Learn massage in Wollongong in the beautiful Illawarra, NSW.
The healing power of touch is documented throughout history. The touch of the king was believed to cure many diseases.
Today, therapeutic massage is widely utilised in areas such as individual stress relief, workplace stress management, sporting and other injuries and essential for relaxation therapy. Massage therapy is gaining increasing recognition and is now recognised by most private health funds.
About Karuna College
- Karuna College was established in Wollongong 1992 and is now well established as a key massage teaching facility in the area
- Karuna College is a nationally recognised Registered Training Organisation (RTO) accredited with NSW Vocational Education & Training Accreditation Board (VETAB).
- It is a Wollongong-based College, where students have ready access to lecturers, avoiding the hazards of distance education
- Teachers are experienced, local practitioners in private practice
- With Karuna College training, you get face-to-face, hands on learning. Student Clinics are conducted with real-life patients and some deal with sporting injuries ‘on the spot’ making the practical component of our course indispensable
- Once graduated, you have enough practical experience to go directly into practice
- Diploma Graduates are entitled to be listed in Karuna College’s ‘Endorsed Practitioner List’ – advertised in newspapers throughout each year, in the Yellow Pages and on this website
Qualified massage therapists can develop their career in many ways:
Self employed as a:
- Mobile massage therapist
- Remedial masseuse in your own clinic
- Masseur in health resort, ski resort or international hotel
- Sports club masseur
- Hospital masseur
- Corporate massage practitioner
- Baby massage therapist
As a massage therapist:
- With chiropractors, osteopaths & physios
- In a beauty clinic
- In gyms & sports clubs
Who accredits our courses?
- Australian Traditional Medicine Society (ATMS)
- Association of Massage Therapists (AMT)
- Health funds
- Vocational Education & Training Board (VETAB)
Karuna College now offers two courses:
1. Certificate IV in Massage Therapy in Practice HLT40307
36 weeks (3 terms over one year)
Term 1
Massage 1 (Swedish) - 12 weeks
Anatomy & Physiology 1 -12 weeks
Student Clinic - 50 hours
Term 2
Massage 2 (Sports)- 12 weeksAnatomy & Physiology 2 -12 weeks
Term 3
Massage 3 (Remedial)-12 weeksCommunication & Practice Management – 12 weeks
2. Diploma of Remedial Massage HLT50307
24 weeks (two terms) Pre-requisite: Certificate IV in Massage or equivalent.
Term 1
Massage 7 (Posture, Stretching & Flexibility)- 12 weeksMassage 5 (Trigger Point Therapy)- 12 weeks
Symptomatology, Assessment & Treatment Plans- Three 4-hour sessions
Term 2
Massage 6 (Myofascial Release)- 12 wksMassage 4 (Lymphatic)- 12 weeks
Special Unit 1: Corporate Massage- One 3½ hour session
Special Unit 2: Women & Children’s Massage- One 3½ hour session
Special Unit 3: Massage for Athlete- One 3½ hour session
The DRM is an extension of the Certificate IV in Massage Therapy in Practice for students wishing to further their studies and improve their potential as a Massage Therapist.
The certificate and diploma are nationally accredited and graduates are eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) in the Bachelor of Health Science Programmes at universities (where appropriate).
Both courses can be completed in 60 weeks over 20 months
Choose your Course Length
While the course may be completed over 20 months, Karuna College offers you flexible study times. You may take up to two years to complete your Certificate IV and up to two years to complete your Diploma of Remedial MassageCourse Times
The courses are part time, with most classes in the evenings, and some on Saturdays.


