Student Counsellor Visa Pathway to Australia: Complete 2026 Guide
Updated: 16 June 2026
Australia classifies Student Counsellor under ANZSCO 272115. VETASSESS conducts the skills assessment. The occupation is on the CSOL, opening subclasses 190, 491, 482 and 186, but not the 189. Typical 2026 salaries run AUD $70,000 to $100,000. VETASSESS assesses this as a Group A occupation, and a counselling qualification, not a teaching degree, is what passes.
Quick Facts: Student Counsellor Migration Pathway
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| ANZSCO Code | 272115 (Student Counsellor) |
| Skill Level | 1 (Bachelor degree or higher) |
| Skills Assessment | VETASSESS (Group A occupation) |
| Occupation List | CSOL (also listed on the STSOL) |
| Visa Options | 190, 491, 482, 186 |
| Demand Level | Moderate to high — schools and universities expanding wellbeing support |
| Salary Range | AUD $70,000-$100,000 (SEEK, Glassdoor 2026) |
| Typical 491 Score | Regional nomination adds 15 points |
| Key Challenge | Group A needs a counselling qualification; a teaching or general psychology degree often falls short |
What Student Counsellors Do in Australia
Student counsellors support the wellbeing and learning of students in schools, colleges and universities. They advise students, parents and teachers on personal problems, learning difficulties and special requirements. The work includes individual counselling, group programs, crisis support and referral to specialist services. Many sit within school welfare teams; others work in university student-support centres.
Demand has grown as Australian schools and universities expand mental-health and wellbeing services. Student wellbeing has become a funded priority across the education sector, and regional schools in particular report difficulty filling counselling roles. The role overlaps with broader counselling demand, which features among the country's most in-demand occupations. It remains a specialist niche rather than a mass-volume occupation.
ANZSCO Code: 272115 Student Counsellor
The code 272115 covers professionals who provide information and assistance to students, parents and teachers on personal problems, learning difficulties and special requirements. ANZSCO sets the skill level at 1, a bachelor degree or higher.
This is one of several counselling codes, distinct from Drug and Alcohol Counsellor (272112), Rehabilitation Counsellor (272114) and Counsellors nec (272199). The work and qualifications you document should match the code you nominate. Student counselling is also separate from school psychology, which maps to the educational psychology codes. Review the ANZSCO code finder and the drug and alcohol counsellor pathway before deciding which counselling code fits.
Skills Assessment: VETASSESS
VETASSESS assesses Student Counsellor as a Group A professional occupation. Group A means both your qualification and your employment must assess positively.
Requirements
- A qualification assessed as comparable to an Australian bachelor degree or higher in a highly relevant field
- Highly relevant fields are Counselling and Psychotherapy
- A related field such as psychology, social work or mental health may require an additional counselling or psychotherapy qualification at graduate diploma level or above
- At least one year of post-qualification employment in the last five years, at least 20 hours a week, in a highly relevant role
Assessment cost: VETASSESS publishes professional assessment fees on its fees page; confirm the current figure before lodging.
Processing time: VETASSESS states the full skills assessment for this occupation takes around 8 to 10 weeks from a complete, paid application.
Common rejection reasons: A teaching qualification or a general psychology degree without counselling training is the common failure. The assessment looks for counselling-specific study and supervised practice, not classroom teaching or psychological science alone.
VETASSESS appears on the official assessor list in the skills assessment bodies directory.
Visa Pathways for Student Counsellors
Because 272115 is on the CSOL but not the MLTSSL, the 189 is unavailable. The pathways centre on state nomination, regional nomination and employer sponsorship.
Subclass 190 — Skilled Nominated Visa
State nomination adds 5 points and grants permanent residency. You commit to living in the nominating state for two years.
- Visa fee: AUD $4,910
- Points boost: +5
- Eligibility note: Requires a positive VETASSESS assessment and a state that lists the occupation.
Subclass 491 — Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa
Regional nomination adds 15 points. A five-year provisional visa with a permanent residency pathway through the 191.
- Visa fee: AUD $4,910
- Points boost: +15
- Quirk: Regional schools have some of the deepest wellbeing-staffing shortages, which can make regional nomination the more realistic route.
Subclass 482 — Skills in Demand Visa
Employer-sponsored temporary visa. A route where a school, college or university offers a role.
- Visa fee: AUD $3,210
- Eligibility note: The employer must meet sponsorship and salary requirements.
- Duration: Up to four years.
Subclass 186 — Employer Nomination Scheme
Permanent residency through employer sponsorship, via the Direct Entry or Temporary Residence Transition streams.
