Master of Counselling for International Students
CRICOS Course Code 112554A
International Students
AIPC's Master of Counselling welcomes international students from any undergraduate discipline, preparing you to become a Registered Counsellor with career opportunities here in Australia or back home. Delivered on-campus in Melbourne and Perth through Acknowledge Education, and accredited by the Australian Counselling Association, it equips you to make a genuine difference in areas from grief and trauma to mental health and family support.
You don’t need a bachelor’s degree in counselling or psychology to train as a counsellor in Australia. We accept graduates of any discipline into our Master of Counselling for International Students, which makes it a direct postgraduate pathway if you want to change careers.
You’ll choose between our Melbourne and Perth campuses, then spend your weeks there practising counselling skills in person with your tutors and the classmates you’ll get to know well. You can complete the course in 24 months of full-time, on-campus study.
You’ll put your classroom learning into practice during a 168-hour supervised placement. Along the way, you’ll choose electives in the areas that interest you the most, like trauma, family therapy, addiction and grief. The Australian Counselling Association accredits the course and you’ll be eligible to apply for ACA membership after you graduate.
Moving overseas brings plenty to organise. Our international student support team can help you settle into studying in Australia.
At AIPC, we specialise in counselling and related education and we’d love to help you take the next step. Whatever your previous field of study, you’ll build practical skills to support people through life’s challenges. Enquire now and our international admissions team will take you through what you’ll need for your application.
You can apply for entry to the Master of Counselling course if you have successfully completed an undergraduate (Bachelor) degree in any field. You will need to provide evidence from within the previous two years of one of the following:
IELTS: achievement of an Overall Band Score of 6.5 in the Academic IELTS with a minimum of 6.0 in each sub-band (International English Language Testing System).
TOETL (iBT): Achievement of a Total Score of 82 or above
PTE Academic: Overall score of 58 with minimum score of 50 for each subskill
Cambridge English Scale: Overall score of 176, no less than 169 in any paper
Alternatively, if you are a citizen of a country where English is the official language, you will need to provide evidence you have successfully undertaken at least one year (full-time or equivalent) of Year 12 education or higher in English at a recognised institution in the national education system.
You also satisfy the English Language Requirements if you have completed at least a Certificate IV-level qualification in Australia.
The Master of Counselling has attained industry accreditation through the Australian Counselling Association (ACA). ACA is the leading industry body for Counsellors in Australia. Upon graduation, you automatically qualify for membership to the ACA.
The ACA has formal affiliations with associations across the world, and is a founding member of the Asia Pacific Rim Confederation of Counsellors.
Each subject is A$3,090. Total tuition fee is A$43,260.
A trimester has a full-time study load of 4 subjects.
New students pay 50% of the first trimester fee upon acceptance of place, and 50% before the end of the 2nd week of their first trimester.
Our Student Support Centres are located in:
Brisbane
Sunshine Coast
Gold Coast & Northern Rivers
Sydney
Melbourne
Adelaide
Perth
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Why study our Master of Counselling
Our Master of Counselling provides a supported and practical opportunity to become a registered Counsellor in Australia.
Graduate Job Ready
When you graduate, you will be very well prepared to pursue a career in counselling, either in Australia or your home country.
Very Practical
You have the opportunity to apply your newly found counselling skills in supported learning environments under the tutorship of AIPC’s highly qualified and experienced academic staff.
Counselling education specialists
We believe you're better off learning from a specialist than a generalist. Many training providers deliver courses across a variety of industries. At AIPC, we prefer to concentrate on counselling and community services education.
Supported Learning
Our support and communications systems have been developed to ensure your wellbeing and study success as an international student with AIPC.
Graduate Job Ready
When you graduate, you will be very well prepared to pursue a career in counselling, either in Australia or your home country.
Very Practical
You have the opportunity to apply your newly found counselling skills in supported learning environments under the tutorship of AIPC’s highly qualified and experienced academic staff.
Counselling education specialists
We believe you're better off learning from a specialist than a generalist. Many training providers deliver courses across a variety of industries. At AIPC, we prefer to concentrate on counselling and community services education.
Supported Learning
Our support and communications systems have been developed to ensure your wellbeing and study success as an international student with AIPC.
Course Outline
Prerequisite: NIL, EFTSL: 0.125
This subject introduces students to counselling as a profession. Students will learn about the development of the counselling profession, its relationship to other professions and its future directions. The subject introduces students to a trans-theoretical counselling framework and includes topics such as characteristics of effective counsellors; the role of the therapeutic relationship and therapeutic techniques in facilitating client outcomes; counselling in a culturally diverse society, and ethical issues in counselling practice.
Prerequisite: NIL, EFTSL: 0.125
This subject focuses on stages of counselling that are common across therapeutic approaches, including the development of the therapeutic relationship; clarifying concerns; goal-setting; applying techniques and interventions, termination and evaluation. Students reflect upon and analyse the effect of the counsellor’s Self on the counselling process and apply their knowledge of the stages of the counselling process in initial and final counselling session role-plays.
