Thinking about studying at Ikon Institute of Australia? This guide breaks down the main Ikon Institute courses in arts therapy, early childhood education, counselling, community services and social work, so you can see levels, study modes and career paths at a glance. You’ll get extra detail on ikon institute art therapy and the ikon institute bachelor of early childhood education, since they’re two of the most searched programs on PickMyUni. Use the checklists and tables to line up your background with the right course, campuses or institutions through PickMyUni.
Big-picture view of Ikon Institute courses
Ikon focuses almost entirely on human services and education. On its official course list, programs sit in five main areas: Arts Therapy, Community Services, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Early Childhood Education, and Social Work.
These are higher education qualifications (not short TAFE-style units) and include diplomas, bachelor degrees, graduate certificates, graduate diplomas and masters. Many are available across multiple campuses (Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney) and online for at least part of the study.
Ikon course areas at a glance
Study area | Courses you’ll see listed* | Typical level(s) | Study modes** | Good for students who… |
Arts Therapy | Diploma of Arts Therapy; Bachelor of Arts Therapy | Diploma, Bachelor | On-campus (Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney) + online elements | Want a creative, therapy-focused career using art-based methods |
Community Services | Diploma of Community Services; Bachelor of Community Services | Diploma, Bachelor | Multiple campuses | Want to work in case work, community programs, NDIS, youth work |
Counselling & Psychotherapy | Diploma & Bachelor of Counselling and Psychotherapy; Grad Cert; Grad Dip; Master of Counselling and Psychotherapy | Diploma, Bachelor, Grad Cert, Grad Dip, Master | On-campus + some online options | Want professional counselling or psychotherapy careers |
Early Childhood Education | Diploma of Early Childhood Education; Bachelor of Early Childhood Education; Grad Cert/Grad Dip/Master of Education (ECE); Master of Teaching (ECE) | Diploma, Bachelor, Grad Cert, Grad Dip, Master | Online + on-campus combinations | Want to teach or lead in early childhood (birth–5) |
Social Work | Bachelor of Social Work; Master of Social Work (Qualifying) | Bachelor, Master | Multi-campus | Want a professional social work registration pathway |
Ikon Institute Art Therapy Courses
Ikon is well known for its arts therapy programs. The bachelor course is promoted by Ikon as the only dedicated Bachelor of Arts Therapy in Australia, backed by strong industry connections and experiential learning.
Art therapy at Ikon blends psychology, counselling and creative processes. You’ll look at how art-making, imagery, movement, clay, sand play, collage and other creative methods support clients who struggle with standard talk therapy, including trauma survivors, children and people from culturally diverse backgrounds.
Arts Therapy course comparison
Feature | Diploma of Arts Therapy | Bachelor of Arts Therapy |
Level | Undergraduate diploma | Full bachelor degree |
Typical duration | ~1 year full-time (approx. 52 weeks) | ~3 years full-time |
Focus | Introductory arts therapy skills; foundation counselling | Deeper arts psychotherapy theory + advanced practice |
Study style | Skill-building units, supervised activities | Extensive experiential workshops, theory plus placements |
Good for | Testing fit for art therapy or adding skills to an existing role | Committing to an arts therapy career pathway |
Campuses (from PickMyUni data) | Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney, Online (Diploma) | Adelaide (from Feb 2025), Melbourne, Sydney |
Who usually chooses Ikon’s art therapy degrees?
From the way Ikon structures these courses, they tend to suit:
Creative people who also care about mental health support
Counsellors, youth workers or teachers who want creative therapy skills
Career changers from design, music, drama or visual arts
People who enjoy small, workshop-style classes rather than huge lecture theatres
PickMyUni suggestion:
If you’re new to higher education or unsure about commitment, starting with the Diploma of Arts Therapy can be a lower-risk entry point. If you already have a degree in a related area, chat with a PickMyUni advisor about credit or whether going straight into the bachelor or a counselling/postgrad option might fit you better.
Ikon institute bachelor of early childhood education: course breakdown
The ikon institute bachelor of early childhood education is a four-year initial teacher education degree designed for working with children from birth to five. The official course information highlights:
A strong focus on play-based pedagogy for teaching literacy, numeracy, STEM and the arts
Coverage of professional practice, assessment and documentation
Units in family and community partnerships, diversity and inclusion, and leadership
Professional accreditation recognised by ACECQA as an approved early childhood teaching qualification
Quick facts for the Bachelor of Early Childhood Education
Item | What to know (based on public course info*) |
Level | Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood) |
Standard duration | 4 years full-time |
Typical focus age range | Birth–5 years |
Key themes | Play pedagogy, curriculum design, child development, leadership, inclusion |
Professional recognition | Listed as ACECQA-approved for early childhood teaching roles in Australia |
Delivery | On-campus with online components possible for some subjects |
Where it can lead | Early childhood teacher roles in long day care, kindergarten, preschool, early years leadership and advisory roles |
Who this degree usually suits
Students who tend to thrive in this program are those who:
Enjoy working with very young children and families
Want to qualify as an early childhood teacher rather than an education support worker
Are comfortable with practicum placements and reflective teaching practice
Like the idea of eventually stepping into educational leadership, mentoring or advisory roles
Not sure if the bachelor is the right entry level?
