For homestudy and additional programs, visit our Online Campus
“It was great to learn massage and be able to take my qualifications home. One of the best parts of the program is the variety of specialised modules. This allowed me to explore a range of massage techniques.” Lukas Costa
Massage has been a fundamental tool for restoring health and well-being. This unique profession blends ancient healing with modern science allowing the therapist to experience a truly unique feeling of directly improving the health and well-being of a client.
In class, students will learn how to deal with a wide range of problems utilising basic and advanced massage techniques. Our massage therapy programs focus on “hands-on” learning. This allows students to put theory into practice. Students practise their skills in our Student Clinic. This is a great opportunity to learn massage skills in a real life setting.
Campus Locations
Massage programs are currently available at the following campus locations:
- Sydney Campus
- Brisbane Campus
- Melbourne Campus
- Perth Campus
Available Massage Courses
Certificate IV in Massage Therapy
The Certificate IV in Massage Therapy is the national qualification that allows you to work as a professional massage therapist in Australia.
Module Overview:
Click here for the units of competency in this national qualification.
Entry Requirements
Certificate IV in Massage Therapy has no academic prerequisites. As this is a manual therapy, you will need to have a reasonable level of fitness in order to perform massage treatments. You will also need English proficiency as well as reading, writing and numeracy skills.
MODULE 1 – Massage Foundations
In Massage Foundations students will learn a full body Swedish massage sequence. The module enables total beginners as well as students with some knowledge of massage to reach a clinical standard within a short amount of time.
Students will also be taught proper body mechanics when treating a client and how to avoid common mistakes when massaging.
MODULE 2 – Massage Techniques
In Massage Techniques, Students will build further on their range of massage skills and learn Deep Tissue massage techniques. These techniques will focus on treating conditions such as headaches, sciatic pain, rotator cuff injuries etc.
Students will have the opportunity to practice the massage techniques on the classroom as well as receive massages in return.
MODULE 3– Provide FIRST AID
Evidence of a current Apply First Aid Certificate is required. Part time student can choose to complete this externally at their own convenience and at their own cost or pay a supplement to undertake the school’s first aid workshop. Fulltime students will have this workshop included in their program.
MODULE 4 – Heath Science
This module provides the knowledge of the structure and function of the systems of the body and how each system relates to the body as a whole. By understanding each system of the body the massage therapist can better plan the massage treatment for their client.
MODULE 5 – Safe Work Practices
In this module you will learn about the importance of infection control guidelines, hazard identification procedures and strategies for prevention of manual handling injuries. Workplace Health & Safety requirements according to legislation and codes of practice are examined.
MODULE 6 – The Massage Business
This module teaches students the skills required to provide administration for massage therapy practice. It looks at the introductory skills and knowledge required to work effectively in a healthcare setting. This includes managing interactions with patients, clients, staff, visitors, suppliers and others to meet established work requirements.
MODULE 7 – Professional Practice
This module teaches students the skills and knowledge required to evaluate and enhance own practice through a process of reflection and ongoing professional development. It applies to remedial massage therapists to take pro-active responsibility for their own professional development.
MODULE 8 – Student Clinic – Certificate IV in Massage
As part of your program, students get to experience a real world massage clinic! The Student Clinic – Certificate IV in Massage module involves the student role playing real life clinical skills and then demonstrating these skills in a number of practical settings.
All students will undertake a minimum of 80 hours of client consultation work. 60 of these client consultation and treatment hours are completed under direct supervision of a qualified trainer on campus*.
Additional clinic practical hours are added to fulltime programs to allow fulltime students to learn and develop their massage skills during the timeframe of their course. Whereas part time or distance students will need to plan for their own additional self-learning and massage practice as required to develop their massage skills.
*National training package requirements determine that client consultation must be undertaking under direct supervision of a qualified trainer and assessor. If a student has a suitable work place supervisor with national Trainer and Assessor qualifications it may be possible to conduct clinic hours there. If this is something a student would like to propose, the student should first send a request to do their clinic hours externally and attached the resume of their proposed supervisor and copy of their national Trainer and Assessor qualifications for review. Note additional fees for managing off campus clinic supervision may apply.
Diploma of Remedial Massage
This qualification is recommended for practitioners looking to upgrade their skills and education qualifications. The Diploma of Remedial Massage offers more advanced massage techniques
Module Overview:
Click here for the Units of Competency in this national qualification.