Prerequisite: NIL, EFTSL: 0.125
This subject focuses on stages of counselling that are common across therapeutic approaches, including the development of the therapeutic relationship; clarifying concerns; goal-setting; applying techniques and interventions, termination and evaluation. Students reflect upon and analyse the effect of the counsellor’s Self on the counselling process and apply their knowledge of the stages of the counselling process in initial and final counselling session role-plays.This unit introduces students to the foundational practical skills of counselling. Students will develop an understanding of the key therapeutic conditions required to facilitate change and the role counselling skills play in establishing and maintaining those conditions. Students will learn through direct teaching, demonstration and supervised practice and will demonstrate key skills and integrate these into a counselling session.
Prerequisite: NIL, EFTSL: 0.125
This subject introduces students to the ethical principles that inform counselling practice and ethical issues and dilemmas counsellors face. Students will reflect upon and analyse their own beliefs, values, attitudes and biases to understand how these may impact on their counselling practice. They will evaluate counselling scenarios to clarify and develop solutions to ethical dilemmas common in counselling practice, including those relating to confidentiality, client rights, dual relationships, and values conflicts.
Integral to this subject, students will develop reflective practice skills to assist in ongoing selfevaluation and personal and professional development. Students will also examine the role of supervision in ensuring ethical professional practice, and will learn skills involved in providing supervision to others.
Prerequisite: NIL, EFTSL: 0.125
This subject examines physical, cognitive, emotional, social and moral human development across the lifespan. Students will identify developmental issues that occur as part of normal human development, as well as issues that may occur when development is impaired or delayed. Students will evaluate various theories of development and apply these to case studies.
Prerequisite: MC02, MC03, EFTSL: 0.125
This subject provides students with an in-depth understanding of the theoretical foundations, concepts, processes and techniques of cognitive-behavioural counselling approaches. Students will learn to use these approaches in counselling sessions and will evaluate the differences between cognitive-behavioural approaches, including an analysis of the strengths, weaknesses and applications of each.
Prerequisite: MC02, MC03, EFTSL: 0.125
This subject provides students with an in-depth understanding of the theoretical foundations, concepts, processes and techniques of collaborative and competency-based counselling approaches. Students will learn to use these approaches in counselling sessions and will evaluate the differences between approaches, including an analysis of the strengths, weaknesses and applications of each.
Prerequisite: MC04, MC05, EFTSL: 0.125
In this subject, students learn the principles and skills of assessment and case conceptualisation. Students will distinguish issues suitable for counselling intervention from those requiring mental health or other interventions, and will learn to use assessment tools and methods appropriate for counselling settings. In addition students will be introduced to a case-conceptualisation framework and will learn to conceptualise cases and plan treatment from behavioural, cognitive, feminist, emotion-focused, dynamic, family, transtheoretical, and constructivist theoretical perspectives.
Prerequisite: MC04, EFTSL: 0.25
In this 12 credit subject, students will learn the role research plays in professional counselling practice and will examine the contributions counsellors can make to the generation of research. Students will review quantitative and qualitative research methods relevant to counselling practice, apply basic statistical procedures and interpret statistical information in counselling research. Particular attention will be paid to qualitative research designs such as narrative analysis and single-case studies, as students may use these when they undertake the capstone project in Semester 4.
Prerequisite: MC06, MC07, MC08, MC09, EFTSL: 0.25
This subject offers students the opportunity to gain experience with and exposure to practical counselling issues in a supervised counselling environment. Students will spend a total of 168 hours on placement, including 12 hours of agency supervision.
In conjunction with the counselling placement, the Capstone Project component of the subject allows students to synthesise and integrate knowledge and skills gained throughout the course into counselling practice. Students begin their Capstone Project by preparing a plan detailing how they will integrate course outcomes into both their placement activities and their professional lives on completion of their degree. Students then undertake projects which may relate to their placement (e.g., case study or service evaluation) or may address issues that affect the counselling industry in some way (e.g., develop and administer a survey regarding counsellor burnout).
Prerequisite: MC06, MC07, EFTSL: 0.125
This subject examines the effects of crisis and trauma on individuals and families. The relationship between stress, crisis and trauma is explored, and students learn interventions that address both the immediate and the longer term effects of traumatic events. Approaches suitable for diverse counselling populations are examined and the concept of vicarious traumatisation is addressed.
Prerequisite: MC06, MC07, EFTSL: 0.125
This subject introduces students to theoretical concepts and intervention strategies associated with contemporary family therapy. Students will gain knowledge and understanding in areas relating to family dynamics, diversity and develop specific skills to guide family therapy practice.
Prerequisite: MC06, MC07, EFTSL: 0.125
This subject focuses on the theory and practice of counselling with children and adolescents. Students will learn to respond appropriately to this client group as well as identify and address specific issues that may arise including behavioural problems, family conflict, self-harm, identity issues, abuse and violence, and school issues such as bullying. Ethical and legal issues are addressed in this unit, and students will learn appropriate responses to these.
