Courses

The nationally recognised qualification that opens doors across Australia.

Why Choose This Course?

• Nationally recognised: Employers and industry groups trust this government-accredited qualification
• Pathways to further study: Use it toward Diplomas, Advanced Diplomas, or Bachelor degrees
• Austudy eligible: Apply for government financial support while you study
• Portfolio + credentials: Graduate with both a professional portfolio AND formal qualification

You don’t need to choose between skills and credentials—this course gives you both.

Course Structure

12 modules designed to take you from beginner to job-ready designer:

1. Introduction to Graphic Design — Foundations of design thinking and visual communication
2. Design Basics — Elements and principles that make design work
3. Introduction to Typography — Type fundamentals and hierarchy
4. Colour — Colour theory, psychology, and practical application
5. Advanced Typography — Pairing fonts, type systems, and advanced techniques
6. Photography — Capturing and manipulating images for design work
7. Logotype Design — Creating memorable brand identities
8. Design Systems — Building cohesive visual systems and style guides
9. Layout Design — Page composition, grids, and multi-page documents
10. Design Systems II — Advanced identity work and brand applications
11. Preparing Your Portfolio — Curating and presenting your best work
12. Advanced Portfolio Refinement & Job Readiness — Polish, resume, cover letters, industry prep

Key Details

• Duration: 15 months access (self-paced)
• Study time: Approx. 750 hours total (complete in 32 weeks full-time, or spread across 15 months part-time)
• Study mode: 100% online, work at your own pace
• Prerequisites: None—no prior design experience required
• Certificate issued: CUA40720 Certificate IV in Design (nationally recognised under AQF)

Assessments

All assessments are practical, hands-on projects that build your portfolio:

• Software applications (Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign)
• Design generation skills (sketching, concept development, refinement)
• Typography, colour, logos, branding, identity systems
• Layout and page design
• Portfolio building and career preparation

Every assessment you complete becomes part of your final portfolio. You’ll graduate with a body of work ready to show employers.

Units of Competency

The Certificate IV in Design consists of 15 Units of Competency—the building blocks of your qualification. All 12 modules map back to these units.

Core Units (7):

• BSBCRT411: Apply critical thinking to work practices
• CUADES305: Source and apply information on the history and theory of design
• CUADES411: Generate design solutions
• CUADES412: Interpret and respond to a design brief
• CUAWHS312: Apply work health and safety practices
• CUAACD411: Integrate colour theory and design processes
• CUAPPR411: Realise a creative project

Elective Units (8):

• CUADES301: Explore the use of colour
• CUADES302: Explore and apply the creative design process to 2D forms
• CUADES303: Explore and apply the creative design process to 3D forms
• CUADES304: Source and apply design industry knowledge
• CUAGRD312: Use typography techniques
• CUAGRD411: Research and apply graphic design techniques
• CUAPHI411: Capture images in response to a brief
• CUAPHI403: Enhance, manipulate and output photo images

What are Units of Competency? They’re the national standards that define what you need to know and do to be competent in the design industry. When you complete all 15, you earn your qualification.

Who Is This For?

Choose Certificate IV (Full Qualification) if:

• You want a nationally recognised qualification from day one
• You’re eligible for Austudy (government financial support for students)
• You plan to continue to Diploma, Advanced Diploma, or university later
• You want maximum credibility with employers (formal credentials matter to you)

Build a killer portfolio without the qualification price tag.

Why Choose This Course?

• Lower cost: No government accreditation means lower tuition
• Same skills: Learn the exact same design skills as Certificate IV students (11 of the 12 modules)
• Portfolio focused: Graduate with job-ready work—the graphic design industry values portfolios above all else
• Upgrade option: Change your mind later? Upgrade to Certificate IV within 6 months of finishing

The design industry hires based on portfolio quality, not credentials. If you don’t need formal qualifications, this course gets you job-ready faster and cheaper.

