A qualification in coaching opens doors to fulfilling careers across multiple sectors – from corporate boardrooms to community centres, sports fields to wellness retreats.
If you’re passionate about helping others reach their potential, overcome obstacles or achieve ambitious goals, pursuing coaching studies at ACAP University College provides the foundation for a career that truly makes a difference.
Today, we’re exploring a common question from prospective students: “What can you do with a coaching qualification?“.
Read on to discover the scope of coaching education, the skills you’ll develop, and the exciting career paths that await after graduation. Plus, learn more about one of the premier coaching courses in Australia – ACAP’s Graduate Certificate of Applied Coaching.
What CAN YOU DO WITH A COACHING QUALIFICATION?
Coaching is a diverse career path that allows you to choose your clients and how you’d like to uplift them. From helping employees find their voice in the workplace to supporting rising sports stars with motivation and training, there are endless coaching career pathways to choose from after you’ve completed a qualification in coaching.
Let’s explore the most common career paths that coaches follow post-graduation.
LEADERSHIP AND EXECUTIVE COACH
As a leadership or executive coach, you’ll typically work with senior professionals, helping them enhance their capabilities, navigate complex challenges and maximise their impact in the workplace.
Organisations worldwide are increasingly recognising the value that coaches provide when it comes to developing high-performing leaders. These roles can often command high salaries or hourly rates and offer opportunities to shape organisational culture while partnering with ambitious leaders at all levels.
Check out our dedicated blog post for more detailed information on how to become a leadership coach in Australia.
WELLNESS COACH
The wellness industry continues to expand as individuals seek holistic approaches to health and wellbeing. Wellness coaches support clients in creating sustainable lifestyle changes, managing stress, improving work-life balance and achieving optimal health.
You might establish your own practice, collaborate with healthcare providers or join corporate wellness initiatives – guiding people towards healthier, more fulfilling lives.
CONSULTANT
Coaching qualifications provide excellent foundations for consulting careers. As a consultant, you’ll combine coaching skills with business acumen to help organisations solve problems, implement change and develop their people.
Consultants might specialise in areas like change management, team effectiveness or leadership development, offering strategic advice while coaching individuals and teams through significant change.
SPORTS COACH
Sports coaches work with individuals or teams to improve athletic performance, build confidence and support wellbeing, both on and off the field. Whether you’re working with beginners or training elite athletes, your role goes beyond just teaching skills – your role is to guide mindset, motivation, goal setting and team dynamics.
Coaches in sport often wear many hats: mentor, strategist, communicator and role model. You might work in schools, community clubs, high-performance programs or private coaching settings. Whichever of these coaching career pathways you choose, your role will be to support players and teams from a holistic perspective.
PROFESSIONAL FACILITATOR
Professional facilitators design and lead workshops, strategic planning sessions and team development programs, creating environments where groups can collaborate effectively and achieve outcomes. As a result, facilitation skills are highly valued across a wide range of industries.
This specific role typically suits those who excel at group dynamics and enjoy helping teams unlock their collective potential through structured processes and coaching techniques.
PEOPLE AND CULTURE EXPERT
Human resources departments often seek professionals with coaching expertise. As a people and culture expert, you’ll shape workplace environments, design development programs and coach employees at all levels.
People and culture roles blend strategic thinking with hands-on coaching, helping organisations build cultures that attract, develop and retain top talent.
LIFE AND PERSONAL COACH
At ACAP, we often receive questions from those wondering how to become a life coach. But what does a life coach actually do? And how is a life coach different to a psychologist or counsellor?
Life coaches typically partner with individuals navigating personal challenges or seeking growth. You’ll facilitate meaningful conversations, support goal achievement and empower clients to create positive life changes.
In contrast, a psychologist focuses on assessing and treating mental health conditions like depression and anxiety, while a counsellor supports their clients with managing day-to-day or situational stressors such as grief and loss or substance abuse.
Want to learn more about these career paths? Visit our blog post on the difference between psychology, counselling and social work.
CAREER TRANSITION COACH
Career coaches – sometimes called career counsellors – guide professionals through job searches, industry changes and workplace challenges. You’ll help clients identify strengths, explore opportunities and develop strategies for professional advancement.
With today’s dynamic job market, skilled career coaches are increasingly sought after across all industries and career stages.
ARE COACHES IN DEMAND?
Yes! According to the 2023 ICF Global Coaching Study, data indicates that the coaching profession has continued to see exponential growth post-pandemic. With demand for coaches on the rise, the Oceania region has experienced a 42 per cent increase in qualified coaching professionals, resulting in over $295m worth of revenue in 2022.
Not only is the demand for coaches at an all-time high, but the need for accredited coaches is also becoming more apparent. ICF’s study found that 80 per cent of coaching clients expect their coach to be professionally certified, highlighting the importance of completing accredited studies with relevant, practical course content.
STUDY COACHING AT ACAP
Coaching is grounded in psychology, communication and human development – and that’s exactly what you’ll study at ACAP. Our Graduate Certificate of Applied Coaching blends theory with practical skill-building, preparing you to coach confidently and ethically across a range of professional contexts.
When you study coaching at ACAP, you’ll explore evidence-based coaching frameworks, communication techniques, behaviour change theory and professional practice. With a strong focus on applied learning, you’ll graduate ready to empower others from day one.
This 26-week online course is ideal for those with existing qualifications who want to add coaching to their toolkit or transition into a coaching career. Whether you’re a consultant, team leader, educator or allied health professional, you’ll gain the confidence to coach individuals and teams toward meaningful growth.
ACAP’s Graduate Certificate of Applied Coaching is proudly accredited by the International Coaching Federation (ICF) – the global gold standard for coaching education. This ensures your qualification meets strict professional benchmarks and is recognised across industries, opening doors to endless career opportunities as a professional coach.
WHAT CAN YOU DO WITH A COACHING QUALIFICATION: OUR FINAL THOUGHTS
Whether you envision yourself guiding executives, supporting wellness journeys or empowering others to tackle life’s challenges, ACAP’s qualification in coaching prepares you for a career centred on human potential and positive change.
Ready to begin your coaching journey? Apply to study our Graduate Certificate in Applied Coaching today!
Still wondering, “What can you do with a coaching qualification?”. Our Course Advisors can help you clarify your career options. Book a call to discuss your goals, explore our programs and map your path into the coaching profession.