ACAP University College (Australian College of Applied Professions): Fees, Courses & Guide
Written by Readystudyfly Editorial Team
Published 02 Oct 2026 · Updated 27 Oct 2026
ACAP University College, the Australian College of Applied Professions, is a specialist higher education provider focused on psychology, counselling, social work, criminology, and related human-service fields. Formerly the Australian College of Applied Psychology, it is registered by TEQSA in the university college category and has campuses in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, and Byron Bay, plus online study. This guide covers 2026 fees, courses, accreditation, and what international students should check.
Quick facts snapshot
- Institution: ACAP University College (Australian College of Applied Professions), formerly the Australian College of Applied Psychology
- Status: TEQSA-registered university college; part of the Navitas group
- Campuses: Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, and Byron Bay, plus online
- Bachelor of Psychological Science and Counselling (2026 international): A$3,829 per unit, A$30,632 for a full-time year (1.0 EFTSL), three years full-time
- Total for the bachelor (third-party estimate): about A$85,000 to A$92,000
- Fields: psychology, counselling, psychotherapy, social work, criminology and justice, and coaching
Rankings and reputation
ACAP is a specialist university college and is not ranked globally. What matters most is professional accreditation, such as the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council for psychology, counselling bodies such as PACFA and the ACA, and the Australian Association of Social Workers. Check each course.
Academics and signature programs
ACAP's courses combine theory with practical skills and supervised placements. Psychology students can follow an accredited sequence toward further study and registration, counselling students complete practice hours, and social work students complete field placements. Ask about accreditation and placements for your course.
Admissions and international eligibility
Entry depends on academic results and English, with higher English for counselling and social work. After an offer, you receive a Confirmation of Enrolment and apply for a student visa. International students must study on campus.
English language requirements
- English requirements depend on course; counselling and social work usually require higher scores
- Check ACAP's English requirements
- Placements require strong spoken English
- Confirm requirements before applying
Application checklist
A typical application includes transcripts, English results, and passport details. Some courses require interviews or police and working-with-children checks for placements.
Tuition, living costs, and scholarships
ACAP lists 2026 international fees for the Bachelor of Psychological Science and Counselling at A$3,829 per unit, or A$30,632 for a full-time year. Fees for other courses differ. Add the Student Services and Amenities Fee, OSHC, and living costs, and check whether the international fee is fixed for the whole course.
Estimated living costs
- Australian student visa applicants must show they can afford tuition, travel, and living costs
- Overseas Student Health Cover is compulsory for the length of the visa
- Student visa holders can work a limited number of hours in term under current rules
- Public transport concession fares are available in most cities
- Rents have risen in most Australian cities, so book housing early
Scholarships
Ask ACAP about scholarships for international students.
Campus life and student support
ACAP's campuses are city-centre buildings with teaching rooms and counselling practice spaces. The Byron Bay campus offers a coastal setting. Ask which courses run at each campus for international students.
Career outcomes and post-study work rights
Graduates work in counselling, community services, youth work, mental health, social work, justice, and human resources. Becoming a registered psychologist in Australia requires further accredited study and supervised practice. Ask for graduate outcomes.
Australia's Temporary Graduate visa
Eligible international graduates can apply for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485), which allows them to live and work in Australia after their studies, generally for two years after a bachelor's or coursework master's degree and longer after research degrees, with an age limit and study-requirement conditions. Rules change often, so confirm eligibility and current conditions with the Department of Home Affairs before relying on the visa.
The path to becoming a psychologist
In Australia, becoming a registered psychologist usually requires an accredited three-year undergraduate sequence, an accredited fourth year (honours or equivalent), and then a master's or supervised practice pathway. Check whether ACAP's course is accredited by APAC and how it fits this pathway.
Counselling accreditation
Counselling is self-regulated in Australia, and employers often look for membership of PACFA or the Australian Counselling Association. ACAP's counselling courses are designed for these memberships; check current accreditation status.
