CHC53215 is the nationally recognised Diploma of Alcohol and Other Drugs. It prepares you for work as a drug and alcohol counsellor. It has been the current version on the national register since 2015, when it replaced CHC50212. Employers posted about 424 drug and alcohol counsellor jobs in June 2026, down 18.1% on a year earlier.
Register data synced 18 Sept 2026 from training.gov.au
Online job ads · June 2026
424last month
Drug and alcohol counsellor roles advertised across Australia
Down on a year earlier
Long-term outlook
Positive
Three structural signals up; current job ads down
Register status
Current
Replaced CHC50212 in 2015
Enrolments
Rising
Up 10.4% in a year
Funding status
Verification pending
Checked against official state program lists
The short answer
The long-term signals behind the Diploma of Alcohol and Other Drugs are positive, though current job advertising is below a year earlier. Drug and alcohol counsellors are in national shortage, employment is projected to grow through 2035 and enrolments are rising. Job ads in June 2026 were down 18.1% on a year earlier. These are official statistics, not a promise about your result.
Jobs and Skills Australia
Is the work there?
Employers are posting fewer drug and alcohol counsellor jobs than a year ago. About 424 drug and alcohol counsellor jobs were advertised online in June 2026, down 18.1% on a year earlier. Over the last 12 months there were about 5,600 job ads, while 905 people were training in the qualification nationally (2025). Ads show the market. Enrolments show the pipeline. Neither is a job promise.
Jobs and Skills Australia, Internet Vacancy Index · latest month June 2026 · ANZSCO 2721
Combined monthly online job ads across Drug And Alcohol Counsellor, to June 2026
Official shortage list
Australia's official shortage list rates rehabilitation counsellors as in shortage. The 2025 Occupation Shortage List rates Rehabilitation Counsellor as in national shortage; Careers Counsellor, Drug and Alcohol Counsellor, Family and Marriage Counsellor, Student Counsellor and Counsellors nec as not in shortage.
Jobs and Skills Australia, Occupation Shortage List · 2025 assessment
Ten year outlook
Drug and alcohol counsellor jobs are projected to keep growing strongly. Jobs and Skills Australia projections put these occupations at 34,045 workers in May 2025, 38,465 by May 2030 (up 13%) and 42,000 by May 2035 (up 23.4%).
34,045
workers, May 2025
38,465
workers, May 2030
42,000
workers, May 2035
Jobs and Skills Australia employment projections · May 2025 to May 2035
Occupation mapping by Get Course, shown with ANZSCO codes so it can be checked.
NCVER Total VET Activity
Who is training
Enrolments in the Diploma of Alcohol and Other Drugs are growing. Across Australia, 820 people enrolled in 2024. In 2025 it was 905, up 10.4% in a year.
865
2019
770
2020
700
2021
595
2022
555
2023
820
2024
905
2025
NCVER Total VET Activity · 2025 collection
training.gov.au · Australian Qualifications Framework
What does studying it involve?
The register and the national framework set some of this. Providers set the rest.
How long it takes
A Diploma is typically 1 to 2 years of full-time study under the Australian Qualifications Framework. Providers set the exact length and pace.
Delivery
Providers set the delivery mode.
Credit for experience
Recognition of prior learning applies to CHC53215 like any qualification on the national register: an approved provider assesses your evidence against each unit.
training.gov.au national register; Australian Qualifications Framework.
State subsidised training lists
What does it cost, and who funds it?
State funding for CHC53215 is being verified against official program lists.
Eligibility and student contributions vary by program and provider. The official state listing is the source of truth. In a subsidised place the government pays most of the tuition and you pay a co-contribution set by the program and provider.
Official state subsidised training program lists, verified per state. Full-fee prices will appear here as partner courses are listed.
training.gov.au · unit packaging
What is in the qualification
The Diploma of Alcohol and Other Drugs is 22 units: 16 core, plus 6 electives chosen from 47 options on the register.
CHCADV005Provide systems advocacy services
CHCAOD001Work in an alcohol and other drugs context
CHCAOD004Assess needs of clients with alcohol and other drugs issues
CHCAOD006Provide interventions for people with alcohol and other drugs issues
CHCAOD007Develop strategies for alcohol and other drugs relapse prevention and management
CHCAOD008Provide advanced interventions to meet the needs of clients with alcohol and other drugs issues
View all 16 core units
CHCAOD009Develop and review individual alcohol and other drugs treatment plans
CHCCCS004Assess co-existing needs
CHCCOM006Establish and manage client relationships
CHCDIV001Work with diverse people
CHCMHS005Provide services to people with co-existing mental health and alcohol and other drugs issues
CHCMHS007Work effectively in trauma informed care
CHCPOL003Research and apply evidence to practice
CHCPRP002Collaborate in professional practice
CHCPRP003Reflect on and improve own professional practice
HLTAID011Provide First Aid
View the 47 elective options
BSBFIM501Manage budgets and financial plans
CHCAOD002Work with clients who are intoxicated
CHCAOD003Provide needle and syringe services
CHCAOD005Provide alcohol and other drugs withdrawal services
CHCCCS007Develop and implement service programs
CHCCCS017Provide loss and grief support
CHCCCS018Provide suicide bereavement support
CHCCDE004Implement participation and engagement strategies
CHCCDE006Work to empower Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander communities
CHCCSL001Establish and confirm the counselling relationship
CHCCSL002Apply specialist interpersonal and counselling interview skills
CHCCSL003Facilitate the counselling relationship and process
CHCCSL007Support counselling clients in decision-making processes
CHCCSM003Work with carers and/or families in complex situations
CHCCSM004Coordinate complex case requirements
CHCDFV006Counsel clients affected by domestic and family violence
CHCDIV002Promote Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultural safety
CHCEDU001Provide community focused health promotion and prevention strategies
CHCGMB001Assess the needs of clients with problem gambling issues
CHCGMB002Provide counselling for clients with problem gambling issues
CHCINM001Meet statutory and organisation information requirements
CHCLLN001Respond to client language, literacy and numeracy needs
CHCMGT001Develop, implement and review quality framework
CHCMGT002Manage partnership agreements with service providers
Get Course maps CHC53215 to its occupations using the register’s own outcome wording, shown with ANZSCO codes (here, 2721) so the mapping can be checked. Job advertisement counts come from the Jobs and Skills Australia Internet Vacancy Index and count online ads, not vacancies filled. Enrolment counts come from NCVER Total VET Activity and count people in training, not completions. Funding rows appear only after verification against the official state program list. Source vintages: Occupation Shortage List 2025 assessment; employment projections May 2025 to May 2035 release; Jobs and Skills Australia Internet Vacancy Index latest month June 2026; NCVER Total VET Activity 2025 collection; register training.gov.au, synced 14 September 2026; register synced 18 Sept 2026. Page last updated 19 Sept 2026.
About this page. Every number on this page shows its source and date. Register data synced 18 Sept 2026 from training.gov.au. Compiled by Get Course from public data sources. It is not provided or endorsed by any training organisation, and nothing here is advice about your individual situation. Statistics describe groups; your result depends on you. If you represent a training organisation and want to correct or add to this page, contact hello@getcourse.com.au.