Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Does aifc offer other services apart from being a Registered Training Organisation offering accredited courses in counselling?

Yes! aifc has three branches, Equip, Train and Abound. 

Equip.   Personal and Professional Development.  For Life; Short courses and professional development to refresh your skills, progress towards an accreditation or simply to become more equipped in your workplace.

Train.   Your pathway to becoming an accredited Christian counsellor; Be prepared and trained for your vocation through our complete professional counselling pathway.

Abound.  Your virtual counselling practice; All your counselling business and workflow management now in the palm of your hands.

Contact us to find out more about any of these three areas.

How many hours per week are needed to complete the accredited courses?

This will vary depending on your work and previous study experiences.  Generally, you could expect to spend the following approximate hours for coursework during the 40 weeks of the course each year.

• Diploma Full-Time (12 months) 30 hours per week
• Diploma Part-Time (24 months) 15 hours per week
• Graduate Diploma Full-Time (12 months) 35 hours per week
• Graduate Diploma Full-Time (18 months) 20 hours per week

This is made up of course contact hours, reading, practicing skills, working on assessment tasks and other items.

Students who have little or no post-secondary school training experience may need to spend more time initially to develop their reading and study skills.  As students become more familiar with the requirements and expectations of the course load, things will get easier and faster.  Our staff are available to discuss other flexible options should the load become a burden.

Do I have to come to classes every week? How much flexibility is there?

Students have the option of completing all of their training with aifc, online, or they may choose to complement and supplement their online training activities with the highly recommended seminar days, occurring for one Friday and Saturday, of each term, providing a blended learning experience.

Our online systems and processes enable students to study online from anywhere in the world, with a reliable high-speed internet connection.  Through the use of video conferencing and learner management platforms, students receive online training lectures, support from staff, and connection with other students to complete practical assessment requirements in an effective, practical manner.

The two-day seminar blocks are offered through a combination of online and in four major capital cities across Australia, over a Friday and Saturday, once a term.  Students have a monitory percentage of seminar days they
need to attend deepening on their course, where they can participate in value-add experiences to complement and supplement their other training activities.

Assessment tasks have set due dates for submission but these are spread throughout the term to help ensure the workload is manageable for students to maintain.

Can someone who hasn’t studied for years still complete the course?

Absolutely, it is certainly possible.  We have had a number of students who have been out of touch with studies but we able to competently complete the course work.  The Student Handbook, available on this website and provided to new students, explains what students need to know.  Also, our friendly training and assessing staff are there to assist you in understanding the task requirements of the courses.

Can someone with a very demanding job and many other commitments complete the course?

Each term begins with an online teaching week where students can attend online lectures for their units.  There are options to attend at different times of the day, but if unable to attend students can watch recordings of the lectures at a convenient time.  These activities create flexibility for the students.

This means it is possible for students to carry on with their vocation whilst attaining counselling competence. In the past, students have managed their other commitments, including full-time employment, whilst completing the course.

Students, however, do need to allow enough time to do justice to their assessment work and set aside enough time each week to complete course requirements.  Consideration should be given by students as to what additional demands they take on, and how they can prioritise their time to satisfactorily complete the course without inflicting stress on themselves or other commitments.

How do I enrol?

Just click on the ‘Enrol’ button on the top right of our homepage during our enrolment season.  This will take you directly to our online enrolment system.

Enrolments usually open in mid-September and mid-April for our two annual intakes.

You can find out more about our courses at any time of year by booking a Course Advisory Session with one of our staff.  ‘Book a Course Advisory Session’ buttons are throughout our website.

Will I receive a certificate?

Yes, if you competently complete all the requirements of an accredited course, you will receive a nationally recognised certificate for the completed qualification.

If you satisfactorily complete parts of a qualification, you will receive a Statement of Attainment for the units you have successfully completed.

How do I get access to counselling practice throughout the course?

No formal placement blocks are required for students in the Diploma or Graduate Diploma courses.

At the diploma level, students will practice counselling skills with a peer (learning partner) from within the course, or others working from a presented scenario.

During the Graduate Diploma, students are sometimes provided with students from other courses to be clients however they are also required to source clients with whom they need to complete some counselling sessions.  Students may choose to find clients through their own networks or establish themselves with volunteer or paid placement.

What sort of work opportunities may be available tor me on completion of these courses?  What careers will I be equipped for?

aifc graduates are amongst the most employable in the industry, with accreditation from the major Associations, the Australian Counselling Association (ACA), the Christian Counsellors Association of Australia (CCAA), combined with a strong emphasis on Christian theology and the best therapies available in psychological research.

aifc graduates are equipped for work in a Christian and secular context. The training will enable you to build on your skills to support your current vocation.

Here are some of the vocational options you may consider:

• Counsellor
• Pastoral Care
• Youth Work
• Chaplaincy (in schools, prisons, Defence Force etc)

Private Practice Counsellor Or Counsellor or Support Worker in a range of organisations such as:

• Family support services
• Women’s health centres
• Not-for-profit ministries/organisations
• Government agencies
• Sexual or Community health services
• Refugee support services
• Indigenous community service organisations