Australian Institute of Professional Counsellors

What Australian Institute of Professional Counsellors does

Australian Institute of Professional Counsellors (AIPC), legally The Australian Institute of Professional Counsellors Pty Ltd, is a privately held Australian tertiary education provider headquartered in Brisbane with operations dating to the early 1990s. The institution delivers accredited counselling, community services, allied health and education & care qualifications at vocational (Certificate III/IV and Diploma) and higher education (Bachelor, Master, Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma) levels, primarily through a self-paced online model supported by seven physical campuses across Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide, Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast.

The core technology asset is HELP (Higher Education Learning Portal), AIPC's proprietary learning management system that delivers course content, assessments, webinars and discussion forums to enrolled students. The portfolio spans the flagship Diploma of Counselling (CHC51015, 18 units), Bachelor and Master of Counselling pathways, Diplomas in Mental Health, Financial Counselling, Youth Work, Community Services and AOD, plus allied health and education & care certificates. Eleven optional Advanced Study Majors attach to the Diploma to enable specialisation. Ancillary properties — Australian Counselling Service (clinical placement), Institute of Allied Health, Life Coaching Institute and Counselling Connection — operate as affiliated education or service brands under the same corporate umbrella.

AIPC's revenue model rests on tuition fees across vocational and higher education courses, with financing structured around FEE-HELP government loans, upfront payments with discounts, and fortnightly or monthly payment plans. Distribution is direct-to-consumer via the AIPC website, online enrolment, and campus-based support centres, with international student recruitment enabled by CRICOS registration across 27 source countries. Operational compliance is anchored in RTO 0670, TEQSA higher education registration PRV12083, CRICOS 04095M, and ACA accreditation of the Diploma of Counselling, with 55,000+ lifetime graduates cited as the primary scale signal.

Name

Australian Institute of Professional Counsellors

Legal name

The Australian Institute of Professional Counsellors Pty Ltd

Website

https://aipc.net.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

1993

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

AIPC is a Brisbane-based private tertiary education provider delivering accredited online counselling, community services, allied health and education & care qualifications (Certificate to Master level) to domestic and international students across Australia.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Brisbane

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Tuition Fees - Vocational and Higher Education Courses: AIPC generates revenue primarily through tuition fees for accredited counselling and community services courses. Students pay per unit or per term, with options for FEE-HELP government loan scheme, upfront payment, or payment plans.
2. FEE-HELP Government Loan Scheme: Eligible students can access FEE-HELP loans to pay tuition fees, with repayment managed through the Australian taxation system once income exceeds threshold. This widens access to students who cannot pay upfront.
3. Advanced Study Majors (Specialisation Modules): Optional specialised study modules that complement the core Diploma of Counselling, charged as additional units beyond the base course fee.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Australian Institute of Professional Counsellors (AIPC) is a specialist education provider selling accredited vocational and higher education courses in counselling, community services, allied health, and education/care to individual students across Australia and internationally. Courses are delivered primarily online and self-paced through its proprietary Higher Education Learning Portal (HELP), with optional residential schools and campus-based instruction. Graduates qualify for Australian Counselling Association membership and pathways to registration as Counsellors.

Product overview

Australian Institute of Professional Counsellors (AIPC) is a specialist education provider offering online counselling and community services courses across vocational (Certificate III/IV, Diploma) and higher education (Bachelor, Master, Graduate Certificate/Diploma) levels. The core product is the Diploma of Counselling (CHC51015), the most popular counselling pathway in Australia, which can be enhanced with 11 optional Advanced Study Majors covering specialised areas like Abuse Counselling, Relationship Counselling, and Mindfulness-Based Therapies. AIPC's portfolio spans five main course categories: Counselling (vocational and higher ed), Community Services, Allied Health, Education & Care, and Professional/Specialist Graduate courses. Delivery is primarily online and self-paced through the proprietary Higher Education Learning Portal (HELP), with FEE-HELP financing available for eligible students. Student support services include academic coaching, career services, and disability accommodations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Australian Counselling Service (ACS): AIPC's clinical counselling division providing counselling services, with pre-service counsellors (AIPC students on placement) delivering highly subsidised counselling services to the general public.
• Institute of Allied Health
• Life Coaching Institute
• Counselling Connection