Prerequisite: MC06, MC07, EFTSL: 0.125
This subject introduces students to theories of substance misuse and addiction, including intervention strategies to address addiction issues. Students will develop an understanding of the relationship between social, biological and psychological factors of addiction and will consider contextual and cultural factors in the development and maintenance of addictive patterns of behaviour. Motivational interviewing and primary, secondary and tertiary relapse prevention strategies will be covered.
Prerequisite: MC06, MC07, EFTSL: 0.125
This subject explores the experience of loss and grief and introduces students to conceptual models of the grieving process as well as counselling approaches to use with clients experiencing loss and grief. Students will learn to assess and respond appropriately to complicated and traumatic grief.
Prerequisite: MC06, MC07, EFTSL: 0.125
Students are introduced to the theory and practice of counselling with couples. Students will learn to critically analyse dynamics and issues in relationships, including those relating to conflict, violence and abuse. Students will be introduced to different therapeutic approaches and provided with the opportunity to develop relevant practical skills.
Prerequisite: MC06, MC07, EFTSL: 0.125
This subject introduces students to the use of digital technologies and online platforms to deliver effective and accessible counselling therapy. Fundamental counselling theories and techniques are examined and critiqued for online delivery and students will revisit key ethical concepts pertaining to boundaries, privacy and security. Opportunity will be provided for students to actively engage and practice online counselling skills.
Prerequisite: MC06, MC07, EFTSL: 0.125
This subject provides an insight into mental health conditions and their presentation in counselling. Students develop knowledge of indicators and support options for people with a variety of mental health issues and analyse case studies to identify support options and appropriate referral pathways. Using a recovery model and understanding of the lived experience, students will establish a framework for working with clients facing mental health challenges.
Below are the upcoming intake periods for the Master of Counselling.
Trimester | Commences | Census | Practical Workshops | End Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Trimester 1, 2026 | 2nd Mar 2026 | - | - | 18th Mar 2026 |
May Intake | 4th May 2026 | - | - | 26th Jul 2026 |
Trimester 2, 2026 | 6th Jul 2026 | - | - | 22nd Jul 2026 |
Trimester 3, 2026 | 2nd Nov 2026 | - | - | 18th Nov 2026 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, as long as it’s equivalent to an Australian Bachelor degree. We accept graduates of any discipline, including commerce, engineering, hospitality and the arts. You won’t need counselling experience either. Send your transcripts through with your application and our admissions team will confirm if your degree meets the requirement. Your English proficiency will be assessed separately, as you’ll need a test result from an accredited exam within the last two years unless you meet an exemption.
We accept four tests to demonstrate your English proficiency. Your results must come from within the last two years:
Academic IELTS: You need an overall band score of 6.5, with at least 6.0 in each sub-band.
TOEFL iBT: You need a total score of 82 or above.
PTE Academic: Your overall score needs to be 58 or more, with at least 50 in each skill.
Cambridge English Scale: We accept 176 overall or more, with no paper scoring below 169.
You can also meet the English language requirements without a test if you’ve studied for a year or more in English at Year 12 level or above in a country where English is the official language. Having completed an Australian qualification at Certificate IV level or higher also exempts you from having to submit an English test result.
You’ll do your placement during your second year, as part of the Counselling Placement and Capstone Project subject. It covers 168 hours in a supervised counselling service, including 12 hours of supervision with the agency itself. You’ll work on your Capstone Project at the same time, as your project may draw on your placement experience. By then, you’ll have finished all the counselling approaches, assessments and research subjects, so you’ll get there with skills you can put straight to use.
You can study the Master of Counselling for International Students on campus in Melbourne or Perth, where we deliver the course through Acknowledge Education. Classes are in person and you must study full-time to complete the Master in 24 months. Both cities also have a Student Support Centre, where you can handle anything to do with enrolment, study progress or payments. You’ll choose your city when you apply and stay there for the entire degree, including your second-year placement.
You’ll qualify for membership of the Australian Counselling Association as soon as you graduate, which gives you options to work in community health, family support services and private practice in Australia. The ACA also has formal affiliations with counselling associations around the world and helped found the Asia Pacific Rim Confederation of Counsellors. Those connections are useful if you plan to practise at home instead, however, it's best to confirm the professional requirements in the country where you plan to practise. Your electives let you explore areas such as trauma, family therapy, addiction and mental health.
Your visa, your English results, your choice of city and the two-year commitment are the main things to sort out. A student visa requires full-time study for the entire degree, so plan for full-time study and speak with our international student team before changing your study load. Your English test results must meet our admissions requirements and must come from within the previous two years when you apply.
Melbourne or Perth will then become your home for two years while you complete your studies and placement hours. You’ll need to plan for the practical side as well, like finding somewhere to live close to campus, your weekly living costs, opening a bank account and getting a local phone plan. Our international student support team can help you work through that list once you arrive.
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