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Are you good at listening to people and do you want to make a positive impact on their lives? Take the next step in your professional development and become a qualified counsellor with our online counselling and psychology courses.

You can study for a Diploma or Advanced Diploma. Both options give you the chance to interact with and learn from highly successful and extensively qualified professionals. And when you graduate, you’ll have the opportunity to enter a fast-growing, rewarding profession.

Explore our course breakdown below or enrol now to get started.

  • Course Outline

    When you enrol on our online counselling and psychology courses, you will complete the following units of study:

    1COUNSELLING SKILLS I
    • Learning Specific Skills
    • Listening & Bonding
    • Reflection
    • Questioning
    • Interview Techniques
    • Changing Beliefs and Normalising
    • Finding Solutions
    • Ending the Counselling
    2COUNSELLING SKILLS II
    • The counselling session
    • Focus on the present
    • Telephone counselling
    • Dealing with crises
    • Problem-solving techniques I: Aggression
    • Problem-solving techniques II: Depression
    • Problem-solving techniques III: Grief and loss
    • Problem-solving techniques IV: Suicide
    3COUNSELLING TECHNIQUES
    • Psychoanalytic psychotherapy l – Freud, Erikson, Jung
    • Psychoanalytical psychotherapy ll – Adler
    • Humanistic/Existential approaches I – Gestalt Therapy; Fritz Perls
    • Humanistic/Existential approaches II – Person-Centred Counselling; Carl Rogers
    • Rational behavioural therapy – Albert Ellis
    • Cognitive behavioural therapy – Aaron Beck
    • Behavioural therapy
    • Solution-focused counselling
    4INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY
    • The Nature and Scope of Psychology
    • Neurological basis of behaviour
    • Environmental effects on behaviour
    • Consciousness and perception
    • Personality
    • Psychological development
    • Needs, drives and motivation
    5PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE IN COUNSELLING
    • Understanding counselling
    • Ethics and Confidentiality
    • Understanding the self
    • Personality
    • Emotions and Behaviour
    • Supervision
    • Referral practice

    Note that because counselling and psychology is directed at serving the needs of individuals in one’s community, our programmes require a minimal amount of social engagement (surveys, questionnaires, role play, etc) in aid of learning.

  • How Will You Benefit?

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    There are many benefits associated with studying our counselling and psychology courses online. For example, you will:

    • Fast track your career as a counsellor
    • Access learning materials and assessments developed in consultation with senior members of the counselling and psychology profession
    • Study at your own pace, meaning you can fit our online counselling courses around work, family and other commitments
    • Access expert advice and guidance from a qualified personal tutor
    • Save time and money thanks to the remote learning format of the courses
    • Have the option of paying upfront for a 10% reduction in fee, or choosing our interest-free weekly payment plan

    Discover the benefits for yourself by enrolling on our counselling courses online today!

  • Watch Our Course Video

  • Career Prospects

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    Counselling is a fast-growing industry. Figures from the Bureau of Statistics suggest that employment of specialists including relationship therapists and mental health counsellors will be 23% higher in 2030 than it was in 2020. This means you can expect your skills to be in considerable demand.

    You may decide to seek employment within an existing organisation or practice, or go it alone and set up your own practice. The choice is yours.

    What is a counsellor?

    Counsellors work with clients who are experiencing a variety of psychological and emotional difficulties, helping them to improve their wellbeing and bring about positive change. As a counsellor, you may work with clients affected by issues ranging from anxiety and depression to stress, bereavement, substance abuse and relationship problems. You may hold sessions with individuals or groups, depending on the type of counselling you decide to specialise in.

    Other career options

    As well as counselling, the skill set you acquire through this Diploma or Advanced Diploma will make you suitable for positions in a range of areas, including welfare and social work, sports coaching, education, life coaching, rehabilitation, personal training, marketing, management and industrial relations.

  • Course Levels Explained

    Our counselling and psychology courses lead to the awarding of either a Diploma or Advanced Diploma, depending on which level you enrol at. The different levels are determined by the amount of course content and assessments involved within each module at the intermediate (Diploma) and advanced (Advanced Diploma) levels. Learn more about the differences between the two levels below:

    Diploma

    Qualifications recognise the graduates capacity for initiative and judgment across a broad range of technical and management functions. Diploma holders typically have personal responsibility and autonomy (semi-independence) in performing technical operations or organizing others in the workplace.

    Advanced Diploma

    The graduate is able to apply a significant range of principles and techniques across various contexts and functions. Graduates can expect to be involved in significant judgments, planning, and leadership/guidance functions related to workplace products, services, operations or procedures.

  • Prerequisites

    There are NO previous employment or educational requirements to enter into either course level. You can enrol directly into the Diploma or Advanced Diploma without having previous qualifications.

    Note that you can expect higher course levels to result in a higher potential salary, positions and skill capabilities.

  • Course Length

    The average time within which students complete studies is:

    Diploma Level24 weeks
    Advanced Diploma Level31 weeks

    Studying a counselling and psychology course online with ICI allows you to work at your own pace with no assignment deadlines. This means that you determine how long it takes you to complete your learning programme.

    If you want to finish the course quickly, you can fast track and graduate in a matter of months. Alternatively, you can take things slower. The maximum time we allow for you to complete our counselling and psychology courses is three years.

  • Study Mode: Online Learning

    Our counselling and psychology courses are carried out remotely via distance learning. Also known as correspondence learning, this approach is ideal if you need to fit your studies around family, work or other commitments. It also means you can learn whenever and wherever you wish, and it gives you full control over your schedule. Another benefit of this style of learning is that it saves you time and money by removing the need to travel to attend in-person classes.