Course Structure

11 modules:

1. Introduction to Graphic Design
2. Design Basics
3. Introduction to Typography
4. Colour
5. Advanced Typography
6. Photography
7. Logotype Design
8. Design Systems
9. Layout Design
10. Design Systems II
11. Preparing Your Portfolio

These are modules 1-11 from the Certificate IV—same content, same quality, just without the final accreditation module.

Key Details

Detail	Information
Duration	12 months access (self-paced)
Study time	Approx. 700 hours total
Study mode	100% online, work at your own pace
Prerequisites	None
Certificate issued	Certificate of Completion (not nationally accredited)

Assessments

Practical activities covering:

• Software applications (Adobe Creative Cloud)
• Typography, colour, logos, branding
• Identity systems and layout
• Design communication skills

All assessments contribute to your final portfolio.

Who Is This For?

Choose IFC if:

• You want design skills and a portfolio but don’t need formal credentials
• You prefer lower cost (no accreditation paperwork = lower price)
• You’re not planning further study (Diploma/Degree)
• You’re confident the industry will hire you based on portfolio alone

Completed IFC and want the qualification? Upgrade in 3 months.

Why Choose This Course?

• Fast-track to qualification: 3 months, not 15
• Recognition of IFC work: All your IFC assessments count toward the Certificate IV
• Lower cost: You only pay for the upgrade, not the full qualification again
• Extra support: Portfolio refinement review + personal letter of recommendation from your tutor

This course bridges the gap between your Certificate of Completion and a nationally recognised qualification.

How It Works

1. Complete IFC first: You must successfully finish the Intensive Foundation Course (or apply for RPL)
2. Enrol in upgrade: Do this within 6 months of finishing IFC
3. Complete 4 extra assessments over 3 months
4. Graduate with Certificate IV: Full nationally recognised qualification

Course Structure

You’ve already done modules 1-11 in IFC. Now you complete:

• Module 12: Advanced Portfolio Refinement & Job Readiness
• 4 additional assessments:
  • Refining Your Portfolio
  • Resume & Cover Letter
  • Industry Consultation on a Past Project
  • OHS (Occupational Health & Safety) Assessment
  • Copyright Questionnaire Assessment

Plus:

• Portfolio refinement review by tutors
• Personal letter of recommendation from your tutor (great for job applications)

Key Details

Detail	Information
Duration	3 months access
Study time	Approx. 30-50 hours (just the extra assessments)
Study mode	100% online
Prerequisites	Intensive Foundation Course completion (or RPL assessment)
Deadline	Must upgrade within 6 months of finishing IFC (after that, contact us to discuss options)
Certificate issued	CUA40720 Certificate IV in Design (nationally recognised under AQF)

Who Is This For?

Choose the Upgrade Option if:

• You completed IFC and now realize you need formal credentials
• You’re applying for jobs that require qualifications
• You want to continue to Diploma/Degree later
• You want the confidence and credibility of a government-recognised qualification

Design skills for non-designers. Templates included.

Why Choose This Course?

• Practical and work-focused: Real-world office design tasks (reports, flyers, presentations)
• Templates included: Beautiful, ready-to-use InDesign templates (no need to design from scratch)
• Non-designer friendly: We teach you just what you need—no years of training required
• Optional assessments: Submit work only if you want formal recognition (many don’t—that’s fine)

This course is for people who need to create professional designs at work but aren’t pursuing a design career.

What You’ll Learn

• Desktop publishing basics
• Design thinking and preparation
• Using branding guidelines (work with existing brand identities)
• Creating design briefs and style guides
• Adobe InDesign (from complete beginner to proficient)
• Working with images, type, and colour
• Creating documents with impact
• Building reusable templates for your workplace

Key Details

Detail	Information
Duration	12 months access (self-paced)
Study mode	100% online
Prerequisites	None
Software	Adobe InDesign
Assessments	Optional (submit 3 designs if you want formal recognition)
Certificate issued	Certificate of Completion OR Statement of Attainment (if you submit assessments)

Optional Qualification

If you submit assessments, you can earn a Statement of Attainment covering 5 Units of Competency:

• ICPPRP224: Produce pages using a page layout application
• CUAPPR411: Realise a creative project
• CUAGRD311: Prepare files for print
• BSBWRT411: Write complex documents
• CUADIG304: Create visual design components

No pressure. Many students skip assessments and just learn the skills. It’s entirely your choice.

Who Is This For?

Choose Design@Work if:

• You’re not pursuing a design career—you just need skills for your current job
• You need to create marketing materials, reports, or presentations at work
• You want practical InDesign knowledge fast
• You prefer templates over designing from scratch

Social media template design using Canva. Fast, practical, portfolio-worthy.

Why Choose This Course?

• Canva-based: Easier than Adobe (great for beginners or non-Adobe users)
• Social media focused: Instagram, Pinterest, multi-platform templates
• Photography included: Learn product photography for content creation
• Fast: Complete in 3 months
• Build client services: Offer social media design as a service to businesses

If you want to create beautiful social media content for yourself or clients, this is your course.

What You’ll Learn

• Design elements and principles (foundations)
• Colour theory and psychology
• Typography and typeface pairing
• Brand strategy and style guides
• Social media audits and content strategies
• Performance metrics and analytics
• Product photography and photo editing in Canva
• Creating animated templates
• Client handover and presentations

Course Structure

3 modules with hands-on projects.

Key Details

Detail	Information
Duration	3 months access
Study mode	100% online, self-paced
Prerequisites	None
Software	Canva Pro (30-day free trial available; Canva doesn’t offer student discount)
Equipment	Computer or tablet; optional DSLR/camera phone for photography module
Assessments	Optional (4 final assessments if you want feedback and certification)
Certificate issued	Certificate of Completion + Statement of Modules Achieved (if assessments submitted)

Assessments (Optional)

If you submit assessments, you’ll create:

1. Design elements & principles questionnaire
2. Product photography concept
3. Home studio photoshoot (product imagery for content)
4. Social media template suite for a client

All assessments are portfolio-worthy work you can show clients.

Who Is This For?

Choose Design for Social Media if:

• You want to offer social media design services to clients
• You prefer Canva over Adobe (simpler, cloud-based, easier to learn)
• You need a fast, focused skillset (3 months vs. 12-15)
• You’re interested in product photography for content creation

Course	Duration	Nationally Recognised?	Study Hours	Software
Certificate IV (Full)	15 months	Yes (CUA40720)	~750 hrs	Adobe CC
IFC	12 months	No (Cert. of Completion)	~700 hrs	Adobe CC
Certificate IV (Upgrade)	3 months	Yes (CUA40720)	~50 hrs	Adobe CC
Design@Work	12 months	Optional (Statement of Attainment)	Variable	InDesign
Design for Social Media	3 months	No	Variable	Canva Pro

Adobe CC = Adobe Creative Cloud (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign)

For current prices, see Fees & Payments.

Not sure which course fits your goals? Here’s how to choose:

Choose Certificate IV (Full Qualification) if:

• You want a nationally recognised qualification from the start
• You’re eligible for Austudy (government financial support)
• You plan to continue to Diploma/Degree later
• You want maximum credibility with employers

Choose Intensive Foundation Course (IFC) if:

• You want portfolio skills without the qualification price tag
• You’re unsure if you need formal credentials (can upgrade later)
• You prefer flexibility and lower cost
• You’re confident the industry will hire you based on your portfolio

Choose Certificate IV (Upgrade) if:

• You completed IFC and now need formal credentials
• You’re applying for jobs that require qualifications
• You want a government-recognised qualification fast (3 months)

Choose Design@Work if:

• You’re not pursuing a design career—you just need work skills
• You need practical InDesign knowledge for your current job
• You want templates and quick results

Choose Design for Social Media if:

• You want to offer social media design services
• You prefer Canva over Adobe
• You need a fast, focused course (3 months)