The best yoga courses on offer for international students in Australia

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Wander around Bondi or Byron Bay and you’ll find its residents catching the sunrise, nattering over coffee and heading down to the beach with a yoga mat wedged beneath their arm. 

As one of Australia’s most popular pastimes, yoga studios have cropped up in every corner of the country and it’s not hard to see why. Not only is the ancient practice a great way to keep fit: it’s an opportunity to meet new people, boost those endorphins and carve time for yourself on the mat.

Below, find out everything you need to know about studying yoga in Australia from entry requirements to future career paths.

What are the entry requirements for Certificate IV (105455G) in Yoga Teaching?

In order to apply for Certificate IV in Yoga Teaching, you need to meet the following criteria:

• Students from non-English speaking nations will need to have completed upper intermediate level English or equivalent of IELTS 5.5 (with no individual band under 5.0)
• Year 10 or equivalent and above (home country evidence is accepted but it must be translated into English)
• Students must be over 18 

Find out more about English courses available in Australia on our website or contact the team and we can organise an English test through our network of education providers.

Although you do not need to have any previous experience in yoga, it’s strongly advised that you have practiced before and that you have a good level of fitness. If you are interested in studying yoga, our team can organise a trial day so that you can get a feel for the course. 

What will I learn studying Certificate IV in Yoga Teaching (105455G)?

Certificate IV in Yoga Teaching will vary depending upon the college you choose but most courses will enable students to learn the basic principles of yoga, warm up and warm down routines, breathing practices and how to incorporate anatomy and physiology into yoga teaching. 

The aim of the course is to prepare students to become professional yoga teachers at a basic to intermediate level so that they can run group workshops or private classes.

Certificate IV in Yoga Teaching will cover how to do the following:

• Create and develop your own yoga practice
• Monitor a client’s yoga technique and development
• Teach a yoga class to clients
• Apply anatomy and physiology to yoga teaching 
• Deliver first aid 
• Undertake small business planning and manage compliance 

You will qualify the course with a first aid certificate and will be prepared for further study through the development of study and research skills, communication development and time management. After attainment, you will be able to register as a Level 2 (intermediate) accredited teacher with the International Yoga Teachers Association.  

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What career path can I take after completing my Certificate IV in Yoga Teaching (105455G)?

Studying Certificate IV in Yoga Teaching will give students the chance to become a yoga teacher in gyms and studios around the world. There is also the opportunity to go on to become a yoga studio manager, owner or project coordinator. 

Studying Certificate IV in Yoga Training will enable students to progress to Diploma of Yoga Teaching if they desire.   

What are the entry requirements for Diploma of Yoga Teaching (098602G)?

In order to apply for your Diploma of Yoga Training, you need to meet the following criteria:

• Some colleges may require you to have completed a Certificate IV in Yoga Teaching within two years of commencing your course. Please check with our experienced team if you are unsure. 
• Students from non-English speaking nations must have completed upper intermediate level English or equivalent of IELTS 6.0 (with no individual band under 5.5)
• Year 12 or equivalent and above (home country evidence is accepted but must be translated into English)
• Students must be over 18 

As yoga teaching requires teachers to assist students with their practice, you must be comfortable manually helping others. It is also advised that you have good communication skills, an interest in helping others to learn yoga and patience.

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What will I learn studying my Diploma of Yoga Teaching (098602G)?

Some students may decide to study for their Diploma of Yoga Teaching after Certificate IV. This is a great opportunity to venture further into the practice and will enable students to go on to become specialised teachers.