Products and services

• Diploma of Counselling (CHC51015) A nationally recognised vocational qualification and Australia's most popular pathway to a counselling career, accredited by the Australian Counselling Association. The 18-unit, 12-month self-paced online course covers counselling theories, therapeutic approaches (CBT, solution-focused therapy, ACT), case management, grief support, legal/ethical issues, and mental health work, leading to automatic eligibility for ACA membership.
• Master of Counselling Postgraduate degree and the most popular Master of Counselling in Australia, designed for those with an undergraduate qualification seeking to transition into the counselling profession. Offered online across three optional trimesters.
• Bachelor of Counselling Undergraduate degree structured to progressively develop knowledge and skills from foundational theoretical concepts through to advanced skills and applications in counselling.
• Diploma of Mental Health Vocational diploma preparing students to work with individuals experiencing mental health challenges, providing foundational knowledge and skills for mental health support roles.
• Diploma of Financial Counselling Vocational diploma providing skills and knowledge for financial counselling roles, including understanding financial issues, ethical practices, and client support.
• Certificate IV in Mental Health Vocational certificate providing foundational skills for working with people with mental health issues in community, residential, or clinical settings.
• Diploma of Community Services Vocational diploma preparing students for case management and community services work, covering case planning, service coordination, and support for diverse client populations.
• Diploma of Youth Work Vocational diploma focusing on skills for working with young people, including development support, case work, and community-based youth services.
• Diploma of Alcohol and Other Drugs Vocational diploma providing specialised knowledge and skills for working with individuals affected by alcohol and other drug use.
• Certificate IV in Youth Work Vocational certificate providing foundational skills for youth work roles, including engaging with young people and providing support services.
• Certificate IV in Alcohol and Other Drugs Vocational certificate for working with people affected by alcohol and other drug issues, covering assessment, support, and referral practices.
• Bachelor of Social Work Undergraduate degree preparing students for social work practice, covering case management, policy, community development, and ethical practice.
• Diploma of Practice Management Vocational diploma for managing health practice operations, covering administration, compliance, and service coordination.
• Certificate IV in Dental Assisting Vocational certificate for dental assisting roles, covering clinical support, patient care, and practice administration.
• Certificate IV in Health Administration Vocational certificate for health administration roles, covering medical records, patient services, and health system navigation.
• Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance Vocational certificate for allied health assistant roles, providing support to allied health professionals in various therapeutic settings.
• Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care Vocational diploma for early childhood education roles, covering child development, curriculum planning, and educational care practices.
• Certificate IV in School Based Education Support Vocational certificate for working as education support staff in schools, assisting teachers and supporting student learning.
• AIPC Upskill Flexible online upskill courses for professionals seeking to enhance their skills in counselling and community services areas without pursuing full qualifications.
• BullyEd Free Anti-Bullying Program A free anti-bullying program offered by AIPC, providing resources and education on bullying prevention and intervention.
• Diploma of Counselling Practice Higher education diploma providing practical counselling skills and knowledge for those seeking to enter or advance in counselling practice.
• Master of Counselling for Internationals Master of Counselling program specifically designed for international students, delivered online to accommodate students worldwide.
• Graduate Certificate in Relationship Counselling Specialist graduate qualification for professionals seeking advanced knowledge in relationship counselling, covering therapeutic approaches, communication skills, and ethical practice. 4 units over 6 months, FEE-HELP eligible.
• Graduate Certificate in Mental Health Counselling Graduate certificate for professionals seeking specialised knowledge in mental health counselling approaches and interventions.
• Graduate Certificate in Family Counselling Graduate certificate focusing on family counselling theories and practices for working with families and family dynamics.
• Graduate Certificate in Coaching and Leadership Graduate certificate combining coaching methodologies with leadership development for professional growth.
• Graduate Certificate in Child and Youth Counselling Graduate certificate specialising in counselling approaches for children and adolescents.
• Graduate Certificate in Counselling Practice Graduate certificate providing advanced counselling practice skills for career enhancement.
• Graduate Diploma of Relationship Counselling Graduate diploma providing in-depth knowledge in relationship counselling, including therapeutic techniques and contemporary issues in couples work.
• Graduate Diploma of Behaviour Therapy Graduate diploma focusing on behaviour therapy approaches and applications in counselling.
• Graduate Diploma in Neuro-affirming Practice Graduate diploma providing specialised knowledge in neuro-affirming counselling practice.
• Graduate Diploma in Rehabilitation Counselling Graduate diploma for rehabilitation counselling, covering disability support, vocational rehabilitation, and case management.
• Problem Gambling Skill Set Specialised short course addressing problem gambling support and intervention skills.
• Certificate IV in Ageing Support Vocational certificate for working with older people in various care and support settings.
• Certificate IV in Disability Support Vocational certificate for disability support workers, covering person-centred approaches and support planning.
• Advanced Study Majors Optional specialised study modules complementing the Diploma of Counselling, covering Abuse Counselling, Relationship Counselling, Expressive Therapies, Grief and Loss, Child Development, Mindfulness-Based Therapies, Addictions, Family Therapy, Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander Work, Children and Adolescents, and Health and Wellness.

