BYRON BAY COURSE GUIDE
WELCOME FROM THE BYRON BAY CAMPUS MANAGER
Thank you for considering ACAP University College as a place to study and change your life and the lives of others.
At ACAP Byron Bay, we are passionate about providing personalised learning opportunities for all individuals. You can develop practical skills and knowledge, together with professional experience, to enhance your existing career, or help you build a completely new career!
There is no better time to study counselling in Byron Bay than now, with a projected increase in counselling jobs, making counselling a great future career choice.
Our local and national support teams will provide you with the necessary academic, professional, and personal support throughout your studies to achieve your goals.
Our campus, surrounded by lush gardens, has a great low-key vibe where you can choose to meet new friends/study buddies at one of our many campus events or social areas (garden café, student lounges, games area). You can find quiet areas to study in our learning centre and various study nooks.
I really look forward to meeting you on campus soon.
Ben Funnell Byron Bay Campus Manager
WHY CHOOSE ACAP UNIVERSITY COLLEGE?
At ACAP University College, we specialise in facilitating real-world experiences and imparting the practical and human skills you need for a successful career. When you study with us, you’ll grow as much personally as you will professionally thanks to our uniquely human-centred approach that puts you first.
Our specialist courses in counselling unlock opportunities for those starting out in the workforce, changing careers, enhancing existing qualifications, or pursuing a personal passion for helping others.
Applied learning in a class of its own
Our small class sizes mean you’ll quickly form strong bonds with your teachers and classmates. This closer interaction makes for a comfortable environment for exchanging ideas and exploring opinions, fostering an overall richer learning experience. It also allows teachers to give you more detailed and personal guidance.
On-campus or online - always hands-on
We understand you have a life outside of study, so we make it easy to work the way that suits you best. Therefore our courses are a mix of both on-campus and online classes. You can choose to study full-time or part-time in any of the three study trimesters (generally in February, June and September each year), depending on your chosen course.
Learn from the experts
You’ll be taught by highly-skilled academics and teachers who have significant industry experience as practising professionals, so what you learn will be highly-relevant and applicable in your career. We’re experts in applied education and are part of global education provider, Navitas. Since 1983, we have helped over 20,000 people to reach their goals and, importantly, enjoy the journey.
More than a qualification. Qualified for the job
Everything you learn with ACAP will be practical and applicable to real-life solutions, creating real-world change. You will have the opportunity to complete a professional work placement, where you’ll apply your knowledge, gain experience in your field, and build indsutry networks. When you graduate, you’ll have the expertise, practical skills and professional experience to forge a successful career and make a genuine difference in the lives of others.
Every voice is heard and respected
You’re encouraged to bring your true self to ACAP, and we’re active in creating a culture where you feel comfortable doing so. Our goal is for every voice to be heard and respected. Our philosophy is led by a passionate Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Steering Group which welcomes everyone’s involvement and feedback as we continue to evolve.
Since 1983, we have helped over 25,000 people to reach their goals and, importantly, enjoy the journey.
BYRON BAY ACAP CAMPUS
373-391 Ewingsdale Road, Byron Bay, NSW, 2481
ACAP’s Byron Bay campus, co-located with SAE University College, is on Ewingsdale Road, an easy ten-minute walk from Byron’s laidback but bustling town centre.
Byron has something for everyone, with world-class festivals, unique shopping, a buzzing music and arts scene and a growing world-class gourmet dining culture. The campus is nestled among some of Australia’s most beautiful beaches and surrounded by natural hinterland.
Transport
Cycle and walking tracks connect the campus to Byron Bay town centre. There is also a bus and plenty of onsite parking, for those who wish to drive.
Events
The Byron Bay campus has a great vibe with lots of opportunities to meet your fellow students. You can attend social events, wellness events, barbeques, trivia, soccer, meet and greet days, educational sessions (lunch and learn, lectures and industry expert Q&As) and community-based events.
What the campus has to offer
• Onsite café with great burgers, coffee, pastries and other mouth-watering delicacies.
• Modern training and lecture rooms.
• Plenty of outdoor spaces to relax in between classes, with picnic tables, beanbag chairs and a life-sized chess board.
• Independent and group study spaces.
• Kitchen facilities.
• On-campus learning centre with multiple study nooks.
• Enhanced Wi-Fi in all campus spaces.
• On-campus help: Student Engagement Team are accessible from the main foyer.
• Online support: Learning Hub, IT helpdesk, counselling support plus lots more.
A CAREER IN COUNSELLING REQUIRES A DEGREE OF EMPATHY
Our counselling courses in Byron Bay offer exciting prospects for school leavers, career changers, or anyone interested in acquiring counselling skills. We offer a flexible learning experience with classes being held on-campus and online, enabling students to better fit study into their busy lives.
