Alcohol and Other Drugs Counsellor
Shortage Now
JSA currently reports no national or state/territory shortage signal for this occupation.
Snapshot
Median salary
Not available
People employed
2,500
Estimated workforce
Shortage signal
No shortage (national)
Categories identify where a shortage occurs; they are not a severity score.
What you actually do
Provides support and treatment for people struggling with substance abuse and addiction, identifies underlying causes of addiction, develops coping strategies to manage change, and provides community education.
Alternative titles
Alcohol and Other Drugs Clinician · Drug and Alcohol Counsellor
Skills & main tasks
Official main tasks
- Assesses substance abuse and alcohol consumption history
- Provides individual and group counselling sessions to help the individual understand the underlying causes of addiction and overcome the addiction
- Provides education and resources to individuals about the risks and consequences of substance abuse
- Facilitates referrals to Health Professionals or community resources, such as detoxification programs and support groups
- Monitors progress and supports individuals to stay on track with their treatment plans
Where people work
State / territory distribution
Highest education
Share of workers
Education & work pattern
Part-time
42%
Female rate
66%
Median age
45
2030 & 2035 employment outlook
to 2030
+13%
4,419 projected jobs
to 2035
+23%
7,954 projected jobs
WiseAffiliate linkMoving abroad to study?
Pay tuition and send money home at the real exchange rate with Wise.
Open a free Wise accountCredentials & Pathway
OSCA skill level 1
A classification attribute describing the occupation; it is not a personal eligibility or qualification decision.
Official VET pathways
Diploma of Alcohol and Other Drugs
Occupation ready
Diploma of Counselling
Occupation ready
Certificate IV in Community Services
Progression pathway
Certificate IV in Alcohol and Other Drugs
Progression pathway
Certificate IV in Mental Health
Progression pathway
Diploma of Mental Health
Progression pathway
Real jobs right now
Live signal from SEEK, Indeed & moreCurrent vacancy signal
QLD · May 2026
110
ACT · May 2026
16
VIC · May 2026
77
NT · May 2026
14
SA · May 2026
27
NSW · May 2026
126
Where could this career take you?
Compare state-level shortage signals, salary context, study options and visa information for Alcohol and Other Drugs Counsellor.
Regional demand
Largest employment base
#1 Melbourne - Inner
1,779 estimated employed
- 1
Melbourne - Inner
1,779 employed
VIC
+21.35%
year on year
- 2
Melbourne - West
1,539 employed
VIC
+17.21%
year on year
- 3
Melbourne - South East
1,359 employed
VIC
+11.85%
year on year
- 4
Geelong
1,121 employed
VIC
+39.43%
year on year
- 5
Melbourne - Inner South
1,036 employed
VIC
+16.01%
year on year
AiraloAffiliate linkNeed a local eSIM when you arrive?
Stay connected from day one with an affordable Airalo eSIM — 200+ countries covered.
Get your eSIMPossible next career moves
Ranked by current shortage signal and projected employment growth.
Workers in this occupation
1,885
Moved in from another occupation
300
Moved to another occupation
205
Recommendation score: shortage = 2 points, no shortage = 1 point, plus 1 point for each 10% of projected growth to 2035.
- 1
4
points
- 2
3
points
Data status
- Classification
- OSCA 261132
- Last updated
- 2026-07-16
- Sources
- Jobs and Skills Australia OSL · Jobs and Skills Australia DOM · ABS OSCA · Department of Home Affairs Core Skills Occupation List matched via ABS OSCA 2024 v1.0 correspondence Table 2
Labour-market data coverage
- Shortage signal and drivers: JSA Occupation Shortage List (ANZSCO unit group where applicable).
- Work profile, state distribution and education: JSA Occupation Profiles (ANZSCO mapped).
- Regional employment: JSA NERO, June 2026.
- Career-move observations: JSA DOM, last available 2020–21. Observed Australian worker transitions are not personalised recommendations; many contractors and sole traders are excluded, as are transitions below 10 workers.
- Vacancy signal: JSA Internet Vacancy Index, 3-month average (ANZSCO unit group).
- Employment outlook: JSA employment projections (ANZSCO unit group).
- Training pathways: JSA Training Occupation Pathways.
Data confidence: official-profile-and-csol.