Click here to download the Units of Competency for this course.

The learner group for this course are those who are interested in undertaking a massage qualification and require a structured, classroom-based program with significant clinical experience.

This is an entry-level course and no previous skills or experience are necessary.

International students must:

• Be at least 18 years of age,
• Provide evidence of completing at least the equivalent of Australian Year 10,
• Successfully complete the Language, Literacy and Numeracy (LLN) online test as per ALG’s Language, Literacy and Numeracy Requirements Factsheet,
• Meet English Language Entry Requirements as per ALG’s English Proficiency Requirements Factsheet

A prospective student does not need to provide evidence of an English test score with their application if one of the following applies:

• Prospective student is a citizen and holds a passport from UK, USA, Canada, NZ or Republic of Ireland.
• Prospective student has completed at least 5 years’ study in English in one or more of the following countries: Australia, UK, USA, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, or the Republic of Ireland.
• Completed at least 6 months of a Certificate IV level course in an Australian RTO.

Please also note that if you are applying for more than one course with us, you will only need to complete the LLN online test once. Students returning to studies at ALG after a significant gap may be required to complete the LLN online test at the discretion of ALG.

This program is timetabled over 3 terms where a term is typically 10 weeks long. The volume of learning is 910 hours over a course duration of 38 – 40 weeks. For each term, students will be required to:
• Attend the face to face classroom training on the campus for 140 – 145 hours
• Engage in a self-structured study of 60 hours
• Engage in a self-directed study of 100 hours

Some students may find that they need more study time, and others will find that they can achieve the required level of knowledge and skills in less time than this estimate.

Training and Assessment

Your classroom learning will consist of both theory and practical components. Your classroom will have similar resources to those you will find in a massage clinic such as massage tables, massage oils, towels, educational and physical resources.

In theory classes, students will learn about the anatomy and physiology of the human body as well as the massage industry and its role in the complementary and broader health care industries. You will also undertake business planning, legislation in the massage industry, professional practices and workplace health and safety.

In your practical classes, you can expect to simulate interactions with clients, take case histories, plan and deliver treatments and record the treatments. These simulated learning activities will then be put into practice in the workplace during your clinical sessions with the general public.

You will also be required to undertake self-structured and self-directed learning which assist you in completing your assessments successfully.

A number of practical and skills-based assessments will be undertaken in class. Self-structured and self-directed learning will typically include (but not limited to):
• Review and reflection of in-class learning by answering or attempting the questions provided
• Reading ahead to prepare for the next class
• Self-practice of massage techniques on friends and family; or clients at work

A first aid course is also part of this qualification.

Assessment Methods
• Written Knowledge Assessments
• Role Play
• Case Studies
• Reflection
• Research
• Professional Practice
• Practical Skills
• Student Clinic

Student Clinic

You will be expected to perform 80 hours in our student clinic, which is open to the general public. Here you will have access to clients of all ages and backgrounds. You can hone your skills under the supervision of a Clinic Supervisor.

Training Locations
Your training will occur on campus. See timetable for campus details and locations

Campus Locations
Please refer to the course timetable for the campus locations.

Student Support

The primary learning support comes from the Academic Team.

The Student Experience Team offer support throughout a learner’s studies and can help with the following information:
• Support services
• LLN services (in collaboration with the Academic Team)
• Legal services
• Emergency and health services
• Facilities and resources
• Complaints and appeals processes
• Deferments

Additional sources of student services information available includes:
• Student Services Booklet
• ALG Student Handbook
• Online Student Centres – found on our websites
• Plus a variety of individual factsheets, flyers or electronic messages

Student Requirements
• Students should come prepared to start practical massage classes from their first day. For each practical class, students must bring 2 large towels and 3 hand towels.
• Students must wear comfortable and appropriate clothing and footwear.
• Students will be required to receive a massage from, and provide massage to, both females and males in practical classes and Student Clinic.
• Students are required to have short, clean nails, clean clothing and no strong body odours.
• Students must also be willing to be massaged by both male and female students in practical classes and the student clinic.
• Please refrain from smoking before conducting treatments to avoid odour from cigarette smoke affecting clients and fellow students.
• All students are encouraged to bring their own laptop or tablet device to class to access Canvas and eBook(s). Devices are not provided by ALG. Refer to the BYOD Policy in the student handbook.
• To maximise the chance of a student successfully completing their training, ALG attempts to identify any support individual learners need before their enrollment or commencement. One of the ways to identify learning needs is to ask all prospective students to self-assess. So before enrolling please ensure:
You can meet all course requirements (listed in this course overview)
 You nominate any learning needs you have before enrollment either by contacting us or on your application/enrolment forms
 Consider booking a trial lesson if you have any doubts the course may not be suitable for you. Please refer to Section A3 of the student handbook for details.

Student Clinic
• The student clinic is in an open environment with private consultation areas available. This setting allows for maximum supervision by clinic supervisors at all times.
• To maintain professionalism, students attending student clinic are required to maintain a clean & tidy appearance.
• Students must wear either a plain black or white t-shirt (only a minimum level of logos or designs will be accepted), with loose-fitting pants or shorts.
• The College does not allow short skirts or short shorts, low-riding pants, bare midriffs, low-cut tops or singlets.