anzsco.com.au
ANZSCO 272113Skill level 1Version 5Updated 2026-04-26

Family and Marriage Counsellor

A Family and Marriage Counsellor provides therapeutic counselling to couples and families experiencing relationship difficulties, conflict, and family breakdown in Australian community and private practice settings.

Indicative salary range
$65,000 - $110,000 (2025 indicative)

Full-time AUD, 2025 indicative. Wide bands reflect variation by employer, experience, and location.

Labour market demand

High demand; relationship and family counselling services are in significant demand across Australia.

Occupation list membership

Which Department of Home Affairs skilled lists this occupation currently appears on.

  • STSOLShort-Term Skilled Occupation List

    Occupations eligible for shorter-term sponsored visas including Subclass 482 (short-term stream).

Assessing authority

The body that assesses skills for migration purposes for this occupation.

Visa pathways

Australian visa subclasses for which this occupation is currently eligible.

State nominations

States and territories that currently nominate this occupation for skilled migration.

CodeState / TerritoryDetails
WAWestern AustraliaView nomination →
SASouth AustraliaView nomination →
ACTAustralian Capital TerritoryView nomination →

Key duties

  • Provide couples and family counselling using systemic and evidence-based therapeutic approaches
  • Facilitate communication and conflict resolution between family members
  • Assess family dynamics and develop therapeutic goals with clients
  • Refer families to legal, financial, and community support services as needed

Skills required

  • Couples and family therapy models (EFT, Gottman, structural family therapy)
  • Therapeutic assessment and case formulation for relationships
  • Conflict resolution and communication facilitation
  • Professional ethics and confidentiality in family counselling

Typical qualifications pathway

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Counselling or Social Work; AIFC or ACA membership. VETASSESS assesses qualifications.

Visa & occupation list information

Listed on MLTSSL and CSOL, enabling subclasses 186, 189, 190, 482, 485, 491, and 494 For advice on which pathway suits your circumstances, consult a registered MARA migration agent.

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Occupation record last reviewed by editorial team: