Course overview
Master of Counselling and Psychotherapy is a postgraduate (master's) course at The Cairnmillar Institute in Melbourne, Australia. It takes 2 years full-time, with intakes in February (Semester 1).
The Cairnmillar Institute is a private institution. Read the full course description, modules and entry rules on the official course page.
Key highlights
| University | The Cairnmillar Institute (Private) |
|---|---|
| Location | Melbourne, Australia |
| Course | Master of Counselling and Psychotherapy |
| Level | Master's (postgraduate) |
| Duration | 2 years full-time |
| Tuition per year | A$34,578 (≈ ₹22.5 lakh) |
| Intakes | February (Semester 1) |
| English requirement | IELTS 7.0 with 7.0 in each component, TOEFL iBT 100 (L25, R25, W27, S23), PTE 72 with 72 in each, or OET B (C in each) |
Interested in Master of Counselling and Psychotherapy?A counsellor checks your eligibility and helps you apply, free of charge.
Fees and costs
Tuition for international students is A$34,578 a year, about ₹22.5 lakh. Over 2 years that is roughly A$69,156 (≈ ₹45 lakh) before any yearly increase.
2027 international rate: A$34,577.93 a year (8 units of A$4,322.24); A$69,155.86 for direct entry over 2 years. Annual increases may apply.
Living costs for Australia as a whole: A$29,710–40,000 a year. Approximate exchange rates (based on ECB reference rates, March 2026). Actual rates on your payment date will differ.
Plan my monthly living costsEligibility
General entry requirements at The Cairnmillar Institute for master's courses. Some courses ask for more, so check the course page.
- Graduate Diploma of Counselling and Psychotherapy: a related bachelor's degree with a weighted average of 60, or any bachelor's degree with 60 plus relevant work experience.
- Master of Counselling and Psychotherapy: a related bachelor's degree (such as psychology, social work or teaching) with a weighted average of 70; otherwise start with the Graduate Diploma.
- Bachelor of Psychology (Honours): a three-year APAC-accredited psychology sequence, or an overseas degree assessed as equivalent by the APS, with a weighted average of 60.
- Master of Psychology (Clinical Psychology): a four-year APAC-accredited psychology sequence with a weighted average of 75, and eligibility for provisional registration with the Psychology Board of Australia.
- Shortlisted postgraduate applicants have an admissions interview, held remotely.
English requirements
For this course: IELTS 7.0 with 7.0 in each component, TOEFL iBT 100 (L25, R25, W27, S23), PTE 72 with 72 in each, or OET B (C in each).
| Test | What the university asks for |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate | IELTS 6.5 (6.0 in each component), TOEFL iBT 87 (L19, R19, W21, S19) or PTE 64 (60 in each) |
| Honours, graduate diploma and master's | IELTS 7.0 (7.0 in each component), TOEFL iBT 100 (L25, R25, W27, S23) or PTE 72 (72 in each) |
| OET | Accepted for counselling and psychotherapy courses: overall B, with C in each component |
| Waivers | None: Cairnmillar says accreditation rules mean it gives no English test waivers. Five years living or working in an English-speaking country may be accepted instead. |
Intakes
This course starts in: February (Semester 1).
Upcoming intakes and deadlines in AustraliaHow to apply
- Check the entry requirements and the deadline on the official course page.
- Take IELTS, PTE or the test the university accepts, if you need one.
- Prepare your documents: transcripts, statement of purpose, recommendation letters and CV.
- Apply on the university's application portal and pay any application fee.
- Accept your offer, meet any conditions and pay the deposit.
- Apply for your student visa for Australia, then arrange accommodation.
Documents you'll need
- Academic transcripts and degree certificates
- Proof of identity (passport)
- CV or résumé
- APS assessment of an overseas psychology degree (psychology postgraduate courses)
- English test results
- Referee reports if shortlisted
About The Cairnmillar Institute
The Cairnmillar Institute is a small, not-for-profit provider in Hawthorn East, Melbourne, that teaches only psychology, counselling and psychotherapy. It was founded in 1961 and also runs low-cost counselling clinics, where it says it gives about 9,000 sessions a year. Not every course is open to international students; those that are include a bachelor's degree in psychology and counselling, an honours year, counselling and psychotherapy postgraduate courses, and a Master of Psychology (Clinical Psychology).
Indian students look at Cairnmillar for professionally accredited training: the psychology courses are accredited by APAC, and the counselling courses by the Australian Counselling Association (and PACFA for the master's). Entry is selective, postgraduate psychology applicants must have their degree assessed by the Australian Psychological Society, and the English bar is high, with no waivers.
Similar courses
More courses at The Cairnmillar Institute
FAQs
What is the fee for Master of Counselling and Psychotherapy at The Cairnmillar Institute?
The tuition for international students is A$34,578 a year (about ₹22.5 lakh). 2027 international rate: A$34,577.93 a year (8 units of A$4,322.24); A$69,155.86 for direct entry over 2 years. Annual increases may apply. Fees usually rise each year, so check the course page before you apply.
How long is Master of Counselling and Psychotherapy?
The course takes 2 years full-time.
What English score do I need?
IELTS 7.0 with 7.0 in each component, TOEFL iBT 100 (L25, R25, W27, S23), PTE 72 with 72 in each, or OET B (C in each). Some universities also accept Class 12 English marks or other tests; confirm on the course page.
When can I start?
Intakes: February (Semester 1). Apply early: popular courses can fill up before the deadline.
Can Admission Mantra help me apply?
Yes. A counsellor checks your eligibility, helps you prepare your documents and statement of purpose, and guides you through the application and visa. The first conversation is free.
We researched this page on 28 Oct 2026 from the university's own pages. Fees, entry rules and intakes change every year; confirm them on the official course page before you apply. Listing a course doesn't mean Admission Mantra represents the university.
- The Cairnmillar Institute: Master of Counselling and Psychotherapy (opens in a new tab)
- Cairnmillar Institute: home (opens in a new tab)
- Cairnmillar: international students (opens in a new tab)
- Cairnmillar: fees and scholarships (opens in a new tab)
- Cairnmillar: 2027 tuition fees table (PDF) (opens in a new tab)