Master of Counselling and Psychotherapy

The Master of Counselling and Psychotherapy at The Cairnmillar Institute is a two-year coursework degree for people who want to work as counsellors and psychotherapists in Australia. You will study how people change, how distress develops, and how to work with clients in a way that is ethical and effective. Most of your learning happens in small classes, with a strong focus on practising skills rather than just reading about them. You will learn to conduct assessments, formulate cases, and deliver evidence-based treatments for common mental health issues like anxiety, depression, trauma, and relationship problems.

How the course is structured

As a master's degree, this course sits at AQF level 9. It is normally two years of full-time study, split into semesters or trimesters. You complete units of study, each worth a set number of credit points, and you need to pass all of them to graduate. There is usually a mix of core units in counselling theory, psychopathology, ethics, and research methods, plus electives where you can focus on areas like child and family work, trauma, or group therapy. Many master's courses also include a capstone project or a small research thesis, where you design and carry out your own study under supervision. You should check the official course page for the exact list of units and credit points.

Work-integrated learning and placement

Counselling and psychotherapy is a field where you learn by doing, so this course includes professional placement. You will spend a significant number of hours in a supervised setting, working with real clients under the guidance of an experienced practitioner. Placements can be in community health centres, schools, private practices, or mental health organisations. This is where you build confidence and start to develop your own professional style. The placement also counts towards the requirements for professional registration with bodies like PACFA or ACA, depending on your pathway. Confirm the placement hours and any additional requirements on the official page.

Who this course suits

This degree is for people who want a career in counselling and psychotherapy. You might be coming from a related undergraduate degree in psychology, social work, or a health field, or you might be changing careers and have relevant life experience. It suits people who are good listeners, who can handle emotional complexity, and who want to help others in a structured, evidence-based way. The course is also a pathway to further study, such as a PhD, if you are interested in research or academia. If you are an international student, you can work up to 48 hours per fortnight while studying, and after you graduate you may be eligible for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream. Always check the current visa rules with the Department of Home Affairs.

Tuition fees are published on the CRICOS register. The course code is 092969C. For exact fees, English language requirements, and intake dates, go to the official course page or the CRICOS website.

• Counsellor in community health centres, private practice, or non-profit organisations
• Psychotherapist working with individuals, couples, or families
• Mental health worker in hospitals, clinics, or outreach services
• School counsellor in primary or secondary schools (additional requirements may apply)
• Rehabilitation counsellor helping people adjust to injury or disability
• Case manager in social services or government agencies
• Program coordinator for mental health programmes in NGOs
• Private practitioner running your own counselling practice

Australian industries that hire graduates include health care and social assistance, education and training, government administration, and community services. Many graduates go on to register with professional bodies such as PACFA or ACA, which can open up more job opportunities and allow you to work in clinical settings.