Counsellor jobs in Cairns, QLD

Counsellor work in Cairns, QLD

Counsellor roles in Cairns, QLD sit within significant and ongoing workforce shortages across all disciplines. Cultural competency is essential. Rural outreach, remote community, and ATSI-specific roles are particularly active. Incentives including accommodation assistance are commonly offered. counsellor positions are found across public health services, community organisations, and private practice in the region.

Counselling in Australia is a broad field practiced by professionals from a range of backgrounds. Counsellors use therapeutic approaches such as person-centred therapy, solution-focused brief therapy, narrative therapy, and CBT to support clients through emotional difficulties. While counselling is not a protected title in Australia, professional membership through PACFA or the Australian Counselling Association (ACA) is expected by most employers.

Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service (CHHHS) delivers public mental health services across Far North Queensland, including inpatient care at Cairns Hospital, community mental health teams, and specialist services. The CHHHS catchment extends to remote communities across Cape York, the Torres Strait, and the Gulf Country, with significant outreach and fly-in fly-out service delivery roles.

Qualifications typically required

• Diploma or Bachelor of Counselling, or equivalent
• PACFA or ACA professional membership
• Working with Children Check (for roles involving minors)
• NDIS Worker Screening Check for disability sector roles

Key employers in Cairns, QLD

• Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service
• Cairns Hospital
• headspace Cairns
• North Queensland PHN
• Lives Lived Well
• UnitingCare Queensland
• Queensland Health
• Apunipima Cape York Health Council