Certificate IV in Screen and Media

Overview

Create content for film, TV, animation and YouTube by studying the Certificate IV in Screen and Media. Learn the art of writing and pitching, storyboarding, as well as audio, video, and animation production. Hone your collaborative skills and develop industry knowledge to become recognised within the sector.

The Certificate IV in Screen and Media is also delivered in a fully online study mode, part-time over a flexible 18-month period.

Get a copy of our course guide

This is a nationally approved vocational course that is recognised throughout Australia.

Are you in high school?

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Skills you’ll learn

Editing and post-production process
Cinematography and video production
Visual effects and 2D animation
Screen writing and pitching
Drawing and storyboarding
Sound recording and sound design

Your career opportunities

Cinematographer and camera operator
Sound recordist and sound designer
2D animation and special effects developer
Assistant director
Vision editor assistant

Key codes

Hawthorn VTAC code

3400210294

International student visa

International students in Australia who hold student visas are required to study full-time and on campus. Courses that are taught entirely online are only available to international students studying outside Australia or those in Australia who are not on a student visa. Online courses are not available to international students in Australia who hold a student visa.

Location options

Hawthorn

Further education

Why Swinburne?

The course is taught by award winning screen writers, cinematographers, directors, sound designers, editors, as well as animators.

Sources

Certificate IV Screen and Media

View projects by Swinburne students studying a Certificate IV in Screen and Media. Create content for film, TV, animation and YouTube by studying the Certificate IV in Screen and Media. Learn the art of writing and pitching, storyboarding, as well as audio, video, and animation production. Hone your collaborative skills and develop industry knowledge to become recognised within the sector.

View transcript [135KB]

Admissions

Entry into this program is based on an applicant’s study and/or relevant work history, with a minimum Year 11 completion (or equivalent). Some additional criteria may also apply.

Applicants without formal qualifications but with significant relevant work experience are welcome to apply.

Successful completion of Australian Year 12, or equivalent overseas qualification.

Assess your eligibility for entry to Swinburne

Other requirements

Technical Requirements

To engage fully in your studies, you are required to purchase or access the following equipment and technologies.

Computer
Headphone with microphone
Camera through a computer connected to the internet to use “Collaborate Ultra” within the CANVAS Learning Management System
Internet access
External Hard Drive (1TB minimum)

When purchasing or accessing a computer we highly recommend the below specifications are considered either Apple Macintosh or Windows PC.

Computer recommendations:

Component	Minimum Performance	Top Performance
GPU	1080p: 4GB VRAM or 4K: 8GB VRAM	6K-8K: 20GB VRAM
CPU	4 Cores	18 Cores
RAM	HD: 16GB 4K: 32GB	6K-8K: 64GB
Internal Storage	1TB SSD	4TD: SSD

Admission requirements

Meeting the minimum entry requirements for the course does not guarantee an offer of a place. See admission requirements for general information about the admission process.

Credit transfer

Credit transfer is the recognition of academic credits gained through formal study (i.e. units of competency) completed either at another institute or in another qualification. The total amount of credit will vary from individual to individual, based on the unit/s that have been successfully completed.

Learn more about credit

Recognition of prior learning

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is the process of transferring the skills and knowledge that you have acquired over your lifetime (irrespective of how they were obtained) against the requirements of the unit.

RPL is an assessment process that requires you to provide evidence that demonstrates how you meet the requirements of the unit/s. The amount and types of evidence you will need to provide will depend on the unit requirements.

Learn more about RPL

Finding your fit

At Swinburne, we recognise that not one size fits all. If this course doesn’t meet all your study criteria, check out these alternatives.

Diploma of Screen and Media - Animation

Discover more (Diploma of Screen and Media - Animation)
Diploma of Screen and Media - Film and Television

Discover more (Diploma of Screen and Media - Film and Television)
Certificate IV in Screen Media

Discover more (Certificate IV in Screen Media)

Course structure

This course will be suited to students who wish to develop their fundamental skills and knowledge in Film and TV, Animation, Sports Media, and YouTube content creation. The Certificate IV in Screen and Media consists of 13 units (4 core and 9 elective units) delivered full time over 12 months (two semesters). Each semester is delivered over a period of 3 full days a week with both On-Campus and Online classes designed to provide flexible learning for learners.

The Certificate IV in Screen and Media is specifically designed for a learner cohort with no or limited media industry experience. It aims to provide students with broad fundamental skill and knowledge of the screen and media industry, preparing students for entry level industry positions or higher-level qualifications.

Students must complete the 4 core and 9 elective units listed.

Core units

Elective units

Certificate IV

Course hours are estimated and may change based on study mode, unit choice, credits, or enrolment adjustments, total indicative nominal hours: 735

Your units

Certificate IV in Screen and Media

Units of study	Unit code
Core units
Develop personal work priorities Core unit	BSBPEF402
Work effectively in the creative arts industry Core unit	CUAIND311
Develop and implement own self-care plan in the creative industries Core unit	CUAMWB401
Apply work health and safety practices Core unit	CUAWHS312
Elective units
Produce drawings to communicate ideas Elective unit	CUAACD311
Create 2D digital animations Elective unit	CUAANM301
Create digital visual effects Elective unit	CUAANM412
Shoot material for screen productions Elective unit	CUACAM311
Generate design solutions Elective unit	CUADES411
Produce innovative video art Elective unit	CUADIG416
Perform basic vision and sound editing Elective unit	CUAPOS211
Record sounds Elective unit	CUASOU405
Write extended stories Elective unit	CUAWRT402

2025 fees

Full fee* ($AUD)

$11,700

Skills first government-subsidised place* ($AUD)

$5,570

Concession rate* ($AUD)

$1,030

2025 fees

Fees are estimates only

Fees published on this page are estimates only and are subject to change depending on individual circumstances at the time of enrolment. The above fees apply for units studied in 2025 only and may change for units studied in future years. There may be additional costs related to learning material and equipment.

Fees are estimates only

The indicative course fees shown apply to international students for the relevant year, based on a standard study load per year. Fees are assessed according to actual study load each semester, with variations to study load resulting in tuition fee adjustments. These fees generally include the Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF) and are subject to annual review. Enrolled students will receive reasonable notice of any fee changes before payment is due.

Skills first government-subsidised place

This training is delivered with Victorian and Commonwealth Government funding. To qualify for a government-subsidised place, you must meet various eligibility criteria. The course you’ve applied for must also be offering government-subsidised places. Swinburne will determine your eligibility by conducting a full assessment of your eligibility during the course application process.

Learn more about Skills first government subsidies

How do I pay my fees?

You can pay your Swinburne fees in person, via credit card, BPAY, or at Australia Post. Check to see if loans and employer sponsored training are also available.

Find out more about fees

International students need to pay tuition fees up-front by the relevant due date. You can find the due dates on your Statement of Account.

To pay your fees:

log in to My Financials
check your Australian bank account details are correct
check your Statement of Account to see how much you owe
pay using your preferred payment method.

Learn more about paying your fees

Concessions rates for vocational students

If you’re enrolling in a Certificate IV-level program or below, are eligible for a government-subsidised training place and hold a valid concession card, you may be eligible for a concession of 80 per cent off the published fee of your unit(s) tuition – which means you’ll only be charged 20 per cent of the published fee.

Learn more about concession rates

Scholarships

Scholarship applications for 2025 are open. Scholarships at Swinburne are about providing opportunity, promoting equity and recognising excellence and achievement. We want you to reach your potential and achieve your life and career goals.

Our handy guide will assist you to gather documents for your application.

Learn more about scholarships

When you apply for a Swinburne course, we automatically consider you for an international scholarship of up to 30 per cent off your course fees – no separate application required! Just apply for your Swinburne course of choice and when we review your course application, we will also assess you for an international scholarship.

Learn more about scholarships

Apply through an agent

Most international students use an education agent to help them through the application process. Swinburne has agents all over the world that can help you with your application to study. Search for a Swinburne representative in your country. If your country is not listed, please contact us.

Representatives and agents

CUA41220

Search for agents

Apply directly

Ready to take on a new challenge and reach your academic goals? If you already know which course you want to study and understand the entry requirements, what are you waiting for? Apply online! Remember, you cannot apply direct if you have an active VTAC application.

Course code

CUA41220

Apply directly

Apply through VTAC

International students currently studying Year 12 in Australia must apply through VTAC. VTAC is the central office that administers the application processes for places in tertiary courses, scholarships and the Special Entry Access Scheme at universities, TAFEs and independent tertiary colleges in Victoria.

VTAC is the central office that administers the application processes for places in tertiary courses, scholarships and the Special Entry Access Scheme at universities, TAFEs and independent tertiary colleges in Victoria.

Apply through VTAC

Start dates

Location

Last date to apply

Start dates

Location

Start dates

Upcoming events

A Day in the Life of a Swinburne Student | Creative

08-April-2025

A Day in the Life of a Swinburne Student | STEM, Aviation & Health

09-April-2025

A Day in the Life of a Swinburne Student | Social Impact and Innovation

10-April-2025

"After completing this course, I feel very confident in heading out into the screen and media industry. From pre-production to post-production, this course covered the whole process and all its diversities. Equipped with all the skills and knowledge, I feel ready to be successful in the industry."

Chelsea Richards , Certificate IV in Screen and Media

Overview

Entry requirements

Study structure

Fees & Scholarships

How to apply

Overview

Are you in high school?

Skills you’ll learn

Your career opportunities

Key codes

International student visa

Location options

Further education

Why Swinburne?

Certificate IV Screen and Media

Admission requirements

Certificate IV in Screen and Media

Fees are estimates only

Fees are estimates only