Courses to study at ACAP University College Byron Bay
• Diploma of Counselling Skills
• Bachelor of Counselling
Discipline overview
Counselling is a process that helps individuals, couples, families and groups to navigate a wide range of issues in their personal and professional lives, like relationships, stress, addiction and loss. You’ll explore contemporary counselling strategies, gaining practical skills to support others and help them live a more positive life through human connection, empathy and deep understanding.
“Jump in and don’t be afraid. Don’t doubt yourself. Formal education after a long gap can be challenging, and imposter syndrome is natural but accept it for what it is.”
Scott Diploma of Counselling Skills, Byron Bay Campus
“The biggest surprise for me really has been the awesome friendships I have forged with my fellow students.”
Allegra Bachelor of Counselling, Byron Bay Campus
ATTEND AN INFO SESSION
Want to learn more about a specific course and the career opportunities you could have? Join an online or on campus information session to have all your questions answered. Visit acap.edu.au/events for more information.
DIPLOMA
OF COUNSELLING SKILLS
This higher education diploma course provides an introduction to the field of counselling with an emphasis on counselling skills, an understanding of the mental health system, and skills required to provide social and health support within the community. This course covers becoming a reflective practitioner, self-care and foundational counselling theories.
• On-campus in Byron Bay, Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and Adelaide.
• Online (specific units only).
Availability:
On-campus workshops are a mandatory component of this course.
Units: 8
Duration:
Admission Criteria:
One year full-time (3 trimesters) or part-time equivalent.
• Participate in a screening interview (online or by phone); and
• Be 21 years or above at the date of commencement; or
• Completion of a Senior Secondary Certificate of Education (or equivalent); or
• Completion of a Certificate IV or above (or equivalent); or
• Admission to an undergraduate degree at an Australian University (or equivalent).
FEE-HELP available: See page 14 for details
AQF Level: 5
Potential Career Options
• Community Worker
• Family Support Worker
• Disability Support Worker
Workload
ACAP University College recommends an average of 9-11 hours of study per unit, per week, made up of:
• 6 hours per week of self-directed study, online activities, assessment preparation, general research and reading, plus For on-campus delivery:
• 1 x 3 hour class weekly
For blended delivery:
• 6 x 1 hour live stream recorded lecture (fortnightly)
• 6 x 2 hour interactive tutorials (fortnightly)
• 6 consultation drop in sessions (fortnightly)
• 2 day on-campus workshop
For online delivery:
• 1 hour weekly recorded lecture
• 1 hour weekly consultation drop-in sessions
• Weekly online activities/interactions
Units
The following are a few of the typical units in this course:
• Professional Reflection and Self-Care
• Mental Health and Wellness
• Professions and Society Assessment
Assessment types vary for each unit and may consist of reports, formal essays, critical reflections, group work, practice sessions. Units will involve formative assessments, and the submission of two summative assessments.
Further study
Graduates of the Diploma of Counselling Skills can apply for admission into the Bachelor of Counselling, Bachelor of Social Work or Bachelor of Psychological Science and Counselling.
For a complete list of units, requirements and more information on this course, visit the course page.
BACHELOR OF COUNSELLING
The Bachelor of Counselling provides a comprehensive grounding in counselling frameworks and skills, ethical practice and cultural diversity. The course provides entry-level counselling training with a strong focus on reflective practice, mental health, trauma informed practice, counselling skills and theories.
• On-campus in Byron Bay (first year only), Sydney, Brisbane, Melboune, Adelaide and Perth.
Availability:
• Online (specific units only).
On-campus workshops are a mandatory component of this course.
Units: 24
Duration:
Admission Criteria:
3 years full-time (9 trimesters) or part-time equivalent.
• Participate in a screening interview (online or by phone); and
• Be 21 years or above at the date of commencement; or
• Completion of a Senior Secondary Certificate of Education (or equivalent); or
• Completion of a Certificate IV or above (or equivalent); or
• Admission to an undergraduate degree at an Australian University (or equivalent).
It is a condition of progression in this course that students complete a police record check prior to enrolment into the second unit of study.
FEE-HELP available: See page 14 for details
AQF Level: 7
Potential Career Options
• Child Protection Officer
• Addictive Behaviour Counsellor
• Grief and Bereavement Counsellor
• Crisis Support Worker
• Trauma Counsellor
Workload
ACAP University College recommends an average of 9-11 hours of study per unit, per week, made up of:
• 6 hours per week of self-directed study, online activities, assessment preparation, general research and reading
For on-campus delivery:
• 1 x 3 hour class
For blended delivery:
• 1 x 1 hour live stream recorded lecture (fortnightly)
• 6 x 2 hour interactive tutorials (fortnightly)
• 6 consultation drop in sessions (fortnightly)
• 2 day on-campus workshop
For online delivery:
• 1 hour weekly recorded lecture
• 1 hour weekly consultation drop-in sessions
• Weekly online activities/interactions
Units
The following are a few of the typical units in this course:
• Professional Reflection and Self-Care
• Mental Health and Wellness
• Counselling Skills Training
Assessment
Assessment types vary for each unit and may include reports, formal essays, critical reflections, group work, practice sessions and supervised work placements.
