Applications & Admissions (9)
Discover how personalised education can enhance your career at our Information Evenings
Our information evenings and open days are the best opportunity to learn the ins and outs of your dream course, whilst having the opportunity to talk directly to our experienced practitioners, researchers and excellent educators, as well as current students and alumni. To find out about up next Open Day or Information Evening, please visit our dedicated page here.You need to do your best to provide a strong application, including choosing referees who can best attest to your suitability for a professional career in psychology or counselling and psychotherapy.
Examples of an academic referee include:
- Teachers
- Tutors
- Lecturers
- Research supervisors
These referees need to be able to comment on your writing and research abilities, as well as your suitability for a career in your chosen field. For the Master of Clinical Psychology (Post Registration), you can use your professional supervisor as an academic referee.
Examples of professional referees include:
- Employers/managers
- Volunteer coordinators
- Representatives from an organisation you volunteer for (e.g. a Lifeline team leader)
- Professional counsellor or psychologists
- Any other relevant person you have worked with, who can comment on your work ethic and your personal qualities with some authority.
Referees should not be close friends and should not be related to you.
We do not answer questions about the suitability of your choice of referees and do not pre-assess applications. If you need help in finding suitable referees and making the best application possible, we suggest that you speak to your current academic advisors, or someone you know in the fields of counselling or psychology.
We are a small school and cannot provide tailored support to all applicants. Ultimately applicants are responsible for finding suitable referees who know them well enough to comment on the relevant areas of their ability.
We endeavour to let applicants know as soon as possible once a decision is made regarding their application.
For our February main round courses, conditional offers will be made on an ongoing basis from as early as August and September of the year prior until January of the commencing year.
For July mid-year courses, applicants will be provided an outcome whether their application was successful or not by end of June of the same year.
Courses that have admissions interviews will only make offers once an interview has been completed.
You can view the status of your application in our Application Portal. Please log in to the portal to review your application status and do not contact Cairnmillar directly – these requests do not accelerate the selection process.
To find our whether the course(s) you’re interested in require an admissions interview, please check the relevant course page.
February main round course intakes –
- Master and Doctor of Psychology (Clinical Psychology): Interviews will be held over several rounds starting as early as August the year prior and will be held via Microsoft Teams.
- Master of Clinical Psychology (Post Registration): No synchronous interviews are conducted, and shortlisted applicants will be invited to submit a short video.
- Master of Professional Psychology: Interviews will be held over several rounds starting as early as August the year prior and will be held via Microsoft Teams.
- Counselling and Psychotherapy Programs: Interviews will be held over several rounds starting as early as August the year prior and will be held via Microsoft Teams.
If your course does not appear on this list, interviews are not involved in the selection process. Please see the course page for further information.
Please visit the relevant course page(s) via our Find a Course page. Course pages contain information regarding application periods, entry requirements, tuition fees, course structures and accreditation.
Applications are submitted online via our Application Portal (https://apply.cairnmillar.edu.au/). Detailed instructions on navigating the portal can be found in our How to Apply page and other FAQ items.
If you require additional assistance, please contact our IT team ([email protected]) or School Admin Team ([email protected]).
To see whether a curriculum vitae (CV) is required to apply, please check the entry requirements on the specific course page.
The best content and format for a CV will vary depending on your personal and professional history and experience. There is no single best format or practice for all applicants. In general, a shorter CV (1-3 pages) is best. You may be able to find templates and advice online to best suit your situation.
Ultimately, applicants are responsible for making decisions regarding their application and presenting the best possible application. We are a small school and cannot give external applicants specific advice about application planning and document preparation. Please contact your current or previous institution for careers advice, or talk to a trusted friend or professional for assistance with your CV and application preparation.
Please note: Those applying to the Master of Clinical Psychology (Post-Registration) program must demonstrate they meet specific admissions criteria to be considered for selection. Some of this information can be included in your CV, as well as your personal statement. Please visit the course page for further information.
Please check the entry requirements on specific course pages to see if the relevant course(s) require a personal statement.
Your personal statement should address why you wish to study a particular course at Cairnmillar, including any relevant work or volunteer experience, certifications and career or future study aspirations.
