Please read FAQS before registering
WHAT ARE THE STUDY REQUIREMENTS TO BECOME A LACTATION CONSULTANT?
In order to become an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant you will need to pass the IBCLE exam. The requirements to sit this exam are detailed on the website https://iblce.org/step-1-prepare-for-ibclc-certification/, and include a minimum of 95 hours of lactation-specific education. This course provides 120 hours of education, including the 5 hours of communication and counselling skills recently added to the requirements, as one of the 3 requirements to apply for the exam via Pathway 1.
We do not provide the clinical hours or the health sciences education required to meet the eligibility criteria to apply for the exam. Please refer questions regarding the exam to the website above.
ARE THERE ANY PREREQUISITES TO UNDERTAKE THIS COURSE?
This course has been designed for health professionals. While there are no prerequisites for undertaking this course, without any medical or midwifery background you may need more time to complete it.
We have had students from many different backgrounds complete this course and go on to pass the IBCLC exam.
WHAT IS THE COST?
The course is Au$750, and can be paid via Stripe through our secure online portal.
HOW IS THE STUDY DONE? HOW DO I SUBMIT ASSIGNMENTS?
The course comprises 10 Modules, each covering a different topic which is is fully accessible online via Google Classroom.
Please be aware before registering for the course that this is a little different to most distance education courses, it is a self directed course. You will receive access to the Study Guide of 10 modules, each offering a variety of questions and case studies related to the focus of the module, from which you will choose 2 of the questions and 2 case studies to submit in university-level essay form for review. Each Module also has a multiple choice Practice Exam relating to the Module content.
Every assignment submitted is manually marked by one of our teachers, who each run their own Classroom - the course content in each is identical, and you will be allocated to one for marking & feedback within 48 hours of your payment. Once you have been allocated to a teacher, you will be sent an invitation to their Classroom, where you will have access to the entire course.
All the information required for the course can be found in the recommended text books, or in links to online sources provided for each Module - there are no lecture notes. We have a library you can borrow from, however, you may have access to texts books from colleagues or in your library at work.
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You can undertake the course totally at you own pace, although we do suggest completing in 6-7 months, and to do this you would need about 5 hours a week of study, however, if you needed longer you just let us know along the way. Extensions of more than 12 months from registration need to be negotiated.
WILL I BE AN INTERNATIONAL BOARD CERTIFIED LACTATION CONSULTANT AT THE COMPLETION OF THE COURSE?
Upon completion of the course you will be issued a Certificate of Completion of 120 hours of lactation-specific education. Currently the IBCLE requires a minimum of 95 hours to be eligible to sit the exam, a Health Sciences education, and 1000 hours of Lactation specific clinical experience - this course provides the education component only.
Successful completion of the IBCLE exam is required to become an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant.
WHAT IF MY CIRCUMSTANCES CHANGE, IS THERE A WITHDRAWAL PROCEDURE?
Refunds are only available if you have not accepted the invitation to the Classroom - please contact us before registration if you have any questions after reading these FAQs.
Notification of withdrawal by the registrant must be sent by email to the course coordinator jennifairy@australasianlactationcourses.com.
Deferment is not possible since this course is continually being revised to keep it as up-to-date as possible. Extensions can be negotiated.
I AM ALREADY ANÂ IBCLC & WANT A REFRESHER BEFORE RECERTIFYING. CAN I DO PART OF THE COURSE TO FULFILL THE HOURS & REQUIREMENTS I NEED?
Please contact us to discuss your needs, we are currently working on a 'Refresher' course & may be able to offer you access to only the Modules you need. This is available to current IBCLC's only.
I HAVE PAID FOR THE COURSE - WHERE IS THE INVITE TO THE GOOGLE CLASSROOM?
We have 2 practicing IBCLC's running Classrooms, and allocation to a Classroom is based on existing workload of these teachers, so allocation is not automatic. Please be aware it may take up to 48 hours to be allocated to a Classroom & for that teacher to send you an invite.
If you have not received an invitation to join a Classroom after 48 hours, please check your spam folder before contacting us.