Quantifiable outcome

• 55,000+ graduates successfully completed counselling courses
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Australian Counselling Association (ACA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Diploma of Counselling is accredited by the Australian Counselling Association, the peak national association of counsellors. Upon graduation, students automatically qualify for membership to the ACA, providing substantial industry credibility and professional registration pathways.
• Independent Tertiary Education Council of Australia (ITECA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerITECA logo appears on course pages as an industry association partner, representing independent tertiary education providers in Australia.
• Australian Counselling Service (ACS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerACS is AIPC's clinical counselling division. Pre-service counsellors (AIPC students on placement) provide counselling services to the general public, while students in their early years of study can access counselling services from ACS pre-service counsellors.
• Resolution InstituteminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerExternal dispute resolution service for academic and non-academic complaints. Students can access Stage Four of complaints process through Resolution Institute mediation services.
• Institute of Allied HealthminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRelated institution under the same organisational umbrella, offering education in allied health fields.
• Life Coaching Institute (LCIA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRelated institution under the same organisational umbrella, offering life coaching education programmes.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Jansen Newman Institute: Jansen Newman Institute offers accredited counselling and psychotherapy training in Australia, including vocational diplomas and graduate-level qualifications. Its course stack, ACA-aligned curriculum, and online/self-paced delivery closely mirror AIPC's Diploma and Graduate Certificate offerings.
• Open Colleges: Open Colleges is one of Australia's largest private online vocational education providers, offering self-paced certificate and diploma programs including community services, mental health, and counselling-adjacent streams. Its online, consumer-led, payment-plan model overlaps with AIPC's distance learning motion.
• Australian College of Applied Psychology (ACAP): ACAP is a private higher education provider focused on counselling, psychology, and applied social science degrees in Australia, with a closely aligned course portfolio (bachelor/master pathways) and student base (career changers, international students). It is the most direct competitor to AIPC's higher education counselling offering.
• Morling College: Morling College delivers accredited counselling and theology higher education programs in Australia, including master-level counselling degrees. It competes with AIPC for graduate-level counselling students seeking ACA-aligned qualifications and academic credit pathways.
• Think Education (Torque/ILX Group): Think Education operates vocational and higher education colleges (e.g., APM College of Business and Communication, CATC Design School, Billy Blue College of Design) under a private provider model with multi-campus Australian footprint. Its portfolio breadth and online delivery mix are directly comparable to AIPC's verticalised counselling/community services strategy.

Broad incumbents

• Navitas: Navitas is a large global education provider offering university pathway programs, professional education, and English language training. While it does not specialise in counselling, its Australian pathway and international student infrastructure make it a comparable operator in private tertiary education.
• Kaplan Australia: Kaplan Australia is a major private higher education and vocational provider offering pathway programs, diplomas, and degrees across multiple sectors. Its online delivery model and international student positioning overlap with AIPC's distribution, although counselling is not its core vertical.
• Torrens University Australia: Torrens University is a large private Australian university offering counselling, health, education, and community services degrees both online and across multiple campuses. It competes with AIPC for higher education counselling enrolments and international students but offers a much broader portfolio.
• Australian Catholic University (ACU): ACU is a public university with established counselling, social work, and health degrees at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. It competes with AIPC on master's-level counselling and social work qualifications but serves a broader higher education market.

Others

• Australian Counselling Association (ACA): ACA is the peak national professional association for counsellors in Australia and accredits AIPC's Diploma of Counselling. It is included as an ecosystem peer: ACA membership is a key value driver of AIPC's qualifications, making the relationship structurally important and a potential competitive lever.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCY7Kkp40G7l3Yx9_ozuv8vw
• Facebookfacebook.com/counsellors
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/counsellors
• Instagraminstagram.com/aipc.counsellors
• Xx.com/counsellingnews

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Australian Institute of Professional Counsellors