GDC
Graduate Diploma (AQF Level 8)
TEQSA
Online Study
1 Year (Full Time)
The Graduate Diploma of Counselling (Holistic Practice) – Online is a one-year postgraduate program designed for those beginning their journey into the healing professions – or seeking a transformative, fully remote pathway into therapeutic work grounded in presence, depth, and care.
Delivered entirely online, this version of our Graduate Diploma offers the same rich, process-oriented curriculum as our blended mode – with added flexibility for those who are unable to attend in-person intensives.
It’s ideal for:
International students
Practitioners who already hold PACFA-recognised training
Individuals not seeking PACFA accreditation
Those looking to deepen their understanding of holistic therapeutic practice through a flexible study model
Rooted in process-oriented psychology and integrative methodology, the course honours the full spectrum of the human experience – mind, body, soul, and spirit. You’ll explore the foundational principles of holistic counselling while cultivating the presence, inner clarity, and relational awareness required to support meaningful change.
Whether you’re pursuing a new career, building on previous study, or seeking personal and professional growth, this program offers a supportive and experiential introduction to the Metavision Model. For some, it will be a powerful standalone qualification. For others, it may become a stepping stone to further study or practice in holistic healing.
While this version of the course does not meet PACFA requirements due to the absence of in-person intensives, it offers a compelling alternative for those called to conscious, heart-led work – from anywhere in the world.
Admission is based on Metavision’s general entry requirements. View the full Admission Criteria.
The Metavision Model is the heart of our training — an integrative, process-oriented framework that cultivates presence, depth, and conscious development in both practitioner and client.
Grounded in holistic philosophy and transpersonal psychology, the model supports students to develop advanced self-awareness, ethical integrity, and attuned therapeutic skills. You’ll learn to work with the whole person — mind, body, and spirit — while building the capacity to hold space for complex human experiences through relational, embodied presence.
Graduates of this program emerge with a strong foundation in research, reflective practice, and process-oriented methodologies, including the ability to conduct both literature-based and autobiographical research. Our aim is to support the formation of practitioners who have truly “done the work” – those who can guide others on a path of integration, transformation, and expanded consciousness.
Whether you are entering this field for the first time or seeking to deepen and formalise existing practice, the Metavision Model offers a comprehensive, compassionate, and future-focused approach to healing and helping work.
At Metavision, we welcome applicants from diverse paths – those drawn to conscious, holistic practice and ready to explore the inner and outer work of becoming a therapeutic practitioner.
Entry into the Graduate Diploma of Counselling (Holistic Practice) online requires one of the following:
Applicants must have either:
A qualification from a university or registered higher education provider at AQF Level 7 (Bachelor’s degree) or higher, which includes counselling skills training,
or
Relevant work experience, prior training, or practice in a related field, even if you do not hold an undergraduate degree.*
In addition, applicants must:
Meet English language proficiency requirements (if your previous qualification was not delivered in English), and
Attend an admissions interview.
If you don’t meet these criteria, you may still be eligible to apply through our Portfolio for Admission pathway. We encourage you to reach out to discuss your individual circumstances.
If you meet the academic entry requirements but have not completed prior counselling skills training, you’ll be required to undertake a Metavision Bridging Course before commencing the program.
This ensures all students begin their journey with the foundational counselling skills and self-awareness needed to engage fully in the course. Our Bridging Courses are designed to support you into the program with confidence and clarity.
More details: Holistic Skills Counselling Course
We recognise that not all learning happens through formal qualifications — and that real-world experience can be just as valuable.
If you don’t hold an undergraduate degree, you may still be eligible to apply for our programs through the Portfolio for Admission pathway. This flexible entry route is designed for applicants with significant relevant life experience, informal training, or non-traditional educational backgrounds.
To qualify, you must demonstrate:
A minimum of three years of full-time equivalent relevant professional experience and training within the past ten years, in a cognate field such as counselling, community services, healthcare, education, or human services.