- Visa fee: AUD $4,910
Points Test Strategy
The 190 and 491 are points-tested, so the score matters.
| Points Factor | Points | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Age (25-32) | 30 | Maximum bracket |
| Age (33-39) | 25 | Still strong |
| English (Superior, 8.0) | 20 | Worth the preparation |
| English (Proficient, 7.0) | 10 | More common |
| Qualification (Master's) | 15 | Common in counselling |
| Qualification (Bachelor's) | 15 | Minimum for skill level 1 |
| Overseas experience (5-8 years) | 10 | Skilled employment in the occupation |
| State nomination (190) | 5 | Apply where the occupation is listed |
| Regional (491) | 15 | Strongest single boost |
| Partner skills | 5-10 | If your partner has a skilled occupation |
Realistic Scenarios
Scenario 1: Master's holder, 31, Proficient English, 5 years experience Age 30 + Master's 15 + English 10 + Experience 10 = 65 points. A 491 nomination adds 15 to reach 80, a workable regional score.
Scenario 2: Bachelor's holder, 35, Superior English, 3 years experience Age 25 + Bachelor's 15 + English 20 + Experience 5 = 65 points. A 190 nomination lifts this to 70; a 491 lifts it to 80.
State Nomination
State lists change each program year, so confirm the current position against each state's published list and the Skilled Occupation List 2026. Education-sector wellbeing shortages mean counselling occupations recur on state and regional lists. Where a state nominates 272115, expect a requirement for recent skilled experience, and sometimes a regional job offer. Regional school systems are among the more active nominators because vacancies there are hardest to fill.
Salary and Employment Outlook
| Role | Typical Salary Range |
|---|---|
| Early-career student counsellor | AUD $65,000-$80,000 |
| Student counsellor (general) | AUD $80,000-$95,000 |
| Senior or lead counsellor | AUD $95,000-$110,000 |
| Student wellbeing coordinator | AUD $100,000+ |
Salary data varies by source and setting. Glassdoor places the broad student counsellor average around AUD $71,000, with the upper quartile near AUD $95,000, while advertised school roles can reach AUD $80,000 to $116,000 for experienced candidates. Superannuation of 11.5% applies. Public school systems and universities offer structured pay scales; experienced counsellors and coordinators sit at the upper end. Regional and remote roles sometimes attract incentive payments.
Schools, colleges, universities and education departments are the main employers. Counsellors who add specialist skills, such as trauma-informed practice or careers guidance, tend to find the strongest demand.
Tips for a Successful Application
- Hold a counselling qualification, not a teaching degree. VETASSESS assesses Counselling and Psychotherapy as highly relevant. A teaching qualification or a general psychology degree without counselling training usually fails the qualification test.
- If your degree is in a related field, add a counselling credential. Psychology, social work and mental health are related fields that may need a graduate diploma or higher in counselling to clear Group A.
- Document at least one year of recent, paid work of 20 or more hours a week. Both the qualification and the employment must pass for a Group A outcome.
- Aim for regional nomination if your points are mid-range. Regional schools carry deep wellbeing-staffing shortages, and the 491 adds 15 points.
- Frame references around counselling duties. Employment references should describe student counselling, wellbeing support and referral work, not classroom teaching.
Step-by-Step Migration Roadmap
- Confirm your ANZSCO code with the ANZSCO code finder.
- Check list status on the Skilled Occupation List 2026 and the CSOL.
- Confirm your qualification is in counselling or psychotherapy, or add one if it is in a related field.
- Gather employment evidence of one year at 20-plus hours a week.
- Sit an English test and aim for Superior where feasible.
- Lodge the VETASSESS Group A assessment and allow 8 to 10 weeks.
- Submit an expression of interest in SkillSelect for the 190 or 491.
- Apply for state or regional nomination.
- Alternatively, secure an education employer for the 482 or 186.
- Receive the invitation and lodge the visa.
- Complete health and character checks.
- Receive the grant and relocate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a teacher qualify as a student counsellor for migration?
Not on a teaching qualification alone. VETASSESS assesses Student Counsellor against Counselling and Psychotherapy as the highly relevant fields. A teaching degree, even with school experience, usually needs a separate counselling qualification before it assesses positively for this occupation.
Can I apply for the 189 as a student counsellor?
No. The occupation is on the CSOL and STSOL, not the MLTSSL, so the 189 is unavailable. The pathways are the 190, 491, 482 and 186, with the 491 carrying the largest points boost for regional applicants.
How long does the VETASSESS assessment take?
VETASSESS states the full skills assessment for Student Counsellor takes around 8 to 10 weeks from a complete, paid application. Incomplete documentation or a qualification that needs detailed review can extend this.
What if my background is in psychology rather than counselling?
Psychology is a related field rather than a highly relevant one for this code. VETASSESS may require an additional counselling or psychotherapy qualification, often at graduate diploma level or above, before assessing your application positively.
What is the demand outlook for student counsellors?
Demand is moderate to high and rising as schools and universities expand wellbeing services. Student wellbeing is a funded education-sector priority, and regional schools in particular report difficulty filling counselling roles. It remains a specialist niche rather than a high-volume occupation.
