Diploma of Graphic Design

Overview

Cut through the noise with a design portfolio that sets you apart from competitors. Make impactful visual statements through Swinburne’s Diploma of Graphic Design. Attend practical workshops and online activities to hone creative and conceptual skills. Respond to professional-style design briefs using tools such as Adobe Suite, After Effect and InDesign. Emerge ready for a career in film, TV, web design, advertising and more.

Get a copy of our course guide

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

Skills you’ll learn

Environmental design
Communication
Problem solving
Technical skills
Adobe Suite

Your career opportunities

Graphic designer
Web designer
Publisher

Further education

Advanced Diploma of Graphic Design

Key codes

Hawthorn VTAC code

3400278114

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.

International student visa

Location options

Hawthorn

Admissions

To enter this qualification, applicants require a minimum of Year 12 completion or equivilent. Applicants must also provide evidence of their technical skills and ability to:

produce multiple examples of graphic design work that meets different design requirements
produce typography that supports the overall design solution
use graphic design industry software (e.g. Adobe)

Applicants will be required to provide a folio of work.

Skills may have been acquired through personal or work experience, or through formal study.

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

Assess your eligibility for entry to Swinburne

Other requirements

Students will need to have access to a small practical workspace to continue working on projects remotely from time to time.

Technical requirements

Students will also require the technology and access to the internet for facilitation of online classes including video and audio requirements.

Online digital units require students to download and use the Swinburne supported software such as the Adobe Creative Suite.

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.

English language requirements

Satisfactory completion of one of the following:

IELTS overall band of 6.0 (Academic Module) with no individual band below 6.0
Swinburne’s English for Academic Purposes (EAP 5 Advanced level) with overall 65%, all skills 65% or above
or equivalent measures available at English language requirements.

Need to undertake an English assessment for entry?

A prerequisite for many courses, the Pearson Test of English (PTE Academic) can now be done at our Hawthorn campus.

Book your Pearson Test of English

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.

Certificate IV in Design

Discover more (Certificate IV in Design)
Diploma of Visual Arts

Discover more (Diploma of Visual Arts)

Course structure

The Diploma of Graphic Design is a 1-year program delivered over three semesters. Classes are scheduled up to 25 hours per week including online units, additional study hours may also be required to prepare and complete tasks.

Core units

Elective units

Diploma

Course hours are estimated and may change based on study mode, unit choice, credits, or enrolment adjustments, total indicative nominal hours: 1165

Your units

Diploma of Graphic Design

Units of study	Unit code
Core units
Refine drawing and other visual representation tools Core unit	CUAACD531
Develop and extend design skills and practice Core unit	CUADES413
Research visual communication history and theory Core unit	CUAGRD501
Produce graphic designs for 2-D and 3-D applications Core unit	CUAGRD502
Produce typographic design solutions Core unit	CUAGRD503
Create and manipulate graphics Core unit	CUAGRD514
Design and manipulate complex layouts Core unit	CUAGRD515
Develop graphic design practice to meet industry needs Core unit	CUAGRD516
Present a body of own creative work Core unit	CUAPPR513
Elective units
Work with photomedia in creative practice Elective unit	CUAACD522
Research and apply light and colour Elective unit	CUAACD534
Develop graphic designs for branding and identity Elective unit	CUAGRD617
Design specifications for animation and digital visual effects Elective unit	CUAANM513
Create user interfaces Elective unit	CUADIG413
Design digital applications Elective unit	CUADIG512
Design interactions Elective unit	CUADIG516
Develop graphic designs for the built environment Elective unit	CUAGRD615
Develop graphic designs for packaging Elective unit	CUAGRD616
Develop professional illustrations Elective unit	CUAILL511

2025 fees

Full fee* ($AUD)

$18,400

Skills first government-subsidised place* ($AUD)

$12,380

Yearly fee* ($AUD)

$0.00

2025 fees

Yearly fee* ($AUD)

$0.00

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

Eligibility for VET student loans (VSL)

If you apply for a VET Student Loan, Swinburne must first verify your identity. If you are eligible, we will provide your enrolment information to the government so you can complete the application within their eCAF system.

The VET Student Loan amount for this course is capped. You must start repaying this loan once you earn above the compulsory repayment threshold.

VET Student Loan amount* ($AUD)

$18,838

Learn more about VET student loans

Concessions rates for vocational students

Concession rates for Diploma and Advanced Diploma programs are also available if you self-identify as being of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent and qualify for a government-subsidised training place under the Indigenous Completions Initiative.

The eligibility criteria are set by the Victorian Government and assessed by Swinburne in accordance with government directives, which are subject to change at any time.

Learn more about concession rates

Student services and amenities fee

This funding serves to improve the student experience at Swinburne. You may use many or just some of the services and amenities that the fee provides.

From 1 January 2024, all courses at the Diploma level and higher will contribute to the Student Services and Amenities fee.

Please refer to the Student Services Amenities Fee page for more information.

This funding serves to improve the student experience at Swinburne. You may use many or just some of the services and amenities that the fee provides.

This amenities fee is included within your annual tuition fee listed above. The fee shown is the capped amount for 2025.

Please refer to the Student Services Amenities Fee page for more information.

SSAF fee* ($AUD)

$351.00

SSAF fee* ($AUD)

$351.00

Learn more about SSAF

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

CUA50720

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

CUA50720

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.

Hawthorn VTAC code

3400278114

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

I learned how to look at designs critically. My illustrations, and their composition, colour and technique, improved dramatically and I was a finalist in the Australian Good Design Award for student packaging. Now, I’m working as a freelance illustrator and designer in one of the illustration hubs of the world – the UK.

Georgia , Diploma of Graphic Design

Overview

Entry requirements

Study structure

Fees & Scholarships

How to apply

Overview

Skills you’ll learn

Your career opportunities

Further education

Key codes

International student visa

International student visa

Location options

Admission requirements

Need to undertake an English assessment for entry?

Diploma of Graphic Design

Fees are estimates only

Fees are estimates only

VET Student Loan amount* ($AUD)

SSAF fee* ($AUD)

SSAF fee* ($AUD)