Courses differ but you will learn how to do the below at most institutions:   

• Instruct a yoga for health and wellbeing asana class which combines breathing, concentration and relaxation
• Develop skills to support abdominal and lower back care through yoga
• Learn to improve health and wellbeing through yoga practice
• The art and science of yoga
• Develop skills to teach yoga postures safely 
• Conduct yoga lifestyle assessments
• Teach pranayama (yoga breathing)
• Teach yoga nidra (deep relaxation)
• Provide nutritional advice
• Apply advanced anatomy and physiology to yoga teaching
• Deliver first aid
• Learn about and practice health and safety
  
  

Topics that will be covered include:

• Advanced teaching techniques
• Yoga for chronic illness
• Yoga for special needs
• The philosophy of yoga
• The business of yoga
• Nutrition and wellbeing
  
  

You will also learn advanced first aid and will be given the chance to expand your research skills, both invaluable qualities which can be applied to a job in any industry.

What career path can I take after completing my Diploma in Yoga Teaching (098602G)?

After studying your Diploma in Yoga Teaching, you will have the opportunity to venture further into the yoga industry. For example, you may wish to become a yoga teacher who specialises in special needs or chronic conditions.

During your diploma training, you will learn how to adapt your classes to suit different needs and will be able to offer a deeper practice which incorporates breathwork and meditation.

Can I do an Advanced Diploma in Yoga in Australia? 

Yes, you can choose from Advanced Diploma of Yoga Teaching, Advanced Diploma of Yoga Therapy and Advanced Diploma of Holistic Classical Yoga Practices (099897B).

What will I learn while studying my Advanced Diploma in Yoga Teaching (0100559)?

Students wishing to take a deeper dive into yoga and to expand upon their knowledge may wish to study at Advanced Diploma level. Topics covered will vary depending upon which course you choose but most colleges will cover the following:

• How to reflect upon and improve your own professional practice
• How to analyse and respond to client health information
• How to monitor and manage small business operations
• How to maintain good workplace relationships
• How to undertake small business planning ​

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What career path can I take after completing my Advanced Diploma in Yoga Teaching?

You do not need to study Advanced Diploma in Yoga in order to become a yoga teacher or to run your own studio but you will gain further knowledge, skills and experience which will prove beneficial in the future.

What do I need to study Yoga Teaching?

To study Yoga Teaching, you are required to bring the below:

• Appropriate activewear for practical classes so that trainers can assess and correct a student’s posture and alignment.
  
• A laptop or tablet device for theory classes, as these will not be provided. ​

Will these qualifications be recognised in my home country?

These qualifications are part of the Australian Qualification Framework and most countries accept them, especially European and North American countries.
 
But we highly recommend checking that your home country accepts the qualification before choosing your course. If you are unsure, a member of our team would be happy to help.

Where can I study yoga in Australia?

You can study yoga in a number of colleges across Australia situated in Sydney, Perth, Brisbane, Byron Bay and Melbourne. 

As there are only 13 courses to choose from, it’s important to check the location of your chosen course before making a decision.
 
You can easily search for courses on offer in your state of choice using the CRICOS search tool. Most colleges offer monthly intake, quarterly intake or intake per semester (February, July). 

What does the timetable look like for yoga students?

Yoga students are expected to attend face to face classes, both theoretical and practical, alongside self-paced e-learning. 

Generally speaking, you should expect to attend class for a minimum of 2.5 full days per week. The rest of your time can be dedicated to self-study and work.  ​

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How long does a course in yoga take?

Course lengths will vary slightly depending upon the college. Below, we have provided an approximate guide to course timelines. 

Please make sure to always check the course lengths offered by each education provider carefully before applying.

• Certificate IV in Yoga Teaching (0100557) Course length: Full Time 12 months (including holidays)
  
  

• Diploma of Yoga Teaching (098602G) Course length: Full Time 12 months (including holidays)
  
  
• Advanced Diploma of Yoga Teaching (0100559) Course length: 156 weeks  (including holidays)
  
  
• Advanced Diploma of Holistic Classical Yoga Practices (099897B) Course length: Yoga Course length: 46 weeks - 52 weeks full time, 20 hours per week 
  
  
• Advanced Diploma of Therapeutic Yoga Teaching (105457E) Course length: 156 weeks  

There is also the option to package your yoga course or diploma with different subjects such as fitness. If you need assistance choosing a package, please contact us today for free advice and support.