with clients to develop rehabilitation plans taking account of vocational and social needs.
Conducts counselling interviews with individuals, couples and family groups.
May work in a call centre.
Assists people in the understanding and adjustment of attitudes, expectations and behaviour.
Presents alternative approaches and discusses potential for attitude and behavioural change.

Working conditions for a Rehabilitation Counsellor

Rehabilitation counsellors work as case managers and may be part of a team comprising medical, therapy and related rehabilitation personnel.

Employment Opportunities for a Rehabilitation Counsellor

Rehabilitation counsellors are employed by agencies accredited under various compensation and labour market schemes. They may also work in private practice and in the in-house services of large companies. Demand for rehabilitation counsellors is influenced by government legislation regarding eligibility for disability benefits and employment services.

Specializations

Rehabilitation Counsellor

Average age
35
Future Growth
N/A
Gender Share
70% female
Average full-time
40 hours
Weekly Pay
N/A
Skill level rating
Very high skill
Unemployment
Lower unemployment
Full-Time Share
72%
Employment Size
1,900
Employment by state
ACT: 3.3%
NSW: 40.4%
NT: 1.7%
QLD: 12.1%
SA: 8.6%
TAS: 2.5%
VIC: 24.0%
WA: 7.5%
Age brackets
15-19: 0%
20-24: 9.9%
25-34: 38.3%
35-44: 23.1%
45-54: 15.5%
55-59: 8.1%
60-64: 3.6%
65 and Over: 1.6%
Education level
Advanced Diploma/Diploma: 5.1%
Bachelor degree: 47.1%
Certificate III/IV: 3.2%
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate: 40.1%
Year 10 and below: 0.6%
Year 11: 0.2%
Year 12: 3.6%