Entry Requirements

• Be aged 18 years or over at the time of enrolment.
• Provide proof of identity, such as a certified copy of a driver’s licence or passport.
• All applicants must complete the aifc Pre-Enrolment Questionnaire, which includes a Language, Literacy, Numeracy and Digital (LLND) self-assessment.
  This process helps identify any areas where additional support may be required to ensure students are ready for online study.

Entry to this qualification is open to prospective learners who hold either nationally recognised training products or non-accredited courses including:

• hold a Diploma of Counselling or higher
• hold the non-accredited Certificate of Christian Coaching with the Australian Institute of Family Counselling

           And have a high level of language and literacy levels sufficient to:
                   ○  interpret documents and published articles
                   ○  communicate clearly 

• hold a Diploma of Youth Work or higher 
• hold a Diploma of Community Services or higher
• hold a Diploma of Alcohol and Other Drugs or higher 
• hold a Diploma of Mental Health or higher
• hold a Diploma of Financial Counselling or higher 
• hold a Diploma of Child, Youth, and Family Interventions or higher
• hold a Diploma in Coaching or higher

All students must have a valid Unique Student Identifier (USI) before enrolling in any nationally accredited qualification with aifc, as required by the Australian Government.

Student support and wellbeing
aifc is committed to supporting each student’s academic, personal and spiritual wellbeing throughout their study journey. Students are encouraged to inform aifc at the time of enrolment of any additional support needs, including:

• Learning or disability support (e.g. additional time for assessments, assistive technology)
• Cultural or language support
• Pastoral and wellbeing support, available through the aifc Student Services and Abound counselling network

Early disclosure enables aifc to provide appropriate reasonable adjustments and connect students with the right support services from the beginning of their course.

Technology and equipment requirements
Because this course is delivered online and includes recorded workplace-simulated counselling role-plays, students must have access to:

• a computer or laptop with word-processing software (e.g. Microsoft Word or Google Docs)
• a high-speed internet connection
• a webcam and microphone suitable for online classes and recording assessments
• a quiet and private environment for video participation and counselling simulations

Additional requirements for students applying for a VET Student Loan (VSL):

Applicants must also provide evidence of

• completion of Year 12, or
• evidence of a Certificate IV (or higher) qualification, or
• complete a formal LLN assessment demonstrating working at Level 4 / Exit Level 3 in Reading and Numeracy, as required under the VET Student Loans legislation.

Counselling Speciality Steam Electives

The 11207NAT Advanced Diploma of Integrative Practice consists of 12 units of competency and can be completed over 12 months full-time or 18 months part-time.

• 18 months = 2 units per term – approx. 20 hours per week
• 12 months = 3 units per term (2 x core & 1 x elective) – approx 30 – 32 hours per week.

All teaching is delivered online, with each unit including two 2-hour live classes at the beginning of each term to support your learning and engagement.

Assessment and Workplace Requirements

All assessment tasks are completed through aifc’s online learning platform and include a combination of written responses, case studies, and counselling sessions conducted with real external clients.

Students are responsible for sourcing and conducting counselling sessions with suitable clients as part of their course requirements. These sessions allow students to apply advanced counselling skills in real-world contexts under the guidance of their trainer and assessor.

While many assessment activities include workplace-simulated role plays, the Advanced Diploma also requires students to demonstrate competence through actual client work.

There is no formal external work placement requirement for this qualification; however, students must ensure they have access to appropriate clients and environments to complete their practical counselling assessments.

For Study Dates, see the drop-down menu under Train, Student Information.

The course is delivered Online, and we have face to face seminars twice in the year at the following locations:

Seminars are offered at the following locations:

Twice a year, aifc offers face to face seminars in these locations:

 NSW

Stanmore House
53 Harrow Road
Stanmore NSW 2048

  VIC

One Church
184 Surrey Rd,
Blackburn VIC 3130

 QLD

Springlife
178 Springwood Road
Springwood QLD 4127

 WA

Perth Bible College
1 College Court
Karrinyup WA 6018

* View & download more detailed information of 2024 Training Weeks and Census Dates.

At aifc, we believe that learning happens best when students are supported personally, academically, and spiritually. Throughout your study, you’ll have access to a wide range of services designed to help you succeed and flourish.

Academic and Study Support

Each student is allocated a qualified trainer and assessor who journeys with them academically and pastorally through each unit of study.

• One-on-one assistance from trainers and assessors is available throughout the course.
• Access to study skills resources, academic writing guidance, and structured feedback.
• Individualised support plans are available for students who need additional academic, learning, or wellbeing support.
• Extensions and reasonable adjustments may be provided where appropriate to ensure equitable participation.

Wellbeing and Pastoral Care

aifc provides a caring, faith-based environment that recognises the whole person.

• Students have access to free counselling sessions through trainee counsellors under supervision, or may choose to access support from Abound counsellors for confidential emotional and wellbeing support.
• Pastoral care is available through the Student Services team and Course Managers.
• Optional group sessions and community-building activities help foster connection and belonging throughout your study.
• Where needed, aifc can assist students in connecting with external support services for specialised care.

Disability, Cultural and Learning Support

If you have a disability, learning difference, or personal circumstances that may affect your studies, we encourage you to let us know early. This enables aifc to provide appropriate reasonable adjustments, develop individualised support plans, and connect you with the right resources to support your success.

The Quarter 1, 2025 course fees for the 11207NAT Advanced Diploma of Integrative Practice are $12,000.00. Click here to see a detailed breakdown of unit costs. Payment plans are available.

For a full breakdown of payment options, invoicing, and the cooling-off period, please refer to the Course Fees page.
For information regarding refunds, withdrawals, or deferrals, please refer to the Withdraw, Defer or Change Enrolment Process & Procedure.

There are no specific licensing requirements attached to this qualification.

However, graduates who already hold a CHC51015 Diploma of Counselling (or equivalent) are expected to maintain or obtain professional membership with either the Australian Counselling Association (ACA) or the Christian Counsellors Association of Australia (CCAA). Note that this cannot be student level. 

Professional membership ensures that graduates meet industry-recognised standards of ethical practice, supervision, and continuing professional development (CPD) required for practising counsellors in Australia.

Student who entre this course without the Diploma of Counselling are required to obtain Student Membership with either ACA or CCAA.