The Salvation Army Booth College

• DurationThis is an online course delivered via our online portal, Booth Online. You will have a maximum of two years from enrolment to complete 17 units of study, plus the 220 hours work placement component.
• Date2025 Enrolment Intakes:
  
  27 January - 10 February
  Course start date: 17 February
  
  9 June - 23 June
  Course start date: 30 June
• Delivery ModeOnline + 220 Hours of Work Placement + Workshop
• Trainer(s) Carolyn Joy | Maria Turnbull
• Fees$6,375 AUD
  This fee includes all learning and assessment resources, work placement assistance, online support and assessment services for a period of two years.

Course fee reductions and subsidies may also apply for personnel of The Salvation Army. More information is available in the Personnel Development Policy here.

Transurban Financial Counselling Scholarship applications are now open until 27 September 2024. To find out more or to apply, click here.

What does a Financial Counsellor do?

Financial Counsellors provide advice and support to people experiencing financial stress. This can range across so many things, from explaining the pros and cons of bankruptcy to negotiating reduced payments or debt waivers, to clarifying whether a debt is even legally owed.

Financial Counsellors need excellent counselling and communication skills as so many people they see are emotionally on edge and worried. Working in community organisations, their services are free, confidential and independent.

“The staff and support at Eva Burrows College were of the highest quality. The student portal was easy to navigate and provided valuable learning resources. I always had support from the admin team and my trainer with any questions I had. Special thanks to Debbie and Kat for your follow up and understanding. I would highly recommend Eva Burrows College to anyone considering studying for a career in Financial Counselling!” - Silwati

“I really enjoyed studying online through Eva Burrows College for my Diploma of Financial Counselling. There was a lot of useful information in the online course and everything was easy to find. Although the assessment tasks were challenging, they were thorough and provided all the information I needed to successfully complete the tasks. I was able to get in touch with my trainer with ease whenever I needed help, and she had extensive experience to draw from. Studying online can be challenging, but after I completed my course, I feel more accomplished than ever!” - Veronica

 

Graduate story: Sam Phillpott Talks About the Diploma of Financial Counselling

 

4 Important Things to Know

1. You will attend face to face workshops

Students can attend scheduled workshops, as well as participate in self-directed online learning. 

2. You have two years to complete this online course.

This is an online course with a flexible study plan, delivered via our online portal, Booth Online. You will have a maximum of two years from enrolment to complete this course.

3. 220 hours of work placement is required to complete this course.

To ensure you are well equipped for the role, this qualification also includes a mandatory 220 hours of work placement.

4. Approximately 16 hours a week should be set aside for study.  

We recommend students allocate up to 16 hours per week to work through the Learner Guides, online activities, assessments and complete the work placement component.

Additional Information

Entry Requirements

There are no entry requirements for this qualification. However, in order to ensure you are enrolled in the most suitable and appropriate course of study, all applicants will be required to complete a pre-enrolment evaluation, as part of the Online Enrolment Application.

This course is open to Australian residents. Unfortunately, we are not registered to accept international students. The eligibility of students will be confirmed during enrolment.  

Course Structure

The CHC51122 Diploma of Financial Counselling is a competency-based course which requires 17 units for the qualification (13 core units and 4 elective units). Students may select four electives to best meet their workplace requirements, with Eva Burrows College offering a broad range of electives to meet a variety of Financial Counselling settings.

Refer to the Units Tab above for a full list of units available at Eva Burrows College for this course.

Work Placement

Whether you are already working in the Financial Counselling sector or are looking to move into the industry, work placement will give you an invaluable opportunity to put your course theory into practice. Successful completion of this course requires 220 hours work placement in the Financial Counselling field.  It may be possible to undertake your placement on-the-job if you are working in a suitable role in the Financial Counselling sector.  If you are not currently working in the industry, you have the flexibility of identifying a placement or our Placement Officer can assist you to locate a suitable work placement. Due to the ever-changing demands placed on organisations it is not possible for the college to guarantee a suitable placement. For further information email the Course Coordinator. 

Career Opportunities

Financial Counsellors can be employed in a range of organisations and settings, including non-government agencies in community settings across urban, regional and rural sectors. On graduation some of the career prospects could include:

- Generalist Financial Counsellor

- Small Business Financial Counsellor

Learn More

For more details about this course click on the Course Information Brochure below.

Ready to Apply?

To register your interest, email vtoenquiries@ebc.edu.au. The 2025 Enrolment Intakes for this course are:

- 27 January-10 February

- 9 June-23 June

An online enrolment application link will be emailed to you once the intake opens. 

Core

• CHCADV001 Facilitate the interests and rights of clients

• CHCCCS019 Recognise and respond to crisis situations

• CHCCSL001 Establish and confirm the counselling relationship

• CHCCSL002 Apply specialist interpersonal and counselling interview skills

• CHCCSL007 Support counselling clients in decision-making processes

• CHCDIV001 Work with diverse people

• CHCFIN006 Establish the financial counselling relationship

• CHCFIN007 Provide advice, counselling and representation to financial counselling clients

• CHCFIN008 Manage case administration and apply professional practice in financial counselling

• CHCFIN009 Provide financial counselling and systemic advocacy within a social justice framework

• CHCFIN010 Apply basic concepts of small business to financial counselling

• CHCLEG002 Interpret and use legal information

• CHCPRP003 Reflect on and improve own professional practice

Elective

• CHCCCS003 Increase the safety of individuals at risk of suicide

• CHCCDE018* Develop and implement community programs (*mandatory elective)

• CHCDFV001 Recognise and respond appropriately to domestic and family violence

• CHCMHS001 Work with people with mental health issues

• FNSCUS411 Participate in negotiations

One qualification – three pathways

For information on this course or any other Vocational Training courses email vtoenquiries@ebc.edu.au