AusRehab

Vocational Counselling Services in Sydney & NSW

Work injury got you sidelined from your old job? It’s time to explore new possibilities. At AusRehab, we offer trusted and accredited vocational counselling services in Sydney and NSW, designed to support injured workers, employers, and insurers through career disruption and recovery. We specialise in vocational counselling that integrates practical planning, clear communication, and emotional support across the rehabilitation process. 

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Have questions for us? Better yet, ready to request for our services? Our team is happy to help! Here’s what makes us stand out:

Achieving Sustainable Employment Outcomes

Our vocational counselling service is not just about getting you back to work. We’ll find the right fit for you based on your capacity and long-term goals.

Matching Suitable Duties with Worker Capacity

We assess each worker’s physical and psychological abilities to recommend suitable vocational options. This ensures a safe return to work with tasks that are achievable and meaningful.

Planning Long-Term Employment Options

Through personalised vocational counselling, we help you explore sustainable employment options after injury, including retraining, role changes, or career transitions that support your future.

Techniques Used in Vocational Counselling

Curious about what makes our approach effective?

At AusRehab, we use tailored vocational counselling strategies that are grounded in proven, person-centred techniques. These methods are designed to enhance self-awareness, improve problem-solving skills, and provide clarity in career direction.

Motivational Interviewing

Helps uncover the why behind a worker’s choices. It builds motivation and readiness for change, even in resistant or uncertain individuals.

Solution-Focused Counselling

We don’t dwell on what can’t be done. We focus on what’s possible. Solution-focused vocational counselling builds momentum and helps overcome setbacks.

Stages of Change & Acceptance

We assess a worker’s stage of readiness and guide them toward acceptance, growth, and sustainable goal setting. Change takes time, and we respect that.

Evidence-Based Counselling Strategies

Our consultants use tools like SMART goals, activity scheduling, and vocational mapping to help clients understand their options and build toward success.

A vocational rehabilitation consultant is at work, helping injured workers with counselling to find sustainable employment.

What Is Vocational Counselling?

Imagine you’ve been injured at work and can’t return to your old role. Now what? 

 

Here at AusRehab, we understand what you’re going through. And so our vocational counselling service steps in to help you adjust to work-related changes. 

 

No, it’s not therapy or treatment, but a practical service that helps individuals identify suitable and sustainable employment options after injury or career disruption. 

 

Vocational counselling works best when:

  • You can no longer perform your pre-injury duties
  • You are considering working with a new employer
  • You need clarity about your career direction

 

How Vocational Counselling Differs From Psychological Treatment

Confused between vocational counselling vs psychological treatment? Let’s clarify their differences.

Vocational counselling focuses on:

 

Meanwhile, psychological treatment is designed to support:

  • Mental health recovery
  • Emotional wellbeing
  • Trauma and psychological symptoms

 

At AusRehab, our vocational counselling team uses evidence-based tools like motivational interviewing, goal setting, and skill-mapping, rather than clinical mental health therapy.

When Do You Need Vocational Counselling?

Vocational counselling is most valuable during times of change or uncertainty in your work life. This often happens after an injury or when returning to work seems overwhelming or unclear.

Here are a few examples where vocational counselling in NSW can help:

 

After a Workplace Injury

Suppose you’ve been injured on the job and are unsure what work you can return to. In that case, vocational counselling for injured workers helps identify achievable job options based on your new capabilities.

 

Returning to Work with a New Employer

If returning to your previous employer isn’t an option, we support you in planning new employment after injury by preparing for RTW with a new employer. This process includes assessing your transferable skills, exploring suitable job opportunities, and building confidence for a successful transition.

 

For Career Change or Transition

Even without a recent injury, some workers may require career transition counselling. This is especially true when capabilities have changed, or long-term roles are no longer suitable.

What Is Vocational Counselling for Workers Compensation?

Vocational counselling is a support service provided through the workers compensation system to help injured workers who may not be able to return to their pre-injury role.

It focuses on career planning, skill development, and safe work options so you can move forward in your working life after an injury.


In practice, vocational counselling may involve:

  • Improving self-awareness and understanding of occupational strengths.
  • Identifying and overcoming barriers that may delay or prevent return to work.
  • Supporting decision-making about suitable employment options.


Unlike medical treatment, which focuses on your physical recovery, vocational counselling looks at your employment future, helping you regain direction, purpose, and independence.

Vocational Counselling in Workplace Rehabilitation

At AusRehab, we embed vocational counselling within a broader workplace rehabilitation framework, ensuring collaboration between all key stakeholders. We deliver services that are compliant with NSW workers compensation standards. 

 

Workplace Vocational Counselling in NSW

Our consultants work directly with injured workers, employers, and insurers across NSW. We support the transition back to work by identifying suitable duties, building goal-driven plans, and reducing uncertainty.

 

Collaboration with Doctors and Rehab Providers

Our process includes close liaison with:

  • Treating GPs and specialists
  • Allied health providers
  • Employers and HR teams
  • Case managers and insurers

This ensures each vocational counselling plan is informed, supported, and sustainable.

Career Transition & Transferable Skills

You may not be able to return to your old job, but you don’t have to start over. We help workers understand what they bring to the table and how to apply it in new ways.

Exploring Transferable Skills

 We analyse past roles, training, and capabilities to uncover skills that can be applied in new industries or roles.

Career Transition Services in NSW

 Our career change support in NSW is ideal for those facing long-term shifts in work capacity or role suitability.

