The New South Wales Teachers Federation says the State Government is watering down the qualifications required to be a school counsellor.

The teachers’ union says it may even take the matter to the Industrial Relations Commission.

Previously, NSW school counsellors had to have qualifications in both teaching and psychology.

But a new Education Department job listing calls for “school psychologists”, with no need for teaching qualifications mentioned.

NSW Education Minister Adrian Piccoli said the requirements were changed so that the Government could fulfil its pre-2015-election promise for 230 new counsellors in schools.

“It shouldn't be a requirement that a psychologist also has a teaching degree and is required currently to have taught for a year,” Mr Piccoli said.

“That just simply means it's impossible to recruit schools counsellors and psychologists into our schools.

“There is a desperate need [for counsellors].

“There are great people out there who don't have teaching degrees — psychiatrists, psychologists.

“We want them working in education.”

Teachers’ Federation president Maurie Mulheron has told the ABC that a good school counsellor needs both qualifications.

“These people work with principals and deputies and fellow teachers,” Mr Mulheron said.

“They work on the child's literacy, numeracy and learning needs, as well as their emotional wellbeing.

“I was a principal for 10 years and the school counsellor was invaluable in that role, working alongside teachers as a fellow teacher.”

Mr Piccoli said the union was only trying to increase its own membership.

“When a person has a teaching qualification, they must belong to the teacher's federation,” Mr Piccoli said.

“Without that qualification the union no longer has a handle on that particular person.

“So this is about union membership more than education.”

Mr Mulheron says the Government is not listening.

“The Federation has attempted to negotiate with the department for some time and we have not got anywhere,” Mr Mulheron said.

“They have moved unilaterally without any negotiated settlement, so we're taking the department to the Industrial Relations Commission saying they are in breach of the award.”

The Industrial Relations Commission is reportedly aware of the dispute.