Evidence of your capacity to engage in postgraduate study, assessed through a written portfolio and interview.
Additionally, students may be eligible for up to 50% credit toward the Graduate Diploma through Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) or previous accredited study.
For full details, please refer to our policies:
Credit Transfer & Recognition of Prior Learning
Student Transfer Policy Guidelines
If you’re unsure whether you meet the requirements, we encourage you to get in touch. We’re here to support you in finding the right entry pathway.
In 2024, the nested Graduate Diploma and Masters course had approximately 45 enrolled students.
At Metavision, assessment is part of a meaningful learning journey – designed to help you integrate theory with practice, and build confidence as a reflective, competent practitioner.
You’ll be supported to demonstrate your understanding through a variety of learning tasks that align with each unit’s outcomes – from written reflections and case studies to research projects and applied skills assessments. All assessments are mapped to clearly defined graduate attributes, with detailed rubrics to ensure fairness and consistency.
You’ll receive constructive feedback throughout, helping you refine your skills and grow as both a student and future therapist.
To stay on track, students are expected to:
If a student is at risk of academic difficulty – such as missing attendance milestones or receiving a failing grade – they will be invited to meet with the Academic Director (Higher Education) to discuss their circumstances and create a support plan. You’re welcome to bring a support person to this meeting.
As a fully online program, there are no in-person workshop intensives required for the Graduate Diploma of Counselling (Holistic Practice) – Online.
However, students are expected to actively engage with all scheduled online learning activities – including live discussion sessions and experiential components – to gain the most from the program. A minimum of 80% attendance at online sessions is strongly recommended to ensure a rich and integrated learning experience.
While this version of the course does not meet PACFA accreditation requirements (due to the absence of in-person intensives), it offers a flexible and immersive alternative for those who do not require PACFA registration or already hold it through other qualifications.
The Online Graduate Diploma of Counselling (Holistic Practice) provides a flexible, accessible entry point into the world of holistic counselling and psychotherapy. It’s designed for those who may already hold PACFA-recognised qualifications, international students, or those who wish to deepen their therapeutic practice without the need for in-person intensives.
Graduates emerge with the foundational skills, presence, and psychological insight to support others across a range of settings where deep listening, emotional intelligence, and relational care are essential.
Potential pathways include:
While this course is not PACFA-accredited on its own, it is well suited to students who do not require professional registration in Australia or already meet those requirements through other qualifications.
The demand for qualified, compassionate counsellors continues to grow. According to the Australian Government’s Job Outlook, the counselling profession is expected to see strong growth, with an increasing need for practitioners who can offer holistic, ethical, and embodied support in diverse environments.
Reference: Australian Government. Job outlook: Psychotherapists.
The Australian Government does not track psychotherapy as an occupation; however, psychotherapy is included as a skilled migration occupation.
The Graduate Diploma of Counselling (Holistic Practice) – Online is an accredited Higher Education qualification at AQF Level 8, approved by the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA).
While this program is not a PACFA Core Education Program, it offers a rigorous academic foundation in holistic counselling and psychotherapy. It is particularly suited to students who:
This online qualification also serves as a potential pathway into Metavision’s Master of Counselling and Psychotherapy (Holistic Practice) – Online, for students who wish to continue their studies in a fully remote format.
Whether you’re beginning a new chapter or expanding your current practice, this program provides a flexible, supported, and transformative entry point into the field of holistic counselling.
Whether you’re feeling the call or simply curious, we invite you to take the next step toward the Graduate Diploma of Counselling (Holistic Practice) Online.
Let’s walk this path together.
Payment plans are available to support your financial wellbeing, allowing you to spread your course fees across manageable instalments throughout your studies.
For full details on current fees and payment options, please contact our admissions team or visit the Fees & Payment Information page.
| Credit Points | Cost per CP | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Units 101 – 108 | x 26 | $865.00 AUD | $22,490.00 AUD |
Early bird pricing available of $500.00 AUD off the price. Based on application and enrolment fee received before the 30th November 2025.
