Chloe WilsonJay Shetty is heading back to Australia in November 2026 for his Wanderlust True North tour, with shows in Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane. Tickets are already selling and his profile as a life coach and mindfulness speaker remains enormous — his social following runs into the tens of millions. But Shetty's rise has been accompanied by sustained scrutiny of his credentials, his backstory, and most recently, his Certification School. For Australians who attend his events, consider his coaching programs, or simply follow his advice on mental wellness, it raises a question worth asking: how do you verify that a wellness coach — anyone — actually has the qualifications they claim?
The Jay Shetty Credentials Controversy
A 2024 investigation by The Guardian found that the Jay Shetty Certification School had made a series of misleading claims about its regulatory status and academic affiliations. The school's website stated it was Ofqual-regulated — the English qualifications authority. Ofqual responded publicly that the school was "not linked to any Ofqual-regulated qualifications" and demanded the claim be removed because it "might mislead."
More significantly, the school's website listed a progression arrangement with the University of Chichester. When contacted by investigators, a university spokesperson stated: "We have never worked with Jay Shetty Certification School."
The school is also not accredited by the International Coaching Federation (ICF) or any major independent coaching body. That means graduates pay thousands of dollars for a credential that has no recognised standing with the peak bodies that most HR departments and healthcare organisations use to assess coach qualifications.
Shetty has not been charged with any offence. But the gap between claimed credentials and verified standing is a pattern that Australian consumer advocates and health regulators have flagged repeatedly — not just with Shetty, but across the broader wellness industry.
Why Life Coaching Is Unregulated in Australia
Unlike psychology, counselling, and most medical professions, life coaching is entirely unregulated in Australia. Anyone can call themselves a life coach, wellness expert, mindfulness practitioner, or transformation specialist — regardless of training, qualifications, or experience.
This is not an accident of oversight. Life coaching is considered a non-therapeutic practice, so it falls outside the scope of the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA), which covers registered health professions including psychology, occupational therapy, and allied health disciplines.
According to AHPRA, only practitioners registered in one of the 16 regulated health professions are required to meet minimum education standards, pass competency assessments, maintain professional insurance, and comply with a code of conduct. A life coach, wellness influencer, or mindfulness speaker faces none of these requirements.
This matters when the advice being given — however well-intentioned — touches on mental health, trauma, relationships, or personal crises. The stakes are different when someone is working through grief, anxiety, or burnout compared to getting advice on productivity habits.
What to Check Before You Pay a Wellness Coach
Whether you are considering attending a live event, purchasing an online program, or engaging a coach for regular sessions, there are five questions worth asking:
1. What formal qualifications do they hold, and where were they obtained? A psychology degree, a social work qualification, or an ICF-accredited coaching credential involves real coursework, clinical placement, and supervised hours. A certificate from an online school requires scrutiny — specifically, who accredits that school? Check the accreditation body's own website, not just the course provider's.
2. Are they listed with a professional body? For coaching specifically, the International Coaching Federation (ICF) and the Association for Coaching (AC) maintain verifiable member registers. Peak bodies for psychology (Australian Psychological Society) and counselling (Australian Counselling Association) also have searchable directories. If a practitioner cannot point to a verifiable listing, ask why.
3. What do they say they can help with? Legitimate coaches differentiate between coaching (future-focused, goal-oriented, suitable for most people) and therapy (past-focused, clinical, requiring registered mental health professionals). If a coach promises to "heal" trauma, "cure" anxiety, or deliver outcomes that sound therapeutic, they may be practising outside their scope — regardless of how compelling their personal story is.
4. What is the refund and complaint policy? The Australian Consumer Law applies to coaching and wellness programs purchased in Australia. If a program makes express representations about outcomes that are not delivered, you may have grounds for a refund. Check the terms carefully before purchasing.
5. What does independent feedback look like? Not testimonials on the provider's own website — look for independent reviews on platforms like Trustpilot, Google Reviews, or verified industry publications. Patterns of dissatisfaction are a stronger signal than a handful of curated success stories.
A Wider Point About the Wellness Industry
Jay Shetty's tour will sell out. His content resonates with millions of people, and there is genuine value in live events that focus on purpose, relationships, and mindfulness. This article is not an argument against attending.
It is, however, an argument for being a discerning consumer of wellness products and services — especially when they come with a high price tag or therapeutic-sounding promises. The Australian wellness industry is estimated to be worth billions of dollars annually, and the barriers to entry are minimal. That creates opportunity for excellent practitioners and for those whose claims significantly outrun their credentials.
If you are looking for support with mental health, anxiety, grief, or complex relationships, a registered psychologist or counsellor (findable through the APS or ACA directories) is the appropriate first stop. For goal-setting, accountability, and non-clinical personal development, an ICF-accredited coach is a well-validated option.
ExpertZoom connects Australians with verified health and wellness experts for consultations — whether you want to assess a program you have already invested in, or get a second opinion on a practitioner's recommendations.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical or legal advice. For concerns about a specific health practitioner's conduct, contact AHPRA.
