Rehabilitation Counsellor
Shortage Now
States / territories with a shortage signal
Snapshot
Median salary
A$73,200
Full-time annual
People employed
1,900
Estimated workforce
Shortage signal
Shortage (national)
Categories identify where a shortage occurs; they are not a severity score.
What you actually do
Assists people experiencing injuries, disabilities, health conditions and social disadvantage to achieve their personal, educational and vocational goals. Provides specialist counselling, rehabilitation and resource coordination services to maximise people's independence and inclusion in employment and other community settings.
Read official OSCA descriptionSkills & main tasks
Official main tasks
- Conducts assessments and evaluations to determine clients' psychosocial and cognitive ability, vocational interests and psychological wellbeing
- Ascertains clients' functional capacity to develop appropriate rehabilitation plans
- Works with clients in relation to their career, study or employment options by providing information and resources in these areas
- Provides individual counselling to clients to address emotional and psychological challenges related to their injuries, disabilities, health conditions or social disadvantage
- Assists clients, their family members, and other Professionals to develop rehabilitation plans
- Assists people with disability and neurodivergent individuals to find suitable employment by collaborating with employers and clients to ensure reasonable adjustments and provision of ongoing support
Where people work
State / territory distribution
Highest education
Share of workers
Education & work pattern
Part-time
28%
Female rate
70%
Median age
35
2030 & 2035 employment outlook
to 2030
+13%
4,419 projected jobs
to 2035
+23%
7,954 projected jobs
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OSCA skill level 1
A classification attribute describing the occupation; it is not a personal eligibility or qualification decision.
Official VET pathways
Certificate IV in Alcohol and Other Drugs
Progression pathway
Certificate IV in Mental Health Peer Work
Progression pathway
Diploma of Counselling
Progression pathway
Diploma of Mental Health
Progression pathway
Certificate IV in Personal Injury Management
Progression pathway
Diploma of Personal Injury and Disability Insurance Management
Progression pathway
Diploma of Alcohol and Other Drugs
Transferable skills
Related study options
Bachelor
Compare university ROIReal 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 Rehabilitation 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
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Ranked by current shortage signal and projected employment growth.
Workers in this occupation
1,735
Moved in from another occupation
255
Moved to another occupation
200
Recommendation score: shortage = 2 points, no shortage = 1 point, plus 1 point for each 10% of projected growth to 2035.
- 1
3
points
Data status
- Classification
- OSCA 261135
- Last updated
- Refresh pending
- Sources
- Jobs and Skills Australia OSL · Jobs and Skills Australia DOM · ABS OSCA · OSCA 2024 — Jobs and Skills Australia
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: estimate.