Choosing a campus
Sydney and Melbourne have the most placement options and highest rents. Brisbane, Perth, and Adelaide are often cheaper. Byron Bay is small and coastal. Check which courses are offered to international students at each campus.
Health insurance and pre-arrival preparation
Arrange Overseas Student Health Cover, prepare evidence of funds, and be ready to show you are a genuine student when applying for the visa. Budget for the visa application charge, flights, and a housing deposit.
What to expect in your first months
The first weeks involve orientation, enrolment, and learning how Australian assessment works, with tutorials, assignments, and exams. Students who use academic support and English workshops early adjust faster.
A realistic budget
At A$30,632 a year plus A$27,000 in living costs, a year could cost about A$58,000, or about A$170,000 for a three-year degree.
Questions to ask before you accept an offer
- Is my course accredited by the relevant professional body?
- Which campus offers my course for international students?
- How are placements arranged?
- What is the total course fee?
- What checks are needed for placements?
- Does the course qualify for the Temporary Graduate visa?
Who ACAP suits best
ACAP suits students committed to psychology, counselling, social work, or justice careers who want a specialist, practice-focused provider. It may suit less well students who want a broad university experience.
ACAP compared with universities
Universities offer psychology and social work within large faculties with research facilities. ACAP offers smaller classes and a practice focus. Compare accreditation, cost, and placements.
Step-by-step application roadmap
- Choose your course and check accreditation and fees.
- Confirm the English requirement and book a test if needed.
- Apply with transcripts and passport details.
- Accept your offer, pay the deposit, and receive your Confirmation of Enrolment.
- Apply for your student visa and arrange Overseas Student Health Cover.
- Book housing and attend orientation.
Preparing your documents early
Gather certified transcripts, English results, passport, and financial evidence several months before your intake. Keep written confirmation of fees, scholarships, and any pathway credit.
Social work and justice
ACAP offers social work degrees with field placements, leading to eligibility for membership of the Australian Association of Social Workers when accredited, and criminology and justice degrees for careers in corrections, policing support, and community services. Some placements need police and working-with-children checks.
Postgraduate study
ACAP offers postgraduate programmes in counselling, psychotherapy, social work, and psychology. Postgraduate counselling courses usually require supervised practice hours. Ask about entry requirements, accreditation, and placement arrangements.
Living costs and work
Australia's student visa requires evidence of funds for living costs, and student visa holders can generally work up to 48 hours a fortnight during study periods. Placements may limit time for paid work, so plan your budget.
A step-by-step checklist before paying
Confirm your course's professional accreditation, check which campus offers it to international students, confirm placement checks, get a written fee quote, and read the refund policy.
Questions for current students
If possible, speak with current ACAP students about placements, workload, and career outcomes. Their experience can help you judge whether it suits you and what to budget for in the first year.
Building a realistic budget
Budget for tuition, the Student Services and Amenities Fee, OSHC, rent, transport, food, textbooks, and placement costs such as police checks and travel. Sydney and Melbourne rents are the highest, so compare campuses. Keep a buffer for the first months.
Mistakes to avoid
Applicants sometimes choose a course without checking professional accreditation, or assume a psychology bachelor's degree leads straight to registration. Check the full pathway.
Planning your arrival
Arrive before orientation, set up a bank account, phone, and transport card, and complete any police or working-with-children checks early so placements are not delayed. Use ACAP's student support services from the first week.
Wellbeing and self-care
Studying counselling and psychology can be emotionally demanding, especially during placements. ACAP's courses emphasise reflective practice and self-care. Use support services if you need them.
Key takeaway
ACAP is a strong option for practice-focused human services study, provided you confirm accreditation and placement arrangements for your exact course and campus.
Frequently asked questions
How much does ACAP cost?
Where are ACAP's campuses?
Is ACAP a university?
What does ACAP teach?
Readystudyfly Editorial Team
Editorial Team
Guides researched and drafted by our editorial team, published on a daily schedule.
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