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Accepting ApplicationsNationally RegisteredGraduate Diploma
CHC81015 · Community & Health
Graduate Diploma of Relationship Counselling
Your extensive experience in family and couples counselling deserves formal recognition at the highest professional level. We help you translate your complex clinical expertise into a nationally recognised Graduate Diploma through a streamlined assessment process.
The qualification
About This Qualification
This qualification reflects the role of individuals who work as family and/or couples relationship counsellors. They may work independently or in organisations, providing counselling interventions, (rather than counselling support) for families and/or couples experiencing relationship issues of a complex nature.Counselling contexts may include pre- or post- separation and divorce or where the client has involvement with the Family Law system.
Important: RPL It Australia is a student support service. All assessment and qualification issuance is conducted by the delivering Registered Training Organisation. RPL It does not deliver training, conduct assessments, or issue qualifications.
RPL It status: Accepting applications
New to RPL?
What Is Recognition of Prior Learning?
Recognition of Prior Learning is a formal assessment process that evaluates skills, knowledge, and experience you have gained through your career against the requirements of a nationally recognised qualification.
You gather relevant workplace evidence and a qualified assessor from the delivering Registered Training Organisation evaluates that evidence. If the assessor determines every competency requirement is met, the RTO issues the qualification.
Your Qualification Pathway in Four Steps
2
Evidence Portfolio
Your consultant guides you through identifying and organising relevant workplace evidence for the RTO.
3
RTO Assessment
A qualified assessor from the delivering Registered Training Organisation evaluates the evidence against the national standard.
4
Qualification Outcome
If the RTO determines every requirement is met, the RTO issues the nationally recognised qualification.
Explore Roles Associated With This Qualification
Select a role to review its database-listed outcome and examples of evidence that may help an RTO understand your experience.
Relationship Counsellor
Providing high-level, independent counselling interventions for couples and families experiencing complex relationship issues.
Examples of workplace evidence that may help an RTO assessor understand this experience include:
- Current resume detailing counselling experience
- Detailed position descriptions in family work
- Letters of validation from clinical supervisors
- De-identified case notes and intervention plans
- Case studies reflecting complex relationship issues
- Reports for Family Law or court-related contexts
What Kind of Experience Can Support Your Application?
Your consultant can help you identify relevant workplace records. The delivering RTO decides whether the evidence is sufficient and current.
Work History & Roles
- Current resume detailing counselling experience
- Detailed position descriptions in family work
- Letters of validation from clinical supervisors
Clinical Documentation
- De-identified case notes and intervention plans
- Case studies reflecting complex relationship issues
- Reports for Family Law or court-related contexts
Supervision & Ethics
- Logs of clinical supervision hours
- Evidence of working within ethical frameworks
- Domestic and family violence management protocols
Professional Learning
- Records of post-graduate workshops or seminars
- Certificates from specialised counselling training
- Evidence of professional association memberships
Not sure whether your evidence is relevant?
Start with a free preliminary skills review. We can help you understand the evidence an RTO may need to assess.
Start My Free Skills ReviewPathway comparison
RPL and Traditional Study
Two pathways that use the same RTO competency standards.
Compare
RPL pathway
Traditional study
Starting point
Your existing, current workplace skills and evidence
A planned course of learning and assessment
How competency is shown
Workplace evidence mapped to the qualification requirements
Learning activities, assignments, practical work, and assessment
Assessment decision
Made by a qualified assessor from the delivering RTO
Made by a qualified assessor from the delivering RTO
If gaps are identified
Additional evidence or targeted gap training may be required
Learning and assessment continue through the course structure
Qualification outcome
Issued only when the RTO determines all requirements are met
Issued only when the RTO determines all requirements are met
Everything You Need to Know Before Enrolling
Fees, timeframes, the delivering RTO, and any qualification-specific conditions are confirmed before you make an enrolment decision.
Pricing is confirmed before you commit
You will receive a detailed, personalised quote before enrolment. It includes the total fee, payment terms, and the name of the delivering RTO.
What affects your timeline
Based on our experience, the majority of RPL candidates receive their qualification within 4 to 6 weeks of their complete evidence portfolio being submitted to the RTO. Individual timeframes vary.
What RPL It supports
- Guidance through evidence gathering
- Preparing a complete portfolio for submission
- Following up on your behalf
What the RTO controls
- Assessment workload and evaluation timeline
- Requests for more evidence or gap training
- The qualification issuance process
Delivering Registered Training Organisations
The delivering RTO will be confirmed during your skills review and before enrolment. Formal assessment and qualification issuance are handled by that RTO.
