Open Colleges is an educational institution that provides distance learning and online training programs. The organization typically offers vocational courses, professional development programs, and skills-based training across various industries and fields of study. Students can generally access coursework and educational materials remotely through digital platforms and correspondence methods.
Open Colleges receives a mix of feedback from its users, with 62% of reviewers expressing positive sentiments about their experiences. Many customers highlight the friendly and knowledgeable staff, particularly praising individuals like Ada and Sean for their helpfulness and clear communication during the enrollment process.
Read full summaryShow less
Reviewers appreciate the ease of navigating the course materials and the supportive guidance provided throughout their studies. However, there are notable complaints regarding difficulties in scheduling appointments with advisers and issues related to course fees, including instances of being overcharged. Some users express frustration over feeling misled or having a negative experience with the overall service. Despite these criticisms, the majority of feedback remains favorable, reflecting a generally positive sentiment towards Open Colleges.
1,039 customer reviewsLatest review over a year ago
Where the score comes from
Each source counts by its number of reviews. Only reviews written by people are scored.
Rating, volume, share of the score, six-month trend and fake-review risk for each source
Source
Rating
Reviews
Weight
6-mo
Fake risk
★
Trustpilot
Imported Trustpilot reviews
3.5
1,039
100%
-0.4
● Low
3.5 / 5 overall
=
1,039 reviews across 1 scored source
How fake risk works ⓘ
Reputation trend
Monthly average rating from reviews written by people · latest review Nov 2025.
Last 3 months
4.0▼ 0.4
12-month avg
3.8
All-time
3.5
Category avg
4.3
Monthly averageCategory average
Monthly average rating and review count
Month
Average
Reviews
Dec 24
1.0
2
Jan 25
5.0
3
Feb 25
1.0
1
Mar 25
1.0
2
Apr 25
3.0
3
May 25
2.0
1
Jun 25
4.3
4
Jul 25
4.0
2
Aug 25
4.7
7
Sep 25
1.0
3
Oct 25
4.3
11
Nov 25
4.4
17
What people praise & complain about
Share of positive (4–5★) and negative (1–2★) reviews mentioning each topic · based on the 500 most recent reviews.
Top praiseof 309 positive reviews
Customer service38%
117 mentions
Helpful support32%
99 mentions
Easy to use27%
83 mentions
Fast & efficient12%
38 mentions
“Very helpful and accommodating to my time schedule for calls and responses to email”
On “Customer service” · Nov 7, 2025
Top complaintsof 158 negative reviews
Customer service42%
66 mentions
Payment issues29%
46 mentions
Cancellation18%
29 mentions
Response time15%
23 mentions
“Their sales tactics are manipulative, and their customer service actively works against your rights”
On “Customer service” · Sep 23, 2025
How it compares
Same method for every company: overall rating, legitimacy checks, the average rating of reviews mentioning each area and the 6-month trend · Education & Training.
Overall rating and review count for this company and similar companies
The level of support, although promised to be excellent, was rubbish. Many students were complaining that work hadnt been marked and returned. Having to wait for returned assessments before the next unit was "unlocked" makes the course longer. If you don't finish in time, you pay extra. Trying to withdraw from the course without paying out the full fees is near to impossible no matter your reasons. Luckily I had a solicitor and my repayment was reduced. People I've met say they're criminals! Beware.
Cancelled the course within 48 hours and they wouldn’t refund the money and described it as “an enrollment Fee” . Spoke to so many staff that were saying yes a refund was due and then to be told it’s not. Do not use this college plus the open college is questioned at interviews as being “a proper course or just an easily achieved cert” when my friend when to be interviewed. Not a good reputation and not seen as prestigious education provider. Do not use this college under any circumstances. There are loads of options for other courses with other colleges. So angry with the entire experience and almost a month of emails with any excuse going. Worst customer care ever.
Open Colleges offers a wide range of vocational education and training courses across various fields including business, healthcare, beauty, fitness, counselling, and creative arts. All courses are nationally recognized and designed to provide practical skills for career advancement. Course formats include online study, blended learning, and some face-to-face components.
How long do courses typically take to complete?
Course duration varies depending on the qualification level and study mode. Certificate courses typically take 6-12 months, while diploma programs usually require 12-18 months to complete. Students can often study at their own pace within reasonable timeframes.
Are Open Colleges qualifications nationally recognized?
Yes, Open Colleges is a Registered Training Organization (RTO) and all qualifications are nationally recognized under the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF). Graduates receive certificates and diplomas that are accepted by employers and other educational institutions across Australia.
What support is available for online students?
Open Colleges provides comprehensive student support including dedicated student advisors, online learning resources, and technical support. Students also have access to career services, academic assistance, and peer networking opportunities through online forums and communities.
All 10 questions →Show fewer questions
How much do courses cost and what payment options are available?
Course fees vary depending on the qualification and field of study. Open Colleges offers flexible payment plans including upfront payment discounts, monthly payment options, and government funding schemes like VET Student Loans where eligible. Fee information is provided during the enrollment process.
What are the entry requirements for courses?