In addition to tuition, students should budget for the following course-related costs:
If you have questions about any of these costs or need support planning financially, our team is here to help.
Applicants who meet the academic entry requirements but have not completed prior counselling skills training will need to complete a Metavision Bridging Course before beginning the Graduate Diploma.
This short, skills-based course provides the essential foundations in counselling practice and communication — ensuring you enter the program prepared to engage deeply in our holistic, experiential learning model.
Course fee: $1,500 AUD
More details: Foundational Counselling Skills
Students may withdraw from enrolled units before the Census Date and receive a full refund of unit tuition fees. Please note, the enrolment deposit is non-refundable.
Withdrawals made after the Census Date are not typically eligible for a refund. However, students experiencing extenuating circumstances may apply for special consideration by submitting a Fee Refund Application Form.
More details: Fee Refund Policy
The tables below outline important dates for each intake.
Some dates are marked as TBA (To Be Advised) and may be subject to change. Students will be notified promptly of any updates to the schedule.
The Census Date applies to all units within that semester and is the date in which full enrolment charges will apply.
Can’t wait until March 2026 to begin? We’re offering an intake this November, where you can commence your first unit over the summer period and get a head start on your studies.
| 2025 | Start Date | Census Date | End Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| November Summer Intake | 10th November 2025 | 1st December 2025 | 12th February 2026 |
| 2026 | Start Date | Census Date | End Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | 9th March | 30th March | 26th June |
| Semester 2 | 27th July | 17th August | 13th November |
1. Disciplinary Knowledge and Integration | Exhibit advanced knowledge of holistic counselling and psychotherapy, integrating transdisciplinary theoretical foundations with emerging developments in process-oriented and relational practice. |
2. Ethical and Professional Integrity | Demonstrate high ethical standards and professional responsibility by adhering to recognised codes of practice, maintaining client welfare, and exercising sound judgement in complex and diverse contexts. |
3. Reflective Practice and Self-Awareness | Engage in critically reflective practice through inner work, supervision, and self-evaluation, enabling personal growth and the development of professional insight. |
4. Holistic and Systemic Thinking | Demonstrate an understanding of the dynamic interplay between body, mind, self, and environment, and will apply this awareness to therapeutic relationships, social systems, and community wellbeing. |
5. Communication and Relational Skills | Communicate effectively and empathetically with clients, peers, and stakeholders, demonstrating deep listening, intercultural sensitivity, and the capacity to hold therapeutic space. |
6. Research and Inquiry | Evaluate and apply relevant research methodologies, theories, and evidence-based practices to support effective clinical work and contribute to the broader field of holistic psychotherapy. |
7. Lifelong Learning and Professional Development | Possess the skills for ongoing personal and professional development, adapting to evolving knowledge, practice standards, and the needs of diverse client populations. |
CLO | Course Learning Outcome | AQF8 / PACFA Alignment | Graduate Attributes |
1 | Demonstrate advanced knowledge of holistic counselling theory and process-oriented methodologies. | AQF8: Knowledge PACFA 1.1, 1.2 | 1. Disciplinary Knowledge and Integration |
2 | Apply holistic counselling interventions ethically and professionally across diverse client contexts. | AQF8: Skills/Application PACFA 2.2, 2.5 | 2. Ethical and Professional Integrity |
3 | Demonstrate self-awareness and reflectively integrate personal insight into therapeutic practice. | AQF8: Skills PACFA 2.4 | 3. Reflective Practice and Self-Awareness |
4 | Communicate effectively with clients and peers using process-oriented frameworks. | AQF8: Communication PACFA 3.1, 3.3 | 5. Communication and Relational Skills |
5 | Critically analyse the role of power, culture, and deep democracy in counselling practice. | AQF8: Skills PACFA 1.3, 2.3 | 4. Holistic and Systemic Thinking |
6 | Plan, document, and evaluate holistic counselling processes with professional accountability. | AQF8: Application PACFA 3.4 | 7. Lifelong Learning and Professional Development |
This unit explores the evolution of holistic counselling and psychotherapy, beginning with the early foundations of modern psychology.
