Local in-person health and wellbeing counsellor

Individuals paying for sessions, plus employers, community groups and gyms that book workshops for staff or members.

Fees per session or per person for a multi-week group program, plus fixed fees for one-off workplace workshops.

• Running a room and keeping a group engaged
• Listening and counselling skills, plus nutrition and habit change basics
• Networking with local businesses and health professionals

• Health counselling and coaching are generally not regulated professions in Australia, but check which job titles are protected and avoid implying you are a dietitian, psychologist or other registered health professional
• Stay within your scope: this is lifestyle guidance, not mental health treatment. Refer clients with medical or mental health concerns to a GP or qualified professional
• Consider joining a professional body such as ACA or PACFA, and check their training and ethics requirements if you want to use the title counsellor
• Public liability and professional indemnity insurance, and check whether venues require their own cover
• Check council rules if you plan to see clients at home
• Register for an ABN and check when GST registration applies

Startup costs are typically around $1,000 to $5,000, depending on training, room hire, insurance and materials. These are estimates only, and your own costs will vary with where you run sessions and how you set up.

Monthly revenue is typically around $800 to $4,500, depending on how many individual clients and group workshops you book. This is an estimate, and it will vary with your pricing, location and hours.

Check which job titles are protected and avoid implying you are a dietitian, psychologist or other registered professional. Also check professional body requirements such as ACA or PACFA, insurance, venue cover, council rules for seeing clients at home, ABN and GST.