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.
• Date2025 Enrolment Intakes:
  
  27 January - 10 February
  Course start date: 17 February
  
  9 June - 23 June
  Course start date: 30 June
• Delivery ModeOnline + Workplace Observation + Workshop
• Trainer(s) Fiona Taylor | Susan Kelley
• Fees$6,375 AUD
  This fee includes all learning and assessment resources, 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.

What does a Rural Financial Counsellor do?

Rural Financial Counsellors have a deep understanding of the unique challenges facing primary producers and rural small businesses, and are equipped to provide tailored, confidential and professional advice on a range of issues, including debt relief, budgeting, business planning, and accessing government assistance. Find out more in the video below

Throughout this course you will acquire specialist skills and knowledge required to adapt practice to a rural context, targeting the specific needs of rurally based clients by using a structured strengths-based and client-focused financial counselling process.

3 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. 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 workplace observation component.

Additional Information

Entry Requirements

There are no entry requirements for this qualification, however, prior agricultural experience or currently working in the industry is preferred, as the rural units require initial understanding of the industry. 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 (Rural Specialisation) is a competency-based course which requires 17 units for the qualification (13 core units and 4 elective units). 

Successful completion of this course will require evidence that you have competently managed the tasks and actions required of a Rural Financial Counsellor with at least five (5) different clients, via a Workplace Observation Report or completion of Case Studies.

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

Career Opportunities

Rural Financial Counsellors can be employed in a range of organisations and settings, including regional and rural sectors. On graduation some of the career prospects could include:

- Rural 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

• AHCBUS516 Develop and review a business plan

• AHCBUS518 Prepare and monitor budgets and financial reports

• CHCFIN011 Provide rural financial counselling services

• FNSCUS411 Participate in negotiations

ne qualification – three pathways

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