RPL It supports the pathway; the RTO makes the decision
RPL It Australia
- Preliminary skills review or interest registration
- Evidence gathering guidance
- Student support and pathway information
Delivering RTO
- Formal assessment by qualified assessors
- Competency and gap-training decisions
- Qualification issuance and assessment appeals
Workplace conditions apply to this qualification
To achieve this qualification, candidates must demonstrate 50 hours of work within a relationship counselling context. If you are currently employed in this field, your existing professional hours can be documented as evidence to meet this requirement.
Free Skills Review
Start Your Free Skills Review for CHC81015
Tell us about your background and we will provide a free preliminary review of your experience against the Graduate Diploma of Relationship Counselling.
- Preliminary review of your experience against CHC81015
- Guidance on whether an RPL pathway may suit your background
- No commitment or guaranteed assessment outcome
- Formal assessment and qualification issuance remain with the RTO
Prefer to talk? Call 1300 93 60 93
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How do I get started with RPL for this qualification?
The process begins with a free skills review where we assess your professional background against the CHC81015 requirements. Once eligibility is confirmed, you will compile a portfolio of evidence for RTO assessment, typically moving from initial review to final certification through a supported pathway.
Is an RPL qualification the same as one from full-time study?
Yes, a qualification obtained through Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is identical to one earned through traditional study. It is nationally recognised under the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) and held in the same regard by employers and professional bodies.
How long does the process typically take?
The RPL process usually takes between 4 to 6 weeks once your full portfolio of evidence has been submitted to the RTO. This timeframe can vary depending on how quickly you can gather the required documentation of your clinical experience.
How is the work placement requirement handled through RPL?
As you are seeking recognition for existing expertise, your current or past clinical practice hours are mapped against the work placement requirements. Evidence such as logbooks, supervisor testimonials, and workplace records are used to verify your practical experience.
What entry requirements apply to this Graduate Diploma?
Entry to the CHC81015 qualification requires candidates to already hold an undergraduate degree or higher in a relevant field such as Counselling, Psychology, Social Work, or Social Science. This ensures you have the foundational theoretical knowledge required for advanced relationship counselling.
What evidence is needed for relationship counselling RPL?
Evidence typically includes redacted case notes, records of clinical supervision, professional development logs, workplace references, and documentation showing your ability to manage complex relationship interventions and family law contexts.
Is an RPL qualification the same as one obtained through full-time study?
Yes. RPL is a legitimate form of assessment within the Australian VET system. The qualification issued is identical to one obtained through any other mode of delivery and is nationally recognised under the Australian Qualifications Framework.
Who assesses my evidence?
Your evidence is assessed by a qualified assessor employed or contracted by the delivering Registered Training Organisation (RTO), not by RPL It. The assessor holds the credentials required under the 2025 Standards for RTOs and has current industry experience.
What if gaps are identified in my skills?
If the assessor identifies areas where your evidence does not fully demonstrate competency, the RTO can provide gap training. The RTO will discuss any associated requirements or costs with you if this becomes necessary. Gap training is targeted to the specific areas identified and is designed to help you meet the full requirements of the qualification.
What if I don’t have enough experience for RPL?
If the initial skills review indicates that RPL is not suitable for you at this time, we’ll let you know honestly and discuss alternative options. We would rather direct you to the right pathway than enrol you in a process that won’t lead to a successful outcome.
How long does the RPL process take?
Based on our experience, the majority of RPL candidates receive their qualification within 4 to 6 weeks of their complete evidence portfolio being submitted to the RTO. This is an average based on past outcomes, not a guarantee. Factors include qualification complexity, evidence completeness, whether gap training is required, and the RTO's current assessment capacity.
Can I do this from outside Australia?
This depends on the specific qualification. Many qualifications are based on Australian codes, standards, and legislation, and some require access to an Australian workplace for assessment. If you are based outside Australia, please contact us to discuss whether RPL is feasible for your circumstances.
Related Qualifications
Other qualifications in the Community Services training package.
Ready when you are
Turn Your Community & Health Experience Into Evidence
Start a free preliminary review for Graduate Diploma of Relationship Counselling. The delivering RTO makes every formal assessment decision.
This is a preliminary discussion, not a formal assessment or a guarantee of outcome. RPL It Australia does not issue qualifications.