How to become a Careers Adviser

Also called: Career Coach, Career Development Practitioner, Career Practitioner, Careers Consultant, Careers Counsellor

Assists individuals and groups in managing their careers, making occupational and educational decisions, and skill development.

Main tasks

• Advises individuals with educational, occupational, employment and career options
• Assists individuals in developing job-seeking strategies, resumes, applications, interviewing skills and career portfolios
• Utilises career assessment instruments where appropriate to assist individuals in identifying their interests, skills, values, aptitudes and abilities
• Advises students with career planning and assists them to make informed decisions for pathways following school completion
• Facilitates and delivers workshops and programs to a diverse range of individuals and groups
• Develops and facilitates programs for career education and occupational training
• Consults with educators, training providers, community organisations, government agencies, businesses and employers
• Assists individuals in navigating career transitions and locating industry immersion placements
• Liaises with employers to identify job opportunities and help jobseekers to connect with potential employers
• Prepares reports and maintains client records

Ways in

• University: Social Work & Community degrees, Offered by 34 universities in Australia
• TAFE and VET: Certificate IV in Career Development (CHC41215); Graduate Certificate in Career Development Practice (CHC81315); Certificate IV in Employment Services (CHC41115); Diploma of Human Resource Management (BSB50320)

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

• Typical full-time pay: $112,008 a year
• About 34,000 people work in this job group now, and about 42,000 are projected by 2035. (+23.4%)
• AI is likely to change parts of this job. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as medium.

Related jobs

• Adult Literacy / Numeracy Teacher
• Student Services Adviser
• Academic Tutor (Private Tuition)
• Art Teacher (Private Tuition)
• Dance Teacher (Private Tuition)
• Speech and Drama Teacher (Private Tuition)

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Questions people ask

How do I become a Careers Adviser?

Ways in include: Social Work & Community degrees; Certificate IV in Career Development; Graduate Certificate in Career Development Practice.

How much does a Careers Adviser earn in Australia?

Median full-time pay is $112,008 a year (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Is a Careers Adviser a growing career in Australia?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 23% by 2035, from about 34,000 to about 42,000 people (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Do you need a degree to become a Careers Adviser?

Usually. 69% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Will AI change the work of a Careers Adviser?

AI is likely to change parts of this job. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as medium.

Sources

• Jobs and Skills Australia: Occupation data (ANZSCO), from ABS Labour Force and Census (February 2026), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Jobs and Skills Australia: Generative AI Capacity Study, interactive table data (September 2025), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Jobs and Skills Australia: Employment Projections (Victoria University) (May 2025 to May 2035), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Australian Taxation Office: Taxation Statistics, Individuals Table 15A (2023-24), CC BY 2.5 AU, retrieved 2026-10-04

Updated 2026-10-04