Certificate IV vs. Short Courses in Life Coaching: Which One’s Right for You?
Thinking of becoming a life coach but not sure which training path to take? With so many options out there, it can be hard to know which one will actually give you the skills and credibility to succeed as a qualified life coach.
While some non-accredited life coaching short courses can give you a quick introduction to the industry, investing in a nationally recognised qualification like the Certificate IV in Life Coaching sets you up for long-term success and gives you real-world coaching experience.
The Difference Between Nationally Recognised Courses and Short Courses
It’s important to note that anyone can call themselves a life coach. But not everyone has the training and skills to do it successfully.
When it comes to life coaching courses, the most reliable and trusted route by both clients and industry professionals is to complete an internationally recognised and nationally accredited training course, like the IFC Certificate IV in Life Coaching. This course gives an exceptional foundation to life coaching skills and practical experience that you can use as your build your very own life coaching practice.
In this course, students are given up to 24 months to get through the course. But being self-paced, most take an average of 6 – 9 months to complete. In the grand scheme of things, the Certificate IV in Life Coaching course can be relatively short.
However, some budding life coaches choose to look for even shorter certifications in order to fast-track their learning. A life coaching short course can be anything from a 2-day workshop to a 1-month short course with a life coaching influencer. But while these can seem attractive at first, many non-accredited life coaching short courses lack the value and world-class training offered by organisations such as the ICF (International Coach Federation).
What’s Included in the Certificate IV in Life Coaching?
The Certificate IV in life coaching is nationally recognised by the Australian Government for its high standards and exceptional world-class training. The course includes 7 coaching units and 3 essential business units, all delivered through a mix of online webinars, live zoom sessions, practical group work, and regular assessments.
In this course, you’ll learn to:
- Develop your own coaching business plan.
- Market new coaching business ventures.
- Reflect and improve on your own professional practice.
- Create a safe and supportive coaching environment.
- Coaching clients using the GROW Model.
- Apply Neuro-Linguistic Programming within a coaching context.
Why Life Coaching Short Courses Can Fall Short
Life coaching short courses might offer a fast-tracked route to becoming a life coach, but this may come at the cost of your long-term career success.
Many short courses found online aren’t government-recognised, which means they don’t hold the same weight or credibility as nationally accredited courses. Without formal recognition, your qualification may not be taken seriously by potential clients or employers.
On top of that, they typically lack practical coaching hours, leaving students without the hands-on experience they need to feel confident in real client sessions. Without any structured mentorship or professional feedback, it’s hard to know whether you’re coaching effectively or just guessing.
Not to mention, non-accredited programs often skip over the ethical foundations and real-world coaching scenarios that are essential for responsible practice. And when clients are trusting you to help guide their personal growth, that’s a serious responsibility that demands proper training, integrity, and skill.
Take the Next Step to Your Life Coaching Career
For those looking for life coaching short courses, the ICF Certificate IV is a great place to start. While it is slightly longer than other non-accredited courses, its self-paced nature means you can do it in as little as 5 or 6 months.
With a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) like Life Coaching Academy, you can get structured training and expertise from industry-leading professionals and gain a certification that is globally recognised for excellence.
The Certificate IV in Life Coaching is designed to not only equip you with core coaching techniques, but also help you build a thriving coaching business. Get in touch with us today to get started!