Personal statements should be no longer than 500 words. 10% leeway either side is normally acceptable.
For those applying to any Counselling and Psychotherapy program, please note that a personal statement is not required. Instead, applicants will be asked to provide extended responses to questions within the application form directly. Please see the relevant course page(s) for further information.
Entry to all programs at Cairnmillar is competitive. Entry requirements are listed on each Course Page and detail the minimum to be considered for entry. Satisfying these requirements does not guarantee entry.
Selection at Cairnmillar is holistic and includes factors other than academic grades. In addition to academic results we take a number of factors into consideration, in particular performance in an admissions interview and referee reports, if applicable. There is no guaranteed entry grade and grades for those who received offers in prior intakes will vary.
Please note: For courses that do have a minimum grade to apply, this is strictly enforced and personal or professional experience and references cannot be taken instead of the required academic results. Meeting the minimum cut-off to apply is not normally enough for an offer to be made.
Example – Master of Psychology (Clinical Psychology): While a high H2A (75%) is the minimum WAM to apply, to be competitive for entry to this program results in the 80-85+ range (e.g. H1 or HD) are likely necessary.
All offers are conditional meaning if offered a place into a course, it will be made on the basis that you meet certain requirements and conditions before you can be accepted into your chosen course.
These requirements are usually based of academic results and providing us with evidence off your completed official academic transcript once completed.
International Students (1)
In a nutshell, the ESOS Act is a law that protect international students studying in Australia. The Act also outlines your rights and responsibilities as an international student, and sets out what you can expect from your education provider. It’s all about creating a fair, safe, and transparent environment for you as a student.
As a provider for international students, Cairnmillar is also bound to follow the Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS) Act, which you can access by visiting the Australian Government’s website.
Academic Calendar & Timetable (1)
The current and future Academic Calendars are available on our Key Dates page.
Most courses start in late February or early March each year, with orientation typically occurring during the week prior to classes commencing. Orientation for all courses is compulsory and in-person attendance is required. For midyear intakes, teaching typically commences in July with orientation occurring the week prior to the first weel of classes.
The Master of Psychology (Clinical Psychology) and Doctor of Psychology (Clinical Psychology) may also include a two week intensive during main round intakes, which typically occur at the start of February.
Class timetables are provided to applicants once they are enrolled, with detailed provisional information published to Cairnmillar students.
General (4)
Most of our Higher Education programs are taught in person, at our Hawthorn Campus : 391-393 Tooronga Road, Hawthorn East, Victoria, 3123.
Online Courses
- The Graduate Certificate of Psychological Science and Graduate Diploma of Psychological Science
- The Master of Clinical Psychology (Post Registration)
- Post Graduate Child, Family and Youth Courses
- Bachelor of Psychology Honours (Units are available online or on campus)
Introduction
- Tuition assurance protects students in the event a course of study provided by an approved HELP provider ceases to be provided after it starts but before it is completed.
- As an approved higher education provider under the Higher Education Support Act 2003, The Cairnmillar Institute ABN: 27 005 085 423 ACN: 005 085 423 must meet the tuition assurance requirements or be exempt from those requirements.
- It is intended that, from 1 January 2018, The Cairnmillar Institute will be exempted from the requirement to meet the tuition assurance requirements. Instead, The Cairnmillar Institute is required to comply with interim arrangements which ensure similar tuition assurance protection is provided to students.
- This statement sets out the interim arrangements for tuition assurance that will apply from 1 January 2018 and The Cairnmillar Institute’s obligations from that date.
- If any changes occur to the proposed arrangements outlined below, a revised statement will be provided on The Cairnmillar Institute’s website and advised to all students that have enrolled in the intervening period.
What happens if The Cairnmillar Institute ceases to provide a course of study?
Information for affected students
- The Cairnmillar Institute will notify affected students in writing that a course of study is no longer provided within 2 business days after The Cairnmillar Institute ceases to provide the course.
- As soon as practicable, The Cairnmillar Institute will also update its website to reflect that the course is no longer being delivered and to give students information about the tuition assurance arrangements.
- Affected students may choose either course assurance arrangements or apply to The Cairnmillar Institute for a re−credit of their HELP balance.
