Course Overview

About This Course

The Bachelor of Psychology and Counselling is Cairnmillar's TEQSA-accredited double major undergraduate degree, designed to get students workplace-ready in just three years. The curriculum focuses solely on mental health, so students only study units directly relevant to a future career in counselling or psychology.

Graduates are eligible to work as a counsellor immediately after completing the three-year program and/or apply for postgraduate study in psychology, putting them on a pathway toward general registration as a psychologist. The course provides a unique synthesis of the science-practitioner and reflective-practitioner models, drawing on a trauma-informed, person-centred perspective throughout.

Students explore counselling and psychological theories, human development across the lifespan, social psychology, and foundational principles in cognition and neuroscience, while developing skills in assessment, intervention and treatment planning. The curriculum also covers health psychology, organisational behaviour and group facilitation skills.

In the final year, students undertake a counselling placement including at least 40 hours of direct client experience. All teaching staff are experienced practitioners and researchers actively advancing the fields of psychology and counselling.

Where You Can Study

Available Locations

Melbourne

391-393 Tooronga Road, Hawthorn East, VIC 3123

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Eligibility

Entry Requirements

General Requirements

Domestic:

Applications submitted through VTAC for current Year 12 students and domestic non-Year 12 students.
School leavers require a minimum ATAR of 60.
Mature-aged applicants (21+) without an ATAR must demonstrate capacity for Bachelor-level (AQF 7) study via completion of Year 12 (or equivalent) or appropriate work experience.
Candidates may also be considered with STAT (Special Tertiary Admissions Test) results.
Required documentation: most recent academic transcript(s), CV/resume, proof of residency/citizenship (passport, birth certificate or citizenship certificate).
Shortlisted applicants attend a short online interview with the Course Coordinator.

International:

Same core admission pathways as domestic applicants (ATAR or mature-age entry).
Must meet AHPRA English standards, or provide IELTS with a minimum score of 6.0 in each component and an overall band score of 6.5 (alternative English proficiency tests accepted).
See the International Students page for further application requirements and support.

Career & Study Pathways

Where this takes you

Career Opportunities

Administration
Advertising
Business
Community services (e.g., child protection)
Counselling
Government and policy development
Human rights and advocacy
Media
Public relations
Publishing
Research
Pathway to PACFA membership/ARCAP registration as a professional counsellor (pending accreditation)
Pathway to APAC-accredited fourth-year psychology programs (e.g., Honours) toward general registration as a psychologist (additional study required)
Automatic entry to Cairnmillar's Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) for students who achieve a 70 average in the psychology major (PSY) units

Quality & Recognition

Accreditation & Migration

Academic Regulator

TEQSA

Professional Body

Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC)

Accreditation Status

Accredited

Skills Assessor

Australian Psychological Society (APS)

Course Content

Units of Competency

All Units23 units

PSY101

Foundations of Psychology

PSY102

Research Methodology and Statistics I

CAP101

Counselling Theories and Models

PCN101

Development Across the Lifespan

PSY103

Behavioural Psychology and Learning

PSY104

Cognitive Psychology

CAP102

Foundations of Person-Centred Counselling

PCN102

Ethical Paradigms and Philosophy

PSY201

Social Psychology

CAP201

Foundations of CBT

PCN201

Psychopathology and Mental Health

PSY202

Research Methodology and Statistics II

PSY204

Personality

CAP202

Assessment and Case Conceptualisation

PCN202

Practical Skills for Group Facilitation

CAP301

Working with Children and Adolescents

CAP302

Trauma-Informed Practice

PSY302

Research Methodology and Statistics II

CAP360

Counselling Placement Preparation

PSY301

Neuroscience

PCN301

Interdisciplinary Approaches for Mental Health

PCN302

Research Capstone

CAP361

Counselling Placement 1

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does the Bachelor of Psychology and Counselling take to complete?

The Bachelor of Psychology and Counselling at The Cairnmillar Institute has a duration of 156 weeks, as registered on CRICOS.

Is there a work placement component in this course?

Yes, the course includes a work component of 7.5 hours per week over 14 weeks, totalling 105 hours of work-based learning.

How much does the Bachelor of Psychology and Counselling cost for international students?

The estimated total course cost for international students is AU$77,616 in tuition fees, with no additional non-tuition fees listed.

Where is the Bachelor of Psychology and Counselling delivered?

The course is delivered at The Cairnmillar Institute's location in Hawthorn, Victoria, at 391-393 Tooronga Road, Hawthorn East, VIC 3123. The location is owned and operated by the provider.

Is this course eligible for extended Post-Study Work Rights?

This course may be eligible for extended Post-Study Work Rights as it is a Skills Level 1 qualification (Bachelor Degree), has a duration greater than 92 weeks, and falls within the Behavioural Science (Psychology) narrow field of education. Eligibility is reviewed yearly and requires at least one active enrolment at the time of review.

Application

How to Apply

Three simple steps to get enrolled

Step 01

Enquire

Click "Enquire Now" and tell us a little about yourself. It's free and takes 2 minutes.

Step 02

Submit Documents

Our team will guide you on exactly which documents to prepare and submit.

Step 03

Get Enrolled

Receive your offer letter and confirm your enrolment. Welcome to the course!

Course Snapshot

Salary, careers & skills

Typical Salary

Entry-level (0-2 years)AUD $60,000 to $75,000 per year

Early Career (2-5 years)AUD $75,000 to $90,000 per year

Mid-Level (5-10 years)AUD $90,000 to $105,000 per year

Career Paths

Mental Health CounsellorYouth Counsellor / School CounsellorFamily and Relationship CounsellorDrug and Alcohol Counsellor (AOD Counsellor)Trauma Counsellor

Key Skills

Active listening and reflective communicationBuilding therapeutic rapport and trust with clientsApplying counselling theories and frameworks (CBT, person-centred, psychodynamic, narrative)Crisis intervention and risk assessmentTrauma-informed and culturally safe practice

Full Course Overview

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