Certificate IV in Design

Overview

Refine and strengthen your skills in graphic, interior, and product design to land your dream job. The Certificate IV in Design teaches you emerging design techniques using industry-standard software and technology such Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign and more. The course acts as a foundation year for exploring design diversity from both 2D and 3D perspectives. As you respond to industry-style briefs, you will build a portfolio to showcase your design work for employment or further study.

Get a copy of our course guide

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

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Skills you’ll learn

Adobe Creative Suite
Team building
Communication
Practical skills
Theoretical skills
Planning skills

Your career opportunities

Junior designer
Digital printing designer

Further education

Key codes

Hawthorn VTAC Code

3400278014

Wantirna VTAC Code

3401078014

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

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

Students will need to have access to a small practical workspace to continue working on projects remotely from time to time and to have access to art making materials and equipment.

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

Admission requirements

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

Visit course handbook

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

Assess your eligibility for entry to Swinburne

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 Photography and Digital Imaging

Discover more (Certificate IV in Photography and Digital Imaging)
Certificate IV in Screen and Media

Discover more (Certificate IV in Screen and Media)

Course structure

The Certificate IV in Design is a 1-year program delivered over two semesters. Classes are scheduled up to 20 hours per week including online units, additional study hours may also be required to prepare and complete tasks.

Core units

Elective units

1-year certificate

Course hours are estimated and may change based on study mode, unit choice, credits, or enrolment adjustments, total indicative nominal hours: 845

Your units

Certificate IV in Design

Units of study	Unit code
Core units
Apply critical thinking to work practices Core unit	BSBCRT411
Integrate colour theory and design processes Core unit	CUAACD411
Source and apply information on the history and theory of design Core unit	CUADES305
Generate design solutions Core unit	CUADES411
Interpret and respond to a design brief Core unit	CUADES412
Realise a creative project Core unit	CUAPPR411
Apply work health and safety practices Core unit	CUAