VTAC – Applications Now Open

Our Year 12 students are meeting with the Careers Team to submit course preferences for 2026. Parent appointments are also available. Please refer to the Parents Guide for further information. https://vtac.edu.au/guides/caregivers-guide

2025 Open Days

Open Days are running on the weekends. These events are a fantastic way to experience campus life for a day and speak with the current students and course advisors.

Click here for a list of dates.

FREE AFLW TICKETS

With the AFLW season about to begin, we’re excited to share a special opportunity for your school community to attend the season opener between Carlton and Collingwood — free of charge.

We’d be grateful if you could pass this offer on to your students and their families.

Match Details

🏉 Carlton v Collingwood

📍 IKON Park

📅 Thursday, August 14

🕢 7:15 PM kick-off

How to Redeem Complimentary Tickets:

🎟️Click here to book

🔑 Use code: AFLW25COMMUNITY at checkout

This is a fantastic chance for families to experience elite women’s football and support the Blues in what promises to be a great night at IKON Park.

Thanks for helping us spread the word — we hope to see many of your families there!

ComputeFest 2025: Discover Tech Studies at UniMelb

Organisation: University of Melbourne

Location: UniMelb Parkville Campus

Date: August 9, 2025

ComputeFest is an opportunity for anyone in Year 10 - 12 who's interested in studying a STEM-related degree to get their first taste of tech at UniMelb!

If you don't know us yet: CISSA is the largest tech club at UniMelb, hosting events throughout the year for all students specialising in technology and building a community for all tech-lover students!

We'll be taking you through:

Industry Experience in Technology Panel: Join us for an insightful discussion featuring professionals from leading tech companies as they share their experiences and career journeys.
Student Experiences in Tech Panel: Discover what it's like to study science and technology at university, with students from disciplines like computer science, data science, and more sharing their journeys.
Programming Workshops: Cover the basics of Python with our tutors, who will guide you through hands-on coding, step by step, with no prior experience required!
And much more!

We encourage you to come along if you're in high school, or tell anyone you know who might be interested! Find out more and register

Access Monash – Science Student Panel

Organisation: Monash University

Location: Online

Date: August 13, 2025

Hear from current Science students about their experiences studying Science, including their favourite subjects, how the course progresses, what drew them to studying a Science degree, and what other opportunities they've had since starting their degree at Monash. Live Q&A included.

Access Monash enhances opportunities for secondary students from low Socio-Economic Status (SES) backgrounds and regional or remote locations, helping them improve their educational outcomes and transform their lives. Find out more and register

Monash Clayton Campus Tour

Organisation: Monash University

Location: Monash Clayton Campus

Date: August 15, 2025

Join us for a 90-minute campus tour and discover all that Monash has to offer! Led by our friendly student ambassadors, you’ll explore the outdoor spaces of our world-class campus, learn about student life, and have the chance to ask questions about studying at Monash. Find out more and register

Jobs & Careers

Psychology vs counselling: What’s the difference?

If you’ve ever been curious about how the mind works or felt drawn to helping people navigate their challenges, you might have thought about a career in psychology or counselling. But while there's some overlap in these fields, they're actually quite different. Think of it like this: all psychologists can do counselling, but not all counsellors are psychologists. Confused? Don't worry, we're about to break it all down.

What do psychologists actually do?

Psychologists study how people think, feel, and behave - but they approach it from a scientific angle. They're interested in the 'why' behind human behaviour, and use research, data, and evidence-based methods to understand mental processes.

A typical day for a psychologist might include conducting therapy sessions, but it could also involve designing research studies, analysing data, writing reports, or even testifying in court. Some psychologists spend their days in labs studying how memory works, while others might be helping companies understand consumer behaviour.

Examples of psychology careers

Clinical psychologist: diagnose and treat emotional, behavioural, and psychological problems through therapy and support.
Research psychologist: study how people think, feel, and behave, often working in universities or research centres to expand our understanding of the mind.
Forensic psychologist: apply psychology to the legal system, helping in criminal investigations, court cases, and rehabilitation.
Educational psychologist: support students, teachers, and families by identifying developmental, behavioural, and learning challenges, then creating strategies to help young people succeed at school.
Organisational psychologist: study workplaces and help businesses improve employee wellbeing, teamwork, and productivity.

So what about counsellors?

Counsellors are the people you turn to when life gets overwhelming. Their main focus is providing emotional support and practical strategies to help their clients work through personal challenges - they're there to listen, guide, and help find solutions.

A counsellor's day could be filled with one-on-one or group sessions helping people process emotions, develop coping strategies, and work towards personal goals. Or, they might specialise in specific areas like relationships, addiction, or grief. In any case, their primary role is always about providing direct support.

Examples of counselling careers

Mental health counsellor: offer emotional support and therapy to help clients manage stress, anxiety, and other personal challenges.
Genetic counsellor: help individuals and families understand genetic conditions, testing options, and the risks of inherited health issues.
Marriage and family counsellor: work with couples and families to improve communication, resolve conflicts, and strengthen relationships.
Addiction counsellor: support people struggling with alcohol, drugs, or other addictions, helping them find healthy coping strategies.
School counsellor: create a safe space for students, offering help with academic pressures, friendships, and personal wellbeing at school.
Career counsellor: help people explore job options, plan career paths, and manage changes or challenges in their work life.

The education journey

Because they're unique careers, the study pathways aren’t the same. Both involve university study, but becoming a psychologist usually takes longer because there’s more research and specialist training involved, while the counselling route is generally shorter and more focused on practical skills.

Psychology pathway

Bachelor's degree in psychology (3-4 years)
Honours year or research experience
Master's degree in a psychology specialisation (1-2 years)
Often a PhD for clinical or research roles (3-4 years)
Supervised practice and registration requirements

Counselling pathway

Bachelor's degree (often in psychology, social work, or related field, 3-4 years)
Diploma or Master's degree in counselling (optional, 1-2 years)
Supervised practice hours
Professional registration or certification

Skills you'll need

Both counsellors and psychologists need great people skills, including active listening, empathy, and communication. But psychologists also rely heavily on research, data analysis, and assessment skills, while counsellors focus more on guiding conversations and offering day-to-day support.

Psychology skills

Strong analytical and research abilities
Critical thinking and problem-solving
Statistical analysis and data interpretation
Scientific writing and communication
Patience for long-term research projects

Counselling skills

Exceptional listening and empathy
Communication and interpersonal skills
Emotional resilience and self-awareness
Practical problem-solving
Ability to maintain professional boundaries

The licensing landscape

Both psychologists and counsellors usually need professional registration to practice, but the requirements can differ.

Psychologists typically need to complete supervised practice with a registered psychologist and pass competency assessments. Counsellors usually need to complete a certain number of supervised practice hours and maintain ongoing professional development.

The key difference is that psychologists can diagnose mental health conditions and are often recognised by other medical professionals and health insurance schemes, while counsellors focus on support and therapy without always requiring a formal diagnosis.

Day-to-day differences

Depending in which path you follow, you might find some common tasks between the two roles, but they could also be quite different. Counsellors usually spend most of their day talking with clients, offering support and strategies for everyday challenges. Psychologists might also see clients, but they often split their time between assessments, writing reports, researching, and analysing data too.

Psychologist tasks

Conduct psychological assessments and write detailed reports
Provide evidence-based therapy using specific techniques
Collaborate with psychiatrists and other medical professionals
Keep up with the latest research in their field
Supervise other mental health professionals

Counsellor tasks

Run back-to-back therapy sessions with clients
Facilitate support groups
Develop personalised treatment plans
Liaise with other support services
Focus on practical coping strategies and emotional support

Which path suits you?

If you love research, enjoy diving deep into data, and want to understand the science behind human behaviour, psychology might be your calling. You'll need patience for a longer study period, but you'll have diverse career options to choose from, from research to clinical practice.

If you're passionate about directly helping people through difficult times and prefer hands-on support work, counselling could be perfect. The training is more focused and practical, getting you into the workforce sooner.

The bottom line

Remember, there's no wrong choice here. Both psychology and counselling are rewarding careers that make a real difference in people's lives. The key is understanding which approach resonates with your interests, strengths, and career goals.

As more people understand and talk openly about mental health, the need for support services continues to rise. So both fields have strong predicted job prospects, with high demand and expected growth for passionate, skilled professionals.

You can explore more career options and pathways on our website here.

Ms Melissa Dillon & Ms Robyn Cardamone

Careers

Parish News

St Agatha's Parish