Course Assurance
- The Commonwealth Department of Education and Training (the Department) (or a consultant engaged by the Department) will work with affected students to identify a replacement course and arrange for students to be placed with a second provider.
- Replacement courses must meet the following requirements:
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- the course must lead to the same or comparable qualification as the original course;
- the mode of delivery of the replacement course must be the same as or, with the student’s consent, similar to the mode of delivery for the original course;
- the location where the replacement course is primarily delivered must be reasonable, having regard to the costs of, and the time required for, a student’s travel; and
- the student will not incur additional fees that are unreasonable and will be able to attend the replacement course without unreasonable impacts on the student’s prior commitments.
- Affected students will be offered a replacement course and may seek a review about whether the course offered to them meets the requirements for replacement courses.
- A student who accepts the replacement course offered will not be required to pay the second provider for the replacement components of the replacement course. However, the fees payable for the remainder of the replacement course may be different from the fees payable for the original course.
- The student will also receive course credits for parts of the original course successfully completed by the student, as evidenced by a copy of a statement of attainment or other Australian Qualifications Framework certification document issued by the course provider or an authorised issuing organisation in accordance with the Australian Qualifications Framework.
- Each affected student will have a period of six (6) months in which to accept the replacement course offer. The Department may extend that period in circumstances that justify an extension.
- If an affected student enrols in a course that is not a replacement course, the student may be required to pay additional tuition fees, and might not receive the course credits the student would have received if the student had enrolled in a replacement course.
Re−credit of HELP balance
- Where the student prefers to apply for a re−credit of their HELP balance for the affected parts of the original course, the student may nominate the Department (or a consultant engaged by the Department) to make the application on the student’s behalf.
- The Cairnmillar Institute will consider students’ applications as soon as practicable and notify them of the decision about the application, together with a statement of reasons for the decision. If an application for a re−credit is accepted, the amount re−credited will be equal to the amount of HELP assistance received by the student for the affected units of study.
Record keeping
- It is suggested best practice for students to retain assessments, records of competencies or statements of attainment that they receive from their education provider.
The Cairnmillar Institute makes every effort to collect, use and then destroy your information in accordance with its Privacy Policy and in accordance with Australian Privacy Laws.
Your personal information is collected at application, acceptance and during enrolment. To provide your education and meet our legal obligations, your information may be shared with government agencies and/or other approved parties, for the purposes of government reporting, HELP loans, tuition protection or other legal and compliance purposes.
Cairnmillar’s formal Privacy Policy can be found here.
Current grade scale (2018 onwards)
Graded results (marked out of 100)
| WAM/Marks | Description |
| 80-100% | First-Class Honours |
| 70-79% | Second-Class Honours (Level A) |
| 60-69% | Second-Class Honours (Level B) |
| 50-59% | Pass |
| 0-49% | Fail |
Ungraded and Other
| CP | Completed Pass. Satisfactorily complete (competency-based or pass/fail unit) |
| INC | Incomplete/Pending |
| LWD | Late Withdrawal (Fail) |
| NYE | Not Yet Examined |
| NYS | Not Yet Submitted |
| RPL | Recognition of Prior Learning |
Historical grading schema (2012 and prior)
| H1 | 80-100% | First-Class Honours (excellent) |
| H2A | 75-79% | Second-Class Honours Level A (very good) |
| H2B | 70-74% | Second-Class Honours Level B (good) |
| H3 | 65-69% | Third-Class Honours (competent) |
| P | 50-64% | Pass (satisfactory) |
| F | 0-49% | Fail (not satisfactory) |
| NYE | – | Not Yet Examined |
| NYS | – | Not Yet Submitted |
| RPL | – | Recognition of Prior Learning |
See also: TLP002 Assessment Policy and Procedure.
For further information about current or historic results and grading systems at the Cairnmillar Institute, please contact [email protected].
Pathways & Registration (2)
Please see the Cairnmillar Professional Psychology Info Sheet for more information on our 5+1 programs and Dual Masters options.
In Australia, psychology and psychologist are restricted titles and protected by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).