Entry Requirements
The Diploma of Remedial Massage has no academic prerequisites. As this is a manual therapy, you will need to have a reasonable level of fitness in order to perform massage treatments. You will also need English proficiency as well as reading, writing and numeracy skills.
The Diploma of Remedial Massage shares modules 1-7 of the Certificate IV in Massage program and the addition of:
MODULE 8 – Student Clinic – Diploma of Massage
As part of your program, students get to experience a real world massage clinic! The Student Clinic – Diploma of Massage module involves the student role playing real life clinical skills and then demonstrating these skills in a number of practical settings.
All students will undertake a minimum of 200 hours of client consultation work. 150 of these client consultation and treatment hours are completed under direct supervision of a qualified trainer on campus*.
Additional clinic practical hours are added to fulltime programs to allow fulltime students to learn and develop their massage skills during the timeframe of their course. Whereas part time or distance students will need to plan for their own additional self-learning and massage practice as required to develop their massage skills.
*National training package requirements determine that client consultation must be undertaking under direct supervision of a qualified trainer and assessor. If a student has a suitable work place supervisor with national Trainer and Assessor qualifications it may be possible to conduct clinic hours there. If this is something a student would like to propose, the student should first send a request to do their clinic hours externally and attached the resume of their proposed supervisor and copy of their national Trainer and Assessor qualifications for review. Note additional fees for managing off campus clinic supervision may apply.
MODULE 9 – Sport Massage
In Sports Massage, Students will build further on their range of massage skills and learn Sports massage techniques. Not just limited to athletes, these techniques will focus on treatments for client recovery, performance and rehabilitation.
MODULE 10-12 – Remedial Massage Techniques A,B,C
In Remedial Massage Techniques modules, Students will learn to prepare for and provide remedial massage treatments based on the outcomes of an existing health assessment and treatment plan. This can include treatments for a wide variety of clients including those presenting with soft tissue dysfunction, musculoskeletal imbalance or restrictions in range of motion (ROM).
MODULE 13 – Nutrition
This module teaches the student to interpret and use basic information about nutritional principles and healthy diet. It applies to working with your clients within the limits of the Australian dietary guidelines and to make referrals to other health professionals or accredited practising dietitians when those limits are exceeded.
MODULE 14 – Advanced Health Science
This module builds furthers the students foundation knowledge of Health Science and the knowledge of the structure and function of the systems of the body and how each system relates to the body as a whole. It introduces pathophysiology and learning of the disordered physiological processes associated with disease or injury.
MODULES 15-20 – Specialisation Modalities
Helping our graduates to set themselves apart from other therapists in the industry, the specialisation modalities allow students to learn a variety of specialty massages.
The current Specialisation Modalities include: Deep Tissue, Pregnancy, Aromatherapy, Reflexology, Rehabilitation and Lymphatic Drainage. These modalities may be subject to change from time to time.
Job outcomes
There are many career paths for massage therapists. Some examples of career options include::
- Massage Clinics
- Self-employed massage therapist
- Mobile massage
- Wellness centres
- Chiropractic or physiotherapy clinics
- Health clubs & fitness centres
- Corporate massage
- Working directly with sports teams and athletes
- Working in spa resorts, on cruise ships or in beauty and hair salons
Health Fund Provider Information
Do the massage qualifications delivered by the ALG meet all private health fund standards?Firstly note all of the 50 health funds are setting the own unique set of education criteria. But in considering the general set of education criteria health funds are publishing the following general advice can be given.Mode of study – the mode of study i.e. full time classroom versus distance education can impact if a health fund accepts a qualification for provider eligibility. Generally speaking programs that are done either as full time classroom programs or module based progams with predominantly classroom based modules are meeting the standards or all health fund standards at this present time. Programs that are complete by predominantly by distance education are not being accepted by health funds.
Certificate IV in Massage Therapy – some health funds will still accept the Certificate IV in Massage Therapy qualification to apply for provider status with their organisation.
Diploma of Remedial Massage (versions HLT50307 and HLT52015) are generally meeting the requirements of all health funds, when completed in classroom programs or module based programs with predominantly classroom choice modules.
Recognition of Prior Learning Credits – most health funds accept any course credits granted to student based on RPL. However, some health funds have indicated that RPL credits may not be acceptable if this prior learning the credits were based on did not meet their standards.
We note that these are guidelines only and subject to further changes of individual health funds. Students are advised to speak with their chosen industry association for the most provider eligibility criteria from each health fund.
More information on massage courses can be found in our brochures, timetables and course fees or by speak with our Student advisors.
Further Information
See what our students have to say!
en”>
