Career counselling to help you plan your future

When you see the word we it means TAFE NSW.

We use big text to make it easier to read.

We wrote some important words in bold.

This means the letters are thicker and darker.

We explain what these words mean.

On this page, you will learn

• how a counsellor can help you choose the right course
• about support for study and a career
• about help when you are leaving school or changing jobs
• how to book a meeting with a counsellor.

Counselling at TAFE NSW is free.

Counselling is for current and future students.

Counselling is confidential.

Confidential means we don’t share your information with anyone.

A counsellor will talk with you in a private space.

A counsellor is a trained person who gives advice and support.

All our counsellors are trained and experienced.

They help you choose courses that match your

• skills
• interests
• career goals.

They can help if you are

• leaving school

• learning skills

• starting work
• changing careers.

Counsellors can help you to

• learn skills for the job you want
• improve your study skills
• plan your career
• feel confident when returning to work.

Counsellors work with you to plan.

They can help you to

• choose the right course
• get ready to study
• apply for recognition.

Recognition means getting credit for skills or study you have already done.

Credit means your learning or skills are counted.

That means you don’t have to do the same learning again.

Counsellors can help you to

• improve study skills
• prepare for exams
• understand your study options.

They can also help you

• manage your time
• balance study with work or family.

Studying is one step in your journey.

Counsellors also help with getting a job.

They can help you

• to find out about jobs
• to choose training
• get skills to look for a job.

They can also help you with

• writing resumes and job applications
• practicing for interviews
• referrals to job support services

A referral means linking you to another service that can help.

If you are a current student you can book an appointment.

Call TAFE NSW

Call 131 601

When you call TAFE NSW, we will ask you to choose between different options.

1. Choose option 5.

2. Choose option 2.

Your counselling is private and confidential.

Confidential means we don’t share your information with anyone.

We only share information if the law says we must.

Some campuses have bilingual counsellors.

A bilingual counsellor speaks more than one language.

To speak to a bilingual counsellor

1. Call 131 601
2. Tell the operator which language you need.

An interpreter is a person who helps people speak and understand another language.

A translation changes words from one language into another.

If you need a phone interpreter

Call the Translating and Interpreting Service

Call 131 450

You can ask them to call TAFE NSW for you.

The TAFE NSW phone number is 131 601.

To meet an interpreter in person

Call 02 8255 6767

Counselling services are open

• Monday to Friday
• 8:30am to 4pm.

They are closed on

• weekends
• public holidays
• student vacation periods.

You can call TAFE NSW for help.

Call 131 601.

When you call, you will hear options.
Choose:

1. Option 5

2. Option 2

You can email the counselling and careers team.
SI.CareersConnect@tafensw.edu.au

You can email the disability access and support team.
DisabilityAndAccessStudentSupport@tafensw.edu.au

You can chat online with a support worker.
Live chat support

You can use Speak and Listen to get help when you call us.

You can use Speak and Listen if you

• are deaf
• find it hard to hear on the phone
• find it hard to speak on the phone.

Speak and Listen is free.

1. Call 1300 555 727
2. Ask them to call TAFE NSW for you.
   The TAFE NSW phone number is 131 601.
3. You talk to the person from Speak and Listen.
4. They repeat your words to the person at TAFE NSW.

Speak and Listen is operated by the National Relay Service.

Find other ways the National Relay Service can help

Visit their Help desk page.

An interpreter is a person who helps people speak and understand another language.

A translation changes words from one language into another.

If you need a phone interpreter

Call the Translating and Interpreting Service

Call 131 450.

You can ask them to call TAFE NSW for you.

The TAFE NSW phone number is 131 601.

To meet an interpreter in person

Call 02 8255 6767

Bilingual

Able to speak more than one language.

Confidential
Confidential means information is kept private.
Other people cannot see it.

Counselling

Talking with a trained person.
You talk about how you are feeling.

Counsellor
A counsellor is a trained person who can help you talk about your

• feelings
• worries
• problems
• health.

Credit

Learning or skills that count towards a course

Recognition

Credit for skills you already have.
Credit for study you have already done.

Referral

Being linked to another service.
This is to help you get support.