Psychotherapist and counsellor are not legally regulated titles in Australia, however they are professionally regulated by their accrediting associations, the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA) and the Australian Counselling Association (ACA). These associations have particular training standards, to ensure the quality of counselling and psychotherapy education and practice. In order to obtain professional insurance and maintain required standards of their professional practice, practitioners should join PACFA or ACA.
For more information, visit our Pathways & Registration page.
References & HODSPA (1)
You need to do your best to provide a strong application, including choosing referees who can best attest to your suitability for a professional career in psychology or counselling and psychotherapy.
Examples of an academic referee include:
- Teachers
- Tutors
- Lecturers
- Research supervisors
These referees need to be able to comment on your writing and research abilities, as well as your suitability for a career in your chosen field. For the Master of Clinical Psychology (Post Registration), you can use your professional supervisor as an academic referee.
Examples of professional referees include:
- Employers/managers
- Volunteer coordinators
- Representatives from an organisation you volunteer for (e.g. a Lifeline team leader)
- Professional counsellor or psychologists
- Any other relevant person you have worked with, who can comment on your work ethic and your personal qualities with some authority.
Referees should not be close friends and should not be related to you.
We do not answer questions about the suitability of your choice of referees and do not pre-assess applications. If you need help in finding suitable referees and making the best application possible, we suggest that you speak to your current academic advisors, or someone you know in the fields of counselling or psychology.
We are a small school and cannot provide tailored support to all applicants. Ultimately applicants are responsible for finding suitable referees who know them well enough to comment on the relevant areas of their ability.
Tuition Fees & FEE-HELP (1)
Important dates, including census dates and when upfront payments are due can be found in the Academic Calendar, found on our Key Dates page here.
First time tuition fee payments for 2023 will be due on 3 February 2023 for intensive units and 17 February 2023 for Semester 1 units. Online eCAF forms to apply for FEE-HELP will be due by the same dates.
Semester 2 2023 tuition fees will be due on 21 July 2023.
For more information about tuition fees, click here.
Undergraduate Applications & VTAC (1)
“Admissions transparency means that prospective domestic undergraduate students can easily find good quality admissions information that allows them to compare courses and providers and make informed study choices” (TEQSA).
Information regarding Cairnmillar’s undergraduate degree, the Bachelor of Psychology and Counselling, can be found on the course page and our Undergraduate page.
Orientation (1)
Once students have accepted an offer, Orientation details will be made available via email and the student website myCMI.
Most courses will have at least two compulsory Orientation Days prior to classes starting (see Key Dates). Optional skills and preparation workshops will also run during the weeks prior to classes starting.
Links and information to RSVP will be communicated to students in due course.
Events (1)
Discover how personalised education can enhance your career at our Information Evenings
Our information evenings and open days are the best opportunity to learn the ins and outs of your dream course, whilst having the opportunity to talk directly to our experienced practitioners, researchers and excellent educators, as well as current students and alumni.
To find out about up next Open Day or Information Evening, please visit our dedicated page here.
Acknowledgement of Country
We acknowledge the Wurundjeri and Bunurong Peoples of the Kulin Nation as the Traditional Owners of the lands on which The Cairnmillar Institute is located, and we pay our respect to their Elders, past, present and emerging. We also extend these respects to any First Nations peoples engaging with these materials, and our services
Ash Thomas Yorta Yorta/Wiradjuri people There's a Lot Goin' On, 2025
Sometimes in life there’s lots of things goin’ on that can be hard and trying, or easy and happy, but my artwork gives me strength to see out the bad times. This is my Country before colonisation. The lines are like a map representing how our people shaped the Country with their spiritual connections told in songs and stories. The blue water and the red oxide land show my journey line with places I’ve stopped along the way. The small linear patches of dots are all the different mobs and families around Country. The brown patterns and shapes are mountain ridges and waterholes representing time past. The diamond patterns are from patterns on our old shields. Their colours represent connection to culture and the red dirt and many coloured sands that make up our beautiful Country. The group of Elders sitting with their spears are telling stories of Bunjil the eagle, our Creator, and passing down their knowledge of tracking and hunting. The goannas are my Ancestors watching, mesmerised, over their Country and culture.
This artwork was created through The Torch, a not-for-profit organisation that provides art, cultural and arts industry support to First Nations people currently in, or recently released, from Victorian prisons.