    As well as offering a convenient way to advance your career, our counselling and psychology courses are designed to be highly engaging and relevant.

  • Recognition & Accreditation

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    This course is recognised and accredited by the International Association of Private Career Colleges (IAPCC) and the International Approval and Registration Centre (IARC). ICI courses are not AQF qualifications. ICI is an independent global awarding body that develops and administers career-related curriculum and training programs. When you graduate from an ICI training program you join ICI graduates in over one hundred and fifty countries around the world.

    The courses offered by ICI are written by industry professionals and will assist in fast-tracking you into the new career of your choice.


    ICI is a CMA College Member and is found on the Complementary Medical Association’s Register of Education Providers. ICI has met the expectations of this global organization which represents more than 100 colleges and 15,000 practitioners in the field. (Relevant to: Counselling, Natural Health, Nutrition and Massage courses offered by ICI).


    ICI is recognized by Accredited Counsellors, Coaches, Psychotherapists, and Hypnotherapists (ACCPH). ACCPH is an independent professional body and register for people in the counselling and psychology professions.

  • Already in the Profession or Industry?

    Already working in health and fitness, or even as a counsellor or psychologist? This course is for you. It provides a great opportunity to consolidate your knowledge, update your professional skills and advance your career development. It is one of the most practical steps you can take towards gaining a promotion. It can also give you added confidence in your work.

    You can claim course fees as a tax deduction as long as the learning programme is sufficiently connected to your work activities.

  • What Do I Get?

    All the materials you need to complete our online counselling courses are included in the course fee. When you enrol, you will receive:

    • All required study materials and course notes
    • Assignment projects with constructive tutor feedback
    • A tutor who will answer all your course and career questions and provide guidance.

    Upon successful completion of the course, you will receive:
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    • A graduation certificate officially recognising your completion of the course and qualifications as a counsellor
    • Transcripts indicating the units completed
    • A letter of recommendation and validation for current and future employers
    • Post-nominal letters placed after your name which indicate that you hold the relevant qualification (for example: John Smith, DipCouns)
    • Job search assistance: discover more about our Graduate Career Services Programme
  • Cut Off Date

    Friday, 6th October 2023 is the next enrolment cut off date. Places are limited, in demand and entry into the course is on a first come first served basis.

    Your enrolment is processed and acknowledged within 24 hours of the Institute receiving your application. You can expect to receive your course within days of enrolling. When you start your ICI course it’s at your own pace and you determine when you finish. Don’t miss out. Enrol today!

Course Investment & Payment Plans

Select diploma level to see payment options Click on the below menu to select your preferred course level.

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One off payment
$1,450
Course Level
DIPLOMA
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Weekly Instalment Plan
$49 x 32 weeks
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$1,611
Course Level
DIPLOMA
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How do I get started?

Click on one of the Enrol Now buttons above and you could be working on your first lesson – and towards a new career as a counsellor – in a matter of days!

How Does Online Studying Work?

As an ICI student, you’ll be able to train at home in your spare time, learning in the easiest possible way. There are no classes or lectures to attend, and no need to leave your job or change your schedule.

How does it work?
Enrol, Study at Home, and Graduate

ICI is committed to the successful completion of your course. The typical ICI student experience goes like this:

  1. The Enrolment Process
  2. Begin Your Studies
  3. Getting Help When You Need It
  4. Getting Assessed
  5. Graduation
1The Enrolment Process

Select the course that interests you. The International Career Institute website offers course overviews, course outlines, course fees, student testimonials, and information on career services for graduates.

When you are ready to enrol in a program, simply complete the online enrolment form, or call our toll-free number to speak with an enrolment adviser.

2Begin Your Studies

On enrolment students receive a welcome email and letter with instructions on how to login into your course and access your course and tutorial support. You will not be required to purchase any further materials. Courses are divided into modules with assessments located at the end of these modules. Assessments (written assignments) are based on what you have been learning about. No exams are involved.

Study at your own pace

One of the many great benefits of our courses is their modular format creates an easier and more effective way for you to learn. And with no need to follow a fixed timetable, you get to study and submit assignment for each module at your own pace.

3Getting Help When You Need It

Your courses are designed so that you can study independently. However, if you have a question about anything in your course, just contact one of our industry based tutors. Contact details are provided in your welcome email and letter. Your tutors are industry professionals who are ready to answer any questions about the course, assessments and industry for which you are training for.

4Get Assessed

At the end of modules you are asked to complete assignments. With no fixed assessment dates ICI students can submit their assessments at any time. This allows students to progress through the course at a pace that suits their needs. Assignments can be submitted via the student portal or email directly to the tutor.

Your assignments and projects will be graded on the following scale:

Grading scale
Lesson Grade (%)Letter EquivalentRating
100 - 80AOutstanding level of achievement
79 - 60BHigh level of achievement
59 - 50CSatisfactory level of achievement
49 - 40DMarginal level of achievement
0 - 39FFailed to complete course requirements

You must pass all modules and achieve a minimum of a C or higher in all studies to graduate. Should you not pass an assignment you are able to retake assessments as many times as you need (free of charge) in order to improve your results. Full tutorial support is available to guide you towards successfully completing your course.

5Graduation

Graduates of the Institute are eligible for assistance under the Graduate Career Services Program which includes assistance in job searches (by career and region), preparing cover letters, tips on interviewing, and much more. As part of your graduation package, we offer a Certified Professional Resume Writer free of charge to help you compose your resume. All graduates receive a certificate of completion at the relevant level (Certificate, Diploma or Advanced Diploma / Executive Diploma), transcripts and a letter of recommendation.