Volunteering and Placement
Volunteering: To meet industry requirements, students are required to undertake 90 hours of volunteering which is completed before placement in the final year, and 50 hours of a service learning project in a community group as part of a core unit.
Placement: In their final year of study, students must complete one 200 hour student placement with 40 hours of face-to-face client counselling. Students attend placement one – two days per week, across two ACAP trimesters.
Further study
Graduates of the Bachelor of Counselling are eligible for direct entry into the Master of Counselling and Psychotherapy or Master of Social Work (Qualifying).
Interested in Coaching?
You can undertake the International Coach Federation (ICF) accredited units available in this course to focus your studies on coaching.
Professional Recognition
This course is fully accredited by the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA) and the Australian Counselling Association (ACA). The coaching units in this course are accredited by the International Coach Federation (ICF).
MORE INFORMATION
For a complete list of units, requirements and more information on this course, visit the course page.
YOUR SUPPORT TEAMS
Whether you choose to study on-campus, online or with blended delivery, we’ll work together to keep you on track for success. The ACAP University College community is friendly, nurturing and warm. From your first enquiry to graduation day, we want you to feel completely connected and supported.
Course Advisory
Our Course Advisors are here to help you every step of your ACAP journey; from deciding whether to begin studying, through to creating a program that will suit your goals and fit your lifestyle. They’re here to talk through options and find the best course for you.
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
Social justice and inclusion are at the core of what we do at ACAP. Our Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Steering Group is active in its work to make sure each student feels comfortable bringing their whole selves to College. They provide leadership, support and encouragement to ensure fairness in our day to day operations, so that you’re supported, included and happy.
Learning Hub
Orientation
We run orientation at the start of each trimester and when you enrol, you’ll be invited to join. It’s a great opportunity for us to get to know each other and you’ll be able to meet staff, teachers and fellow students. We also run an online version of orientation for those who can’t make it to campus.
Personal Support
Studying is exciting, but we do understand that it can also create personal pressure when combined with other commitments. If you feel you’d benefit from some confidential support at any stage in your studies, our Student Support Counsellors can help with counselling, referrals and liaising with College staff (with your permission).
ACAP’s Learning Hub is designed to help students thrive academically, no matter how much knowledge or previous experience you have. It provides a wealth of online resources available round the clock, personalised webinars, friendly advisors, and an option for support should students have a disability or neurodiversity that affects their academic studies. Students can also collaborate with experienced student peers through the Peer Assisted Study Sessions (PASS). These vital resources are available at the ACAP Student Hub.
STUDENT PLACEMENT
ACAP University College has an excellent industry reputation for producing work-ready graduates. Student placement is your opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of how your classroom learnings apply in the real-world, helping you decide on your professional pathway and what you can expect on the job. ACAP works with more than 600 reputable placement providers around Australia.
What is student placement?
Student placement is a period of structured, unpaid work experience. You’ll gain on-the-job experience in workplaces and roles that may be available to you after graduation.
Will I have to do a student placement?
Some ACAP courses have compulsory student placement as part of the curriculum. All placements have strict requirements which must be met to successfully complete the placement.
Why is it important?
Work placement opportunities allow students to experience their chosen profession in a real-world setting, learn from seasoned experts working in the industry, and build important professional connections.
Who organises the placement?
As ACAP has connections to many respected organisations across Australia, we can help you secure a placement that matches your professional interests and will broaden your experience in your chosen field.
HOW TO APPLY FOR A COURSE AT ACAP UNIVERSITY COLLEGE
Step 1 Step 2 Step 3
• Check each course page on the ACAP website for admissions criteria information.
• Go to acap.edu.au/apply-steps
• Read through the application steps noted on the How to Apply page.
• Familiarise yourself with the ACAP policies at: acap.edu.au/pages/policies-procedures
A Course Advisor will be in touch 24-48 hours after you have submitted your application. In the meantime, start collating the documents necessary to finalise your enrolment, including:
• Passport or Australian Driver’s Licence/state photo ID card; and
• Evidence of your citizenship e.g. Passport, Birth Certificate or Citizenship Certificate as applicable; and
• Relevant academic transcripts (such as a degree testamur).
Please see specific course listings within this guide or go to acap.edu.au/apply-steps for the supporting documentation required for specific courses.
