There is a strong demand for alcohol and drug counsellors across the state. They are an essential support for people who are experiencing alcohol or drug related issues.
Find out what an alcohol and drug counsellor does and the related Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses and pathways you can take to secure a job.
What is an alcohol and drug counsellor?
Alcohol and drug counsellors help people with alcohol or drug issues. You might provide support with:
- goal setting and treatment plans
- counselling
- first aid
- legal aid.
There are a range of places you could work to support people. These include:
- community service organisations
- welfare organisations
- mental health services
- rehabilitation facilities
- health services
- community education settings
- call centres.
Find out more about alcohol and drug counsellors(opens in a new window) and these related jobs on the Victorian Skills Gateway(opens in a new window):
- child or youth residential care assistant(opens in a new window)
- community worker(opens in a new window)
- counsellor(opens in a new window)
- disabilities services officer(opens in a new window)
- disability services program manager(opens in a new window)
- diversional therapist(opens in a new window)
- family and marriage counsellor(opens in a new window)
- family support worker(opens in a new window)
- refuge worker(opens in a new window)
- residential care officer(opens in a new window)
- social worker(opens in a new window)
- welfare centre manager(opens in a new window)
- welfare worker(opens in a new window)
- youth worker(opens in a new window).
Related training courses
Search for related VET courses on the Victorian Skills Gateway(opens in a new window):
- alcohol and other drugs(opens in a new window)
- chaplaincy and pastoral care(opens in a new window)
- child, youth and family intervention(opens in a new window)
- community services(opens in a new window)
- counselling(opens in a new window)
- disability support(opens in a new window)
- justice and corrections(opens in a new window)
- mental health(opens in a new window)
- welfare(opens in a new window)
- youth work.(opens in a new window)
You may be eligible for government funding to help pay for your course.
Average salary
The average weekly earnings for drug and alcohol counsellors in Australia is $1,084.
Source: Your Career(opens in a new window)
Note this salary is current as of April 2024 and is indicative only. A range of salaries apply to different roles across the industry.
Job demand in Victoria
Below are the employment forecasts for counsellor jobs in Victoria. Figures show the number of workers in 2023 and the new workers expected to enter the workforce by 2026.
‘New workers expected’ accounts for workers adding new jobs to the economy and replacing retirees over the next 3 years. These forecasts are estimates only. There will be additional jobs available as people move between jobs and industries.
Specific data is not available for alcohol and drug counsellors.
| Region | Workers 2023 | Workforce growth 2023-2026 | New workers needed by 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Victoria | 9,181 | 4.7% | 1,923 |
| Melbourne – inner metropolitan | 1,718 | 5.1% | 384 |
| Melbourne – inner south-east metropolitan | 812 | 4.2% | 158 |
| Melbourne – southern metropolitan | 1,180 | 4.4% | 238 |
| Melbourne – northern metropolitan | 1,093 | 4.8% | 232 |
| Melbourne – eastern metropolitan | 1,343 | 4.6% | 278 |
| Melbourne – western metropolitan | 832 | 4.6% | 174 |
| Ballarat and surrounds (Central Highlands) | 268 | 4.7% | 57 |
| Bendigo, Echuca and surrounds (Loddon Campaspe) | 328 | 4.3% | 65 |
| Geelong, Colac and surrounds (Barwon) | 566 | 5.7% | 138 |
| Gippsland | 330 | 4.4% | 66 |
| Horsham and surrounds (Wimmera Southern Mallee) | 69 | 2.6% | 10 |
| Mildura, Swan Hill and surrounds (Mallee) | 113 | 3.2% | 18 |
| Shepparton, Seymour and surrounds (Goulburn) | 203 | 4.8% | 44 |
| Wangaratta, Wodonga and surrounds (Ovens Murray) | 195 | 4.4% | 39 |
| Warrnambool, Hamilton and surrounds (Great South Coast) | 131 | 3.2% | 21 |
Source: Victorian Skills Authority employment forecast dashboard
Career story
Kim’s career switch to community services
“I completed my Diploma of Counselling online and when I finished I was employed from then onwards. There are many more opportunities for me now, but I want to stay in a job where I’m helping people.”
Resources to plan your next steps
Visit our community services industry profile to find out about:
- what it’s like to work in community services, and some of the jobs you could do
- training and skills to work in the industry, and financial assistance to help pay for your course
- help getting a job in community services, and industry job forecasts for Victoria
- other free resources and advice to plan your training and career.
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