Entry Requirements

The system of Student Selection employed by this College is not solely dependant on the school results of candidates. Our aim is to attract students from diverse backgrounds, who will enhance the development of the Natural Therapies Profession.

Consequently, applications are encouraged from both school leavers with formal qualifications and from people who have had appropriate experience in other fields since leaving school.  

Essential Learning Skills required by all learners include:

 willingness to be introduced to new concepts; keeping an open mind to all aspects of information provided; ability to take notes in a lecture situation; ability to devote time to study at home and an ability to communicate effectively.  

The SA College of Natural Medicine does not limit access to the courses on the basis of age, gender, social or educational background.  

Some occupations have requirements of a physical nature which some participants may find difficult with certain disabilities. For example massage therapy may involve periods of standing and strenuous physical exertion for long periods of time. Career guidance is available to all learners. Learners and successful graduates of the college include those with physical and learning disabilities.  

The college has always had a policy of providing support for any person having difficulty with either physical or academic aspects of the course.  

Learners with specific difficulties will be advised as to the best course option that will not be affected by their disability.  

Certificate 2 and 3

Applicants must be at least 15 years of age (Certificate 2 & 3) and / or demonstrated competence at AQF Level 2 in a relevant area (Certificate 3 only).  

Applicants for the Certificate 3 in Applied Anatomy & Physiology for Body Workers must have training and posses a qualification from a field of natural / traditional therapy (for example: Bowen Therapy or Tai Chi).

Certificate 4

Applicants must be at least 15 years of age and / or successfully completed competencies contributing towards a Certificate 3 or 4 in a relevant area.

Diploma

Entry into Diploma Courses requires completion of any one of the following: South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE) year 11 or equivalent; Certificate 3 or higher in a relevant field; any equivalent qualification or higher education, or eligibility to apply for Mature Age Entry.  

Advanced Diploma of Applied Science

Entry into Advanced Diploma Courses requires completion of any one of the following: South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE) year 12 or equivalent; Certificate 4 or higher in a relevant field; any equivalent qualification or higher education, or eligibility to apply for Mature Age Entry.  

English  

Students who have not formally studied English will be required to demonstrate an ability to effectively communicate and complete basic library-based research. Competence in English skills can be demonstrated by completion of an entrance assignment and examination, or by successful completion of the bridging course Research & Referencing Skills as offered by the College.  

Mature Age Entry into Diploma and Advanced Diploma Courses

The mature age applicant (over 21 years) who does not meet the above requirements will be required to demonstrate an ability to effectively communicate and complete the bridging course Research & Referencing Skills as offered by the College.

 Personal interviews are conducted by the Principal, Student Counsellor or Enrolment officer. During this interview, such factors as motivation, personality, sensitivity, maturity, attitude, the ability to communicate, and commitment to Natural and Traditional Therapies are assessed.  

Overseas Students: Minimum English Language Requirement

Students for whom English is not their first language are required to demonstrate competence in English skills. This can be demonstrated by completion of any one of the following English tests which will be accepted as satisfying the SA College of Natural Medicine English language requirements for undergraduate programs:

SAT Test score of 50 or better

Australian Second Language Proficiency Rating (ASLPR) 2+

IELTS – 5.5

GCE English language ‘O’ Level - Grade C

Malaysia – English 1119 ‘O’ Level – Grade C

TOEFL 550

Skills Recognition

Skills Recognition (Recognition of Prior Learning and Recognition of Current Competencies

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and Recognition of Current Competencies (RCC) are the processes whereby recognition is given to you by the college for knowledge or skills that you already have.  

Competency is defined as the ability to do something well or effectively.  

You may have gained your competency in a number of different ways, not always from processes involving formal education:  

Learning for which an award (Government Accredited) has been granted.  offered by a TAFE, University or Private Educational Institution.  

Learning for which an award (Non-Accredited) has been granted.  offered by a Professional Body, Private Educational Institution, Enterprise (Public or Private Company) Sponsored, Continuing Education Courses.  

Learning for which no award has been granted. This may include life and work experiences or community service, military training, employment, hobbies …

How To Apply For RPL Or RCC

Have an appointment with a Careers Guidance Counsellor if you need help with the first part of the process  

Complete the application form  

Gather your evidence for the competencies for which you  are seeking recognition  

Have an appointment with a Careers Guidance Counsellor if  you need help with gathering evidence  

Submit your application  

Receive feedback on your application  

Receive the results of your application  

If you feel that you should be awarded more recognition  than has been granted, please contact one of our RPL assessors who can outline the appeals process for you.  

Give us feedback on the process  

Upon a favourable decision by the Principal to grant recognition, the applicant will be notified, in writing, of the specific RPL / RCC. If the evaluation does not result in approval of RPL / RCC, the student may request a challenge assessment to prove competency.

Credit transfer

Credit Transfer is a formal agreement between institutions which defines the credit value of specific courses. Where a formal agreement exists credit transfer is available automatically to students who have documented evidence of achievements in the relevant course.   

Graduates of the massage course – Certificate 4 in Tactile Therapies – offered by the Australian College of Tactile Therapies are eligible for substantial credit transfer into the Diploma of Naturopathy or the Advanced Diploma of Applied Science (Naturopathy). Students studying the Certificate 4 in Tactile Therapies can arrange to complete both courses concurrently.  

You are also able to study specially moulded Double Diplomas, including Naturopathy & Massage, Naturopathy & Herbal Medicine, Naturopathy & Nutrition, in all cases these Double Diplomas can include the Certificate 4 in Tactile Therapies.