Frequently Asked Questions

What is the enrolment/payment procedure?

We offer several options for student enrolment, including online enrolment through our secure website, phone enrolment during office hours, and mail. If you choose to enrol online, simply browse our course list, select the course you wish to study, add it to your cart, and proceed through the checkout process to finalise your purchase.

Alternatively, you can call us on 1300 13 14 72 and one of our friendly staff will guide you through the enrolment process and arrange payment.

Payments may be made via PayPal, credit card, or bank deposit.

Note: International students are GST exempt and will thus be eligible to a 10% reduction in course fees. However, all overseas students are subject to a 20% International Student Levy (calculated on the total course fee amount, excluding GST).

When can I get started?

The Australian College of Aromatherapy specialises in distance education, and as such, all ACOA courses are designed for self-paced home study. Our courses are delivered electronically, and you may enrol and begin study at any time. Course materials for some study programs, when purchased on our website, will be available for immediate download (you will receive a link via email several minutes after the purchase is finalised). If you choose to enrol over the phone during business hours, we will send you the initial course materials via email, allowing you to get started as soon as possible.

Do you have payment plans?

Payment plans are available for our Specialist Certificate and Master Diploma courses only. While the most cost-effective way to purchase a course is to pay all fees upfront, we do offer easy payment plan options to assist you with payment.

If you decide to pay for your course with a payment plan, you will be required to pay the appropriate deposit upon enrolment, followed by a specified number of monthly payments.

A $15.00 administration fee will be applied monthly for all overdue fee payments.

When you enrol with a payment plan, you are liable for all payments, even if you discontinue your study. Failure to remit payment may result in the debt being referred to a debt collection agency for recovery, or legal action. Costs will be payable to the debtor.

How long is the course duration?

Students are expected to complete their course within the allowable time allocated to that program of study. Each course or program of study has a specific allowable time frame, and you will be informed of the study completion date for your course in an email from the College upon enrolment. Please see individual course pages for more information.

I haven't studied for a long time! Will I find it too difficult?

Many students worry that they will not be able to return to study after leaving the books behind for so long. However, ACOA staff are here to help you achieve your education goals. As our courses are fully self-paced, and can be completed from the comfort of your home, we cater to your schedule, and there is no undue pressure or competition to cause you stress. If you are having trouble, please don't hesitate to give us a call - our friendly tutors and staff will gladly assist you to overcome any problems you may face along the way.

Do I need to register an account to shop online or enrol in courses with the Australian College of Aromatherapy?

No. You can browse our website, including all resources and information, as well as shop for products and purchase courses, without an ACOA account. During the checkout process, you will be given the option to log in using an existing ACOA account, if you have one. If not, you can simply complete the checkout as normal without an account, or choose to create a free account that you can use for future visits to our website. Creating an account makes it easy for customers and students to track purchases, view their order history, and store their details for future transactions.

Do I require any prior skills, or need any extra books or resources?

You will need basic computer skills and access to a .pdf reader such as Adobe, as well as a program capable of editing Microsoft Word documents (e.g. Microsoft Word, LibreOffice Suite, Google Docs, etc.), in order to view course materials and complete your assessments. It may be necessary to purchase some essential oils for practical assessments, where applicable. Regarding course content, students are supplied with all essential reference material in their lessons. We do, however, recommend extracurricular reading, as some assessments will encourage additional research by the student. If you have any questions about recommended reading resources, please contact the College and we will be happy to assist you.

What happens if I need to stop studying for a while (e.g. Illness, holiday, etc.)?

Simply contact the College to apply for an extension to your allowable study time. It is fine to take a break, but please contact us, as individual arrangements must be made with each student to determine length and terms of extension, including any adjustments to payment plans, assessment deadlines, etc.

Do you offer RPL (Recognition of Prior Learning)?

Yes! Where applicable, RPL can save students both time and money.

For previous or current ACOA students enrolling in a new course, Recognition of Prior Learning will be applied automatically toward any relevant areas in the new program (Certificate or Diploma).

If you have previously studied at an educational institution other than ACOA, we will assess your previous studies so that you only need to study competencies not already achieved. RPL assessment may attract a fee, but ultimately can help to reduce course fees and study time. Please contact the College if you have any further questions about RPL.

How do I contact a tutor?

Tutor support is available to all current students. To get in touch, you can either phone or email the College.

How can I learn more about aromatherapy and essential oils?

ACOA has lots of free information available on our website, and we regularly update our Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest pages with helpful tips, information, recipes, and educational content. In addition, the ACOA shop is stocked with some fantastic books, charts, oils, and other learning materials available for purchase. Or, why not study a course with us? The options for learning are limitless!

Can I get a refund?

In the unlikely event that ACOA cancels a course, current students actively participating in that study program will be entitled to a full refund, otherwise no refund will be granted. ACOA reserves the right to change policies, procedures, and prices without notice.

Will I be able to get insurance and practice?

Our Master Aromatherapist Diploma program will enable you to gain access to insurance and start practising within the scope of your qualifications and education. This Diploma is a work-ready qualification approved by the International Institute for Complementary Therapists (IICT). Graduates are eligible to register for membership and insurance with the IICT.

The IICT is a professional membership and insurance organisation for natural therapists. Once you have enrolled in a course with ACOA, you may be eligible to become a student member of the IICT.