Certificate IV in Accounting and Bookkeeping

Overview

Kick-start a rewarding career with a Certificate IV in Accounting and Bookkeeping. Gain skills, knowledge and confidence in accounts receivable, accounts payable, financial reporting, budgeting, payroll, spreadsheets, Xero and MYOB. Employment opportunities exist across a variety of industries. This course meets the educational requirements for registration as a BAS agent by the Tax Practitioners Board.

Get a copy of our course guide

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

Got questions about a course?

Don’t miss our Study Expo – the best place to chat with academics and teaching staff for answers to all your Swinburne questions, from entry requirements to graduation outcomes.

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Skills you’ll learn

Accounting
Bookkeeping
Reporting
Budgeting
Payroll duties
Completing BAS

Your career opportunities

Accounts payable officer
Accounts receivable officer
Bookkeeper
Administration officer
Payroll officer
Self employment

Further education

Location options

Professional accreditation

Students will be eligible for a free student membership with the Institute of Certified Bookkeepers (ICB) as Swinburne is recognised as an Accredited Training Provider. Student membership is available for the Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) upon application.

Admissions

This course is designed for candidates who wish to enter the Accounting and Bookkeeping industries either as a result of having a strong interest in this area from High School, changing career path, or assisting a family business with their finance.

Applicants require a minimum of Year 12 completion or equivalent.

Non-school leavers without formal qualifications are welcome to apply.

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.

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

Assess your eligibility for entry to Swinburne

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 Accounting and Bookkeeping Online Delivery

Discover more (Certificate IV in Accounting and Bookkeeping Online Delivery)
Diploma of Accounting

Discover more (Diploma of Accounting)
Diploma of Business

Discover more (Diploma of Business)

Course structure

To obtain this qualification, students must complete 13 units, including 10 core and 3 elective units.

It is an 18-week program delivered over two terms (9 weeks per term).

Classes are scheduled 4 days per week (1-2 units online).

Additional study hours may also be required to prepare and complete tasks.

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: 620

Your units

Certificate IV in Accounting and Bookkeeping

Units of study	Unit code
Core units
Design and produce spreadsheets Core unit	BSBTEC302
Process financial transactions and extract interim reports Core unit	FNSACC321
Administer subsidiary accounts and ledgers Core unit	FNSACC322
Prepare operational budgets Core unit	FNSACC412
Prepare financial statements for non-reporting entities Core unit	FNSACC414
Work effectively in the accounting and bookkeeping industry Core unit	FNSACC418
Prepare financial reports Core unit	FNSACC421
Set up and operate computerised accounting systems Core unit	FNSACC426
Complete business activity and instalment activity statements Core unit	FNSTPB411
Establish and maintain payroll systems Core unit	FNSTPB412
Elective units
Perform financial calculations Elective unit	FNSACC323
Establish legal and risk management requirements of new business ventures Elective unit	BSBESB402
Write simple documents Elective unit	BSBWRT311

2025 fees

Full fee* ($AUD)

$9,100

Skills first government-subsidised place* ($AUD)

$4,620

Concession rate* ($AUD)

$888

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

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.

Learn more about VET student loans

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

Study this course for free in 2025

You could have your tuition fees covered in 2025 thanks to the Victorian Government's Free TAFE initiative.

Free TAFE is available to any Australian citizen, permanent resident or New Zealand citizen.

There are other factors, too. The best way to find out if you’re eligible is to apply!

Check your eligibility (Study this course for free in 2025)

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

FNS40222

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

FNS40222

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.

Wantirna VTAC code

3401010574

Apply through VTAC

Start dates

Location

Last date to apply

Start dates

August Intake

Hawthorn

30-July-2025

04-August-2025

August Intake

Wantirna

30-July-2025

04-August-2025

Start dates

Location

Start dates

August Intake

Hawthorn

04-August-2025

August Intake

Wantirna

04-August-2025

Upcoming events

Swinburne Study Expo (Wantirna)

28-May-2025

Swinburne Study Expo (Hawthorn)

05-June-2025

Swinburne Study Expo (Croydon)

11-June-2025

Overview

Entry requirements

Study structure

Fees & Scholarships

How to apply

Overview

Got questions about a course?

Skills you’ll learn

Your career opportunities

Further education

Location options

Professional accreditation

Admission requirements

Need to undertake an English assessment for entry?

Certificate IV in Accounting and Bookkeeping

Fees are estimates only

Fees are estimates only

Study this course for free in 2025