How to Apply
Applications have opened for Semester 2 2026
Note: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) is open for applications all year round.
Applying to The Cairnmillar Institute is an exciting step in advancing your academic and professional journey. To ensure a smooth application process, it's important to carefully follow the steps as required. Begin by reviewing the program requirements and ensuring that you meet all eligibility criteria. Gather the necessary documentation, including academic transcripts, references, and any relevant supporting documentation. Pay close attention to application deadlines and be sure to submit your materials on time. Once submitted, our admissions team will review your application and notify you of the next steps. If you have any questions during the process, don’t hesitate to reach out to our admissions team for guidance. We’re here to help you every step of the way!
Courses now accepting applications:
- Bachelor of Psychology & Counselling
- Bachelor of Psychology (Honours)
- Graduate Certificate of Psychological Science
- Graduate Diploma of Psychological Science
- Graduate Certificate in Trauma-Informed Care
- Graduate Diploma in Trauma-Informed Care
Please note that all course offerings are delivered as part-time and available to domestic applicants only.Â
How to Apply
Step 1: Decide which course(s) you wish to apply for and ensure you meet the course requirements
Begin by exploring the courses available and selecting the program that best aligns with your academic background, career goals, and areas of interest. Carefully review the course entry requirements, including prerequisite qualifications, supporting documentation, and any additional criteria such as assessments for overseas qualifications. Ensuring you meet these requirements before applying will help streamline the application process.
Step 2: Make an applicant account
To submit an application, you will first need to create an applicant account through our online application portal. This account allows you to start, save, and return to your application at any time before submission. It also enables you to upload required documents, update your details, and track the progress of your application throughout the admissions process.
Step 3: Apply for course(s)
Once your account has been created, you can complete and submit your application through the portal. Be sure to provide accurate information and upload all required documentation, such as academic transcripts and proof of Id. After submitting your application, you will receive confirmation and further updates from the admissions team regarding the next steps in the assessment process.
Learn more about all our courses
Common Questions
How to apply (7)
Unfortunately, because your current or former institution uses a GPA grading system or does not provide exact marks on your official academic transcript, we will require an additional document from you in order to process your application.
We will require an official letter from your Head of School or Course Coordinator which states your marks numerically (out of 100), for all APAC accredited units of study in psychology, including an overall weighted average mark (WAM) out of 100. Your psychology or administrative department should be familiar with providing these letters, as WAM is an APAC requirement for entry.
Please upload this evidence with your application, or send it to [email protected] and we will upload it to your application for you.
If your institution asks to send the document directly to us (in the case that some of your marks are still provisional, for example) then it can be sent directly to [email protected].
If you are a current student looking to apply for further study, please log back into Paradigm and submit a new application under student – application summary – new application.
If you are a returning student, please reach out to the admissions team ([email protected]) and IT ([email protected]) to reactivate your account
We do not pre-assess applications and cannot assist you with specific enquiries about overseas degrees.
| Psychology Courses | Counselling & Psychotherapy Courses |
| Applicants will need to provide an assessment of overseas qualifications from the APS with their application.
We recommend that you apply for the APS assessment as soon as possible as these can take weeks to obtain during peak periods and your application will not be considered until a valid APS assessment is provided. You can find more about APS assessments here:Â https://www.psychology.org.au/membership/qualifications/university/ |
Your qualifications will be assessed once you make an application.
If you have a related overseas degree specifically in counselling or psychotherapy you will need this to be assessed by PACFA and apply to VETASSESS You can find move about VETASSESS assessments here: Recognising Overseas Qualifications – Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia We do not pre-assess applications and you will need to use your best judgement about the equivalency of your overseas qualification to the Australian AQF system. You can find the entry criteria for all of our courses on their specific course pages here. |
You can find more detailed information on the International Students page here.
For psychology applicants, your WAM should be calculated using results from all units (including failed units) in your most recent APAC accredited qualification along with the credit points for each unit.
Sum of (final marks x subject credit points) / sum of total credit points studied
Example:
| Final Mark | Credit Points | Final Mark x Credit Point |
| 67 | 12.5 | 67 x 12.5 = 837.50 |
| 82 | 12.5 | 82 x 12.5 = 1,025 |
| 74 | 12.5 | 74 x 12.5 = 925 |
| 68 | 12.5 | 68 x 12.5 = 850 |
| 50 | 3,637.50 |
- Sum of (final marks x subject credit points) = 3,637.50
- Sum of total credit points studied = 50
- WAM calculation = 3637.50/50
- WAM= 75
Counselling and psychotherapy applicants should provide the total WAM for all subjects in their most recent qualification. If you are applying with overseas qualifications, please provide an estimate to your WAM or total score.
If your current or previous higher education provider uses a GPA grading system or does not provide numerical marks on your official academic transcript, we will require an additional document from you in order to process your application. See this FAQ answer for more information.
No, a personal statement is not required when applying to Cairnmillar (with the exception of the Doctor of Philosophy course). The application process focuses on your academic background, qualifications, and any required supporting documentation rather than a written personal statement. Applicants simply need to complete the online application form and upload the requested documents, such as academic transcripts or identification, as part of their submission. This streamlined process helps ensure that applying is straightforward and accessible for all prospective students.
We do not assess Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) applications until after an offer is made and accepted.
Students who are offered a place can apply for RPL and where previous studies are directly comparable to our accredited units of study, RPL may be granted for up to 50% of the credit points in a course of study (program). For example, if the course has 8 units total, then a maximum of 4 units can be granted via RPL.
Our RPL policy can be found here. More information on the RPL process will be available when offers are made.
For Psychology courses, RPL and credit can normally only be granted if your prior studies were in an APAC accredited program or the same or higher level than the one you are applying to. This means you cannot get credit for 4th-year psychology units in a 5th-year course, nor 2nd or 3rd-year level units in a 4th-year course even if they have similar nomenclature such as both being Graduate Diplomas.
How to use the Application Portal
To apply for a course at Cairnmillar first you will need to create an account or log in if you already have one, then select the course you wish to apply for and complete the online application form. You will be required to provide personal details, educational history, and upload supporting documents such as academic transcripts and identification. Once all required sections are completed, review your information carefully before submitting the application. After submission, you will receive a confirmation and may be contacted by the admissions team if additional information is needed. If you require additional support, please review the resources below or alternatively, contact the admissions team at [email protected].