Entry requirements vary by course, but many programs have flexible admission criteria. Most courses require completion of Year 10 or equivalent, while some may require specific prerequisites or work experience. Open Colleges also offers foundation courses for students who need to meet entry requirements.
How do I contact Open Colleges for enrollment or course information?
You can contact Open Colleges through their website's live chat feature, by calling their student services team, or by submitting an online inquiry form. Course information is also available through their online course catalog and prospectus downloads.
Anyone can write a CrowdTrust review. People who write reviews have ownership to edit or delete them at any time, and they'll be displayed as long as an account is active.
I did a Diploma of Community Services with OC. I found them to be very compassionate and understanding. When I was unable to complete the course before the expiry date, they provided me with 3 months extension for free. The student support and assessors are very good.
Do not attend open colleges I tried to cancel my diploma because of an injury and they rejected my special circumstances they don’t want to accept special circumstances even though they say they offer it just so they can still claim 1/3 of the course I have a drs certificate and they have sent me to a creditor and I still have to pay 4 thousand DO NOT TRUST THIS COLLEGE
Overall I had a very positive experience with my Horticulture course (Certificate III), and most of the time I actually found it very fun and rewarding. The course was easy to navigate and a good layout for browsing the educational content and then completing the assignments. The educational content is a mix of text (which you need to read and take notes because the assignments will be based on this material) and Youtube videos. I paid $4,000 up front and this gave me access to the course self-paced for 24 months which offers great flexibility for your lifestyle (payments plans are available). Open Colleges is SO much cheaper than Tafe and University courses (and to be honest, I did a double degree at uni and although the experience was better because it was in person rather than online like this course, I think the quality of uni vs Open Colleges is comparable, but the price difference is insane). I was working fulltime whilst studying so it was a bit more intensive than I realised, so don't underestimate the time and effort you'll need to complete the course. So I had to ask for a 6 month extension which was another $400 (but you can just take it month by month which is cheaper). For the horticulture course, you need access to a backyard, plants, and gardening tools. If you don't have this, you'll need to buy it all or you'll need to make an agreement with a horticultural site (like a botanic garden). I just used my private backyard and was lucky my family members let me borrow plants and tools. You will need to film yourself completing all the tasks (like planting seedlings, mowing the lawn, testing soil pH), so you will need a good laptop to edit the videos and upload them. Whenever I had a problem I contacted student support either via email or phone call and I always received help. The phone call waiting times can be very long though. The two assessors that I had (Blaine and Jaclyn) were determined for me to finish this course and I really appreciated their support and encouragement, especially towards the end they gave me extra time because they knew I was SO close to finishing.
But, there were some minor annoyances (for example, you have to talk about common sense hazards/risks like wearing sunscreen and a hat, and then show cleaning and packing away tools in EVERY single video which seems so repetitive and obvious, it's such a waste of time). But things like that are standard in Australia, it's not just an Open Colleges thing.
So yes, I would recommend the horticulture course through Open Colleges, I learnt a lot and had fun along the way, but be prepared for a lot of hard work and filming/video editing. I honestly think they should give me a certificate in film-making too! haha
I had a great experience with open colleges and my assessor’s they went above and beyond to help and guide me throughout my course and couldn’t have done it without them.
Chelsea Preo
I had a bad experience with OC and had to renew my contract with work placement of over 120 hours for a Certificate 3 in early childhood care and education. It ended up being 180 hours of work. Open college are bad in mathematics a well. I completed 75 % of my studies. However, my certificate of attainment only recorded 25 %. Policies need to be revised, they may be over a 100 years old.
Open Colleges do not honour their agreement and only act in their own interest rather than the student/consumer. They breach their contractual obligations but wont allow you to break yours. They are unfair, have no compassion and are all about the money. There are so many educational providers - please chose them. Open Colleges are the worst !
It’s been very nice and smooth getting my diploma in community services, they are always willing to listen and support you whenever they are being called upon
A major drawback is the withdrawal policy. If you withdraw within the first 7 days, you face a $200 administration fee. After the 8th day, you’ll owe 75% of the course fee, which could mean paying around $3,200 on a $4,500 course, even if you decide it’s not for you.
I found OpenCollege to be quite challenging, and I wouldn't recommend it to others seeking online education. While the courses may look appealing at first glance, the workload is overwhelming. For instance, in the Certificate III in Individual Support that I studied, I was required to complete 4 to 5 role plays for just one unit I wrote them myself and played with a family member, which felt excessive. Additionally, the lengthy quizzes—spanning four pages—were frustrating and difficult to get through.
Based on my experience, I believe that local TAFE institutions may provide a more manageable and supportive online learning environment. I want to emphasize that this is my personal experience, and I prefer not to be contacted regarding my review.
I thoroughly enjoyed the challenge of learning online and found the Open Colleges team very supportive and helpful. It did take me much longer to complete the Diploma of Community Service than I thought it would but that was due to the pandemic which made finding Work Placement so much harder.
It takes perseverance and diligence to complete an online study and Open Colleges are there for you if you need support with academic or other issues.