If your application is successful, within 3-5 days you will receive confirmation of your enrolment from ACAP outlining the course you have been accepted into, the fees payable and the commencement date.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Student Safety and Wellbeing
ACAP University College is committed to facilitating a positive health and safety culture, ensuring that our students are safe from sexual harassment, sexual assault, bullying and racial harassment during their studies. Maintaining health, safety and wellbeing is the responsibility of all students, staff, volunteers, visitors and contractors. ACAP students have a variety of personal and academic support services available to them during their studies. These include:
• a free and confidential counselling service to all students
• an service which supports students with disabilities
• Learning support services which provides a range of academic skilling resources and activities for students
• a placement service which provides contact details of organisations available to students for placement
• an orientation schedule to help new students familiarise themselves with the local campus, facilities and services and prepare for study with the College
• College policy that promotes a positive health and safety culture and environment.
Inherent Requirements
Inherent requirements are the abilities, knowledge and skills needed to complete our courses. All ACAP courses have inherent requirements and all students must be able to meet their course’s inherent requirements to successfully complete the course.
ACAP’s inherent requirements ensures the academic integrity of a course is maintained and preserving ACAP’s learning, assessment and accreditation processes.
To read more about inherent requirements and to view the requirements per course, please visit: acap.edu.au/inherent-requirements
ACAP is committed to supporting a positive health and safety culture and environment
Everyone has a responsibility for health, safety and wellbeing
SCHOLARSHIPS
ACAP scholarships
There are three scholarship categories available to new ACAP students; Inclusive Futures, First Nations Access and Lifelong Learner. If you would like to benefit from up to 50% off your tuition fees, apply for one of these ACAP scholarships. Multiple scholarships are available per category, though places are limited. For information on scholarship categories, eligibility criteria, and to apply, visit acap.edu.au/scholarships
STUDENT SERVICES AND AMENITIES FEE
The Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF) was introduced at ACAP in 2024 to fund programs and services to benefit all students’ physical, mental, social, career and cultural wellbeing – from recreational and sporting activities to entertainment and events, plus career and employment advice.
The fee is capped at $365 per year from 2025. The fee will be charged per trimester (or per intake for the Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice) at $121 for full-time students and $91 for part-time students. Please check our website for any updates to the fees.
Your SSAF is not covered under FEE-HELP, but eligible students can apply to defer part, or all, of the fee through SA-HELP, or pay upfront.
For more information about the SSAF, your eligibility, payment details and how to apply for SA-HELP visit our website: acap.edu.au/SSAF
Who can I speak to at ACAP about fees and finance?
Our Course advisors can give you information regarding fees and finance, and they’re always up for a chat about your options.
FEES AND FUNDING
This information is related to Australian citizens, permanent residents, New Zealand citizens and permanent humanitarian visa holders.
Studying is an important investment in your future, in terms of both your time and finances. As a domestic student, there is support to help make covering the costs of your studies achievable, so money need not get in the way of making your study dreams a reality.
About our fees
At ACAP University College, we price our courses per unit and you’ll be asked to pay your tuition fees per trimester either upfront or through a government loan. You can find the most up to date fee structures on our website.
Government assistance
As a domestic student, there are many ways to get help with the cost of tuition fees:
Government loan
FEE-HELP, which is a federal government loan that can be used to pay part or all of your tuition fees. This loan can be paid back gradually through the tax system once you earn over a certain amount.
Government scholarships
The Australian Government offers a range of scholarships (eg Tertiary Access Payment, Rural and Regional Entreprise, Destination Australia) you may be eligible to apply for depending on your circumstances. You can find more information at studyaustralia.gov.au/english/study/ scholarships .
Centrelink student income support
All our courses are recognised by Centrelink as approved courses for student income support. You may be able to apply for:
• Youth Allowance (if you’re 24 or under).
• Austudy (if you’re 25 or older).
• ABSTUDY (if you’re Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander).
ACAP University College Pty Ltd. TEQSA Provider Category: University College, TEQSA Provider ID: PRV12009, National CRICOS Provider Code: 01328A, RTO: 0500, ACN: 057 495 299.
The information contained in this guide is correct at the time of publication, however, ACAP University College reserves the right to alter, amend or delete details at any time without notice. Prospective students should refer to ACAP’s website for current information before applying. This guide is provided free of charge. 241311-1348 - 11/24.
Adelaide
Brisbane
15-19 Franklin Street, Adelaide, SA, 5000 Ground Floor, 410 Ann Street, Brisbane, QLD, 4000
Byron Bay
373-391 Ewingsdale Road, Byron Bay, NSW, 2481
Melbourne
Level 3, Kmart Centre, 222 Bourke Street, Melbourne, VIC, 3000
Perth
116-120 Roe Street, Northbridge, Perth, WA, 6003
Sydney
Level 11, 255 Elizabeth Street, Sydney, NSW, 2000