PickMyUni can walk you through the difference between starting with the Diploma of Early Childhood Education, the ikon institute bachelor of early childhood education, or later moving into a Master of Teaching (Early Childhood) if you already hold a degree in another field.
Other Ikon Institute courses
Beyond art therapy and early childhood, the PickMyUni course table for Ikon shows several other in-demand areas.
Community Services
Typical courses:
Diploma of Community Services
Bachelor of Community Services
These usually suit students who want to work in:
Community development projects
Disability and NDIS-related services
Case management and support coordination
Youth, family or migrant support programs
Counselling and Psychotherapy
PickMyUni’s course list shows a full pathway in counselling and psychotherapy for Ikon Institute of Australia, from diploma through to master level:
Diploma of Counselling and Psychotherapy
Bachelor of Counselling and Psychotherapy
Graduate Certificate in Counselling
Graduate Diploma of Counselling and Psychotherapy
Master of Counselling and Psychotherapy
Broadly, you can think of this stream as:
Diploma/Bachelor – preparing you for foundation practitioner roles (with additional registration steps as per Australian counselling bodies)
Grad Cert/Grad Dip/Master – upskilling or shifting into advanced practice for those who already hold a degree
Social Work
Ikon’s social work options usually appear on PickMyUni as:
Bachelor of Social Work
Master of Social Work (Qualifying)
These courses are for people who are interested in undertaking professional roles as a social worker within the realms of health, mental health, child protection, justice, and aged care. It is worth checking course accreditation on the specific course sites and with the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW).
Reading the PickMyUni Ikon course table (CRICOS, campuses & levels)
On this very page, PickMyUni already gives you a structured table for Ikon Institute of Australia showing:
Department (e.g. Ikon Institute Art Therapy, Community Services, Early Childhood Education)
Degree name (for example, Bachelor of Arts Therapy, Ikon Institute Bachelor of Early Childhood Education, Master of Education (Early Childhood))
CRICOS code for international students
Campus and delivery (city plus online options)
How to use that table smartly
Filter by department first
If you’re focused on creative mental health work, look under Ikon Institute Art Therapy.
If you prefer classroom teaching, jump straight to Early Childhood Education.
Check the level next
Diploma vs Bachelor vs Master vs Graduate Certificate/Graduate Diploma.
A higher level is not always “better”; it should match your previous study and career plans.
Then look at campus & mode
Some courses are offered at all four campuses and online; others are limited to certain locations or have different delivery patterns by city and intake.
If anything in the table is confusing (multiple CRICOS codes, mode notes, or you’re unsure which level lines up with your background), use the “Talk to a Course Transfer Expert” button on this page — that goes straight to PickMyUni’s advising team.
How to pick the right Ikon course for your situation
Use this quick checklist while you scan Ikon’s course list:
Your current stage
Just finished Year 12 or equivalent?
Consider a diploma or bachelor as a starting point.
Already have a degree in a related area?
Look at graduate certificates, graduate diplomas or masters (counselling, education, social work).
In the workforce and want a shift into helping professions?
Check whether your previous study can count for credit or recognition of prior learning on Ikon’s official pages, then ask PickMyUni to sense-check your options.
Your preferred type of work
Do you see yourself in a classroom with 3–5 year olds? Early Childhood Education.
Do you want to support clients one-to-one through talk-based methods? Counselling and Psychotherapy.
Do you like creative methods and working with groups? Arts Therapy.
Are you motivated by system-level change and complex cases? Social Work or Community Services.
Practical considerations
Location & mode: Are you near an Ikon campus, or do you need online study?
Work hours: Can you handle placements and on-campus days around your job?
Budget: Use the Fees tab for each Ikon campus on PickMyUni to get a feel for tuition.
If several courses still seem similar, tell a PickMyUni course expert your background, your visa status and your career aim — they can suggest 2–3 concrete courses–and–campus combinations rather than leaving you to guess.
How PickMyUni can help with Ikon Institute courses
Here’s how to make the most of this page and PickMyUni’s support:
Compare Ikon with other providers
Use the Compare button near the top of the page to see similar universities — particularly other private providers that also focus on human services and education.
Switch courses or campuses
If you started at another uni and feel the fit is wrong, PickMyUni’s Transfer Assistance team can help you move into an Ikon course (or away from Ikon) without losing more credit and time than necessary.
Ask about PR pathways and registration
For fields like teaching, social work and counselling, registration and migration rules change over time. PickMyUni can connect you with up-to-date advice, so you aren’t relying on outdated blogs or assumptions.
Leave or read reviews
Already studying at Ikon? Use the Write a Review button so future students can see what teaching quality, support and workload feel like from a student perspective.
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