I would recommend Open Colleges as it is an affordable way to upskill.
doing my diploma with open collage was an excellent experience. a big thank you to the whole open collage team particularly Mr Rosan Lal for being very supportive and responsive all the time.
Diploma of counselling
I just want to clarify this rating isn’t for the staff or the course, both deserve 5 stars, the trainers and course were amazing, however this review is for the ‘promises’ that I was given.
Before starting this course I was advised from open colleges that my diploma of counselling would allow me to work ‘anywhere’ I want without further study (probably my fault for believing them or not doing further investigations but anyway)
On this premise, I signed up and completed my 2 year course in 2020, registered with ACA and did volunteer work during my course.
Since then, I have been rejected from every job I have applied for. I have been applying for jobs religiously since graduating (one year now) and cannot land a job or an Interview purely because my qualifications aren’t enough (remember, I was told they are) and little to no experience.
Also, competing against psychologists who can get Medicare rebates will kill you, I could not gain one client because they all want a rebate.
I wasted a ton of money getting an ABN, public liability insurances and indemnity, and anything else to try and work for myself. Not to mention renting a room in a private practice, bleeding money every week without any clients because again, they want a rebate.
Anyways, I have given up on this career and have moved on, it’s a shame, I really wanted to be a Counsellor.
So yes. This one star rating is for the lies I was lead to believe, total rubbish, this diploma won’t get you anywhere.
Just know, if you do this course, it more than likely won’t be enough.
Total waste of time, energy and money.
That’s life I guess
I started around Christmas of 2019, I was coached that it was easy to sign up and start today. When I started there was a tour thru the website. Once starting the certificate it was almost to easy to do, information given to you and you just need to make the answer shorter. As you go thru the certificate the teachers get more particular and start to be very detailed about why you didn't add something when stated not to or you can't go 10% over the word could but then you don't have enough. Asking for help just wasn't really an option unless you plan to wait for an answer that isn't helpful. You have to look for what you think is needed.
Listen to the webinars but take some of it like a grain of salt as some teachers make there own rules.
Student support was frustrating due to continusly having to simplify what I was looking after and then getting told to just contact your teacher as they got stuck.
Getting a buddy to study with didn't really work for me.
Support is needed with this course and people that understand exactly what you are talking about and not just guessing.
Communication is very broken as you then wait days at a time just for a reply.
1 year was not enough to complete the course as I finally did my observations to finish September 2021. I know covid had an impact but alot of this is online, how is it even affected.
open module up early as there may not be someone in the office when you need it open.
The only outlasting people that I felt did there job well was Trish who also taught cert 3 in disability and Nicole the RN from NT. These two workers showed compassion and wanted listen and help you, that was the qualities everyone needed and I thank them for that
Unfortunately there were long time frames between submitting an assessment and to getting the results of a submitted assignment.
Receiving feedback when asking for help from assessors also was not done in a timely manner
There were too many grammar and spelling mistakes in the course material and many links to expand knowledge did not work.
Many of the questions were repetitive and I feel that there was huge expectation of students with the workplace portfolios that was unrealistic.
All of these concerns were regularly taken up with student support both verbally and in written format. Hopefully they have dealt with these issues
I enrolled in Certificate 3 in Individual support and paid thousands. After being totally frustrated I went to Steps College and paid $60 for the same course and completed it, I am still waiting for open colleges to get back to me from the first module i started. Please go anywhere but Open Colleges the sales people at the start will make you feel important, once you sign up and pay they don’t care at all.
Positive and negative feedback with the intention of helping Open Colleges improve. I enjoyed the course which I felt was relevant, useful, informative, and educational. Much to learn from the well structured layout with clear guidelines, that can help to perform the function as an HR professional.
Good source of course material most trainers were great and helpful and feedback was given clearly and quickly that helped me to understand and learn.
However, I experienced a trainer wo responded with feed back, that took up to 10 days(perhaps within the time for a trainer)this was not ideal as a student as the subject overlapped into other modules. This was not a good learning situation as I experienced the overall time took me a few months for those modules.
I would recommend this course to others as Open Colleges delivered what it promised to me.
Open Colleges may recognize prior learning (RPL) and credits from other registered training organizations or educational institutions. Students need to provide official transcripts and course outlines for assessment. The recognition process is evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
What happens if I need to withdraw from a course?
Open Colleges has a withdrawal policy that allows students to cancel within a cooling-off period for a full refund. After this period, refund eligibility depends on the timing of withdrawal and course progress. Students should review the terms and conditions and speak with student services before making withdrawal decisions.
Do you offer work placement or practical experience opportunities?
Many Open Colleges courses include practical components such as work placements, internships, or hands-on training requirements. The college works with industry partners to provide real-world experience opportunities. Specific placement requirements and arrangements vary by course and are outlined in the course information.
About Open Colleges
Open Colleges is an educational institution that provides distance learning and online training programs. The organization typically offers vocational courses, professional development programs, and skills-based training across various industries and fields of study. Students can generally access coursework and educational materials remotely through digital platforms and correspondence methods.