Finding Suitable Duties & New Opportunities

 Through guided sessions, we help workers find realistic and achievable options and take the necessary steps to get there.

Our Services

Benefits of Vocational Counselling

Here at AusRehab, vocational counselling brings meaningful gains, not just for your return to work, but for your overall recovery. Below is what the evidence shows about what vocational counselling may help you achieve.

Adjust to your changed circumstances

A serious injury can unsettle your identity and confidence. You may question what you can do now, how others see you, and whether you have a future in work.

Vocational counselling offers a guided process to “re-map” your skills, values, and possibilities. It helps you discover meaningful roles that align with what you can do, without pushing beyond your limits.

Taking that step can be viewed as an investment in your long-term well-being and sense of purpose.

Support an earlier and more sustainable return to work

 Early intervention in treatment and rehabilitation correlates with stronger return-to-work outcomes. The longer an absence continues, the more difficult the return becomes.

For instance, some analyses show that after an extended absence, the probability of returning to work drops significantly.

Vocational counselling helps you engage proactively, boosting confidence, easing uncertainty, and improving understanding of options so you’re better equipped to return sooner.

Promote better health and well-being

 There is a growing consensus: long stretches out of work are linked with declines in mental health, higher rates of depression, and even poorer physical health outcomes.

Conversely, “good work” is seen as part of the therapeutic process. Returning to meaningful employment can reduce isolation, restore structure, support social connection, and provide financial security.

For many people, engaging in vocational counselling promotes psychological well-being by giving direction, hope and a sense of agency.

Why Choose AusRehab for Vocational Counselling in NSW

Wondering why AusRehab is a great choice for vocational counselling in NSW? Here’s what sets us apart:

 

  • Accredited vocational counselling services aligned with NSW SIRA standards
  • Delivered by qualified vocational counsellors (ASORC/RCAA or psychologists)
  • Proven expertise in vocational rehabilitation
  • Worker-centred, outcome-driven approach
  • Collaborative, transparent communication with all stakeholders

 

With AusRehab, you’re gaining a supportive team that’s committed to helping you move forward with confidence and clarity.

Why choose AusRehab for Vocational Counselling after your work injury
We're always ready to answer your questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can provide Vocational Counselling in NSW?

In NSW, vocational counselling services must be delivered by qualified professionals. A qualified vocational counsellor in NSW is typically a rehabilitation counsellor who is a full member of ASORC or RCAA, or a registered psychologist with general registration.

 

At AusRehab, our team includes fully qualified professionals offering accredited vocational counselling services. If you’re looking for a registered rehabilitation counsellor in Sydney, we’re ready to help you or your clients move forward.

What is the difference between Vocational Counselling and Vocational Rehabilitation?

Vocational counselling is a specific service within the broader scope of vocational rehabilitation services. It focuses on identifying suitable work options, building confidence, and setting goals to support career transitions, especially after injury.

 

In contrast, vocational rehabilitation (also referred to as occupational rehabilitation services) may involve medical treatment, workplace assessments, and broader case management.

 

While both services support recovery, vocational counselling is more about personalised planning and motivation. It should not be confused with psychological therapy, as outlined above.

Can Vocational Counselling help identify transferable skills and new career options?

Yes. One of the key benefits of vocational counselling is uncovering transferable skills that may not be obvious at first. Through structured sessions and transferable skills assessments, we help individuals explore their previous roles, strengths, and interests.

 

Here at AusRehab, our vocational counselling career change support in NSW is ideal for workers who can no longer return to their pre-injury job. We guide clients in exploring transferable skills and identifying new, achievable employment paths.

How does Vocational Counselling support injured workers adjusting to new work capacity or restrictions?

After an injury, adjusting to new work capabilities can be challenging. Vocational counselling after injury supports this process by building confidence, motivation, and clarity.

 

At AusRehab, using techniques like motivational interviewing and goal setting, our consultants help workers identify suitable vocational options that reflect their current abilities. This promotes sustainable employment and long-term return-to-work success.

How long does the Vocational Counselling process take and what outcomes can I expect?

The length of the vocational counselling process depends on insurer approval and individual needs. Each session runs for one hour, and the total number of sessions can vary.

 

Here at AusRehab, each session follows a clear vocational counselling framework, using evidence-based strategies tailored to the worker’s stage of readiness. We use the stages of change model to match the right approach at the right time.

 

Outcomes may include:

 

Does AusRehab provide Vocational Counselling services in NSW and Sydney?

Yes. AusRehab offers professional vocational counselling services across NSW, including metro and regional areas. If you are looking for support in Sydney, we have experienced consultants available for in-person and remote sessions.

 

We help individuals return to work safely and sustainably. Our services are trusted by case managers, employers, and medical professionals.

How do I access vocational counselling?

The most direct way to access vocational counselling is through your workers compensation insurer. Contact your claims manager and ask for a referral to a workplace rehabilitation provider, such as AusRehab. From there, the provider can request vocational counselling services tailored to your recovery and return-to-work needs.

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Book Vocational Counselling Services in Sydney & NSW

Thinking about vocational counselling in NSW? AusRehab can help.

 

Our registered rehabilitation counsellors in Sydney deliver accredited, personalised support across NSW. Get in touch today to learn how our vocational counselling services can support your goals.

 

Contact us or make a referral now to speak with a qualified vocational counsellor.

AusRehab is a workplace rehabilitation provider that offers vocational counselling services to employers and insurers, helping injured workers explore suitable career options.