Mr Anderson said he was aware of a shortage, but that positions were being advertised.

In a statement to The Leader, the Department of Education and Communities said all local schools had access to the counsellors.

"I think it is a concern that we don't have many counsellors at the moment, but that's like a lot of professions,” Mr Anderson said.

"The school environment is a different one than what it was 10,15 or 20 years ago.

“You've got teachers who are counsellors, dietitians, part time carers, or teachers.

"They put a child in front of them and quite often you hear stories where a teacher will go and buy food for a little one that doesn't have the right food for the day because of the environment they live in.

"We need to ensure that the school environment meets the needs of today's requirement and counsellors are a major part of that.”

Mr Anderson said there was also scope to give teachers the opportunity to retrain and learn skills to become counsellors within the region, labeling it a “homegrown workforce.”

A Department of Education spokesman said the number of counselling positions in schools had actually increased in the last year.

“236 additional counselling positions were created across the state, including in Tamworth and the north west,” he said.

"All local public school students currently have access to school counsellors. Recruitment is continuing and students’ access is further improved as new professionals are appointed.

"More than 500 graduate scholarships will boost the further recruitment of school counsellors and wellbeing officers."