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ANZSCO 272112Updated 2026-01-29

Drug and Alcohol Counsellor

National shortage level: Low

Snapshot

Median pay: AUD 73k
Weekly earnings: AUD 1410
Salary range: AUD 66k-AUD 80k
Job ads trend: Not listed
Time to hire: Varies
Visa pathways: Check eligibility

State distribution

34.1%
VIC
22.2%
NSW
16%
QLD

Education mix

29.5%
bachelor degree
25.3%
advanced diploma/ diploma
20.6%
Post graduate

Role overview

Drug and Alcohol Counsellors provide support and treatment for people with drug and alcohol dependency problems, develop strategies which assist them to set goals and affect and maintain change, and provide community education. They may work in call centres.

What you do
  • Assesses client needs in relation to treatment for drug and alcohol abuse.
  • Conducts counselling interviews with individuals, couples and family groups.
  • Assists people in the understanding and adjustment of attitudes, expectations and behaviour.

Core skills

    Credentials & pathway

    • Recommended level: bachelor degree (29.5%)

    Recent job ads

    No ads listed yet.

    Tasks

    • Assesses client needs in relation to treatment for drug and alcohol abuse.
    • Assists people in the understanding and adjustment of attitudes, expectations and behaviour.
    • Conducts counselling interviews with individuals, couples and family groups.

    Earnings

    Weekly median: AUD 1410
    Annual median: AUD 73k
    Range: AUD 66k-AUD 80k