The Level 500 core units of the Graduate Certificate of Counselling are designed to provide students with a strong foundational and professional grounding in contemporary counselling practice, integrating theory, skills development, ethical awareness, and cultural responsiveness. Together, these units introduce the role of the counsellor in modern society, focusing on the development of foundational counselling knowledge, practical skills, and an evolving self-awareness essential for effective practice. Students learn to structure and conduct counselling sessions, including case conceptualisation, assessment, and closure, while developing the capacity to critically analyse and apply counselling knowledge across a range of contexts. The program also provides a comprehensive introduction to key counselling modalities, enabling students to understand and apply diverse theoretical models in practice, including trauma-informed approaches and alternative modes of service delivery such as video and telephone counselling. Strong emphasis is placed on adaptability, autonomy, and reflective practice, particularly when working with multicultural populations. Cultural competence is further developed through in-depth exploration of diversity, personal biases, and stereotypes, with a focus on ethical and sensitive practice with diverse communities in Australia, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Students examine cultural conceptions of mental health and the impact of marginalisation, stigma, and minority status on mental wellbeing. Ethical practice forms a central pillar of the curriculum, with dedicated study of ethical dilemmas, legal responsibilities, and professional standards. Learners develop skills in ethical decision-making, social justice practice, and risk assessment, particularly in complex areas such as family violence, self-harm, and harm to others. Across all units, students are expected to demonstrate advanced academic communication, critical thinking, and self-reflexivity. With a consistent workload of 12 hours per week per unit, the program equips students with the foundational competencies, ethical sensitivity, and professional readiness required for further postgraduate counselling study and practice.