Students will be introduced to the influential insights of Freud and Jung, while also tracing the emergence of more integrative, soul-centred approaches that recognise the complexity of the human psyche.
Through reflection and dialogue, students begin to understand the diverse theoretical roots that inform holistic practice today.
At the heart of holistic counselling is the practitioner’s own journey of self-awareness. This unit invites students into deep inner exploration, developing reflective skills and embodied presence.
Through experiential exercises and personal inquiry, students begin to cultivate the inner stability and compassion necessary to hold space for others.
This unit offers a rich exploration of human consciousness through a holistic lens. Drawing on the spiritual-scientific work of Rudolf Steiner and related thinkers, students examine the human being as a multi-layered, evolving presence.
The content supports students in expanding their understanding of health, development, and the deeper nature of the self.
This introductory unit lays the foundation for process-oriented psychotherapy, inspired by the work of Arnold Mindell. Students engage with concepts such as the dreambody, the continuum of consciousness, and the influence of quantum physics and field theory – all explored in practical, experiential ways that ground theory in lived understanding.
Building on the foundation of process work, this unit offers hands-on practices for working with the body’s subtle messages and the symbolic language of dreams.
Students learn to tune in to sensory experience, bodily symptoms, and dream material as meaningful guides in the therapeutic process.
This unit deepens students’ capacity to work with interpersonal and intrapsychic conflict.
Exploring diversity, power dynamics, and Mindell’s four-phase conflict theory, students are guided to approach difference with curiosity, openness, and deep democracy — supporting healing and resolution in relational spaces.
This unit introduces holistic approaches to mental health, blending contemporary models like the recovery approach with process-oriented perspectives.
Students explore how altered states of consciousness can be understood and held with depth, compassion, and awareness – expanding their capacity to meet clients in varied psychological landscapes.
This unit grounds students in the ethical, legal, and social foundations of professional counselling practice.
Through case discussion, supervision, and reflective inquiry, students learn to hold themselves accountable with integrity while developing the confidence to work with clients safely, ethically, and within scope of practice.
Rose Harvey
Course Coordinator
Associate Lecturer in Holistic Counselling
Whether you’re feeling the call or simply curious, we invite you to take the next step toward the Graduate Diploma of Counselling (Holistic Practice) Online.
Let’s walk this path together.
Yes. The Graduate Diploma of Counselling (Holistic Practice) – Online is an accredited Higher Education qualification at AQF Level 8, approved by TEQSA (Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency).
While it is not a PACFA Core Education Program, it provides a strong academic foundation for students who do not require PACFA registration or already hold recognised training.
It can also serve as a pathway to Metavision’s fully online Master’s program, for those seeking to deepen their studies remotely.
Absolutely. We offer flexible part-time pathways that allow you to complete the course at a gentler pace while balancing work, family, or other commitments.
Yes, you’ll need a Bachelor’s degree or higher, or if you don’t hold a degree, you may be eligible through an alternative pathway – please contact us to discuss your individual circumstances.
This fully online program includes a combination of live online seminars, self-paced study, guided reflections, and assessments. On average, students can expect to dedicate 9–10 hours per week for part-time study, and up to 18 hours per week for full-time study.
The program is designed to offer flexibility while maintaining the depth and integrity of a transformational learning experience.
Unfortunately, at the moment Metavision is not an approved FEE-HELP provider. However, we do have payment options available to allow you to spread course fee payments across the duration of your studies.
Stay connected on your journey — join our community to receive updates, reflections, and invitations to upcoming courses and events.
Metavision Institute is deeply grateful to the traditional custodians for their continuous custodianship and care of this unceded land and, specifically, Turrbal Country on which we live and work.
Read more about our Reconciliation Action Plan
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CRICOS Provider: 04454D
Our higher education courses are not offered to international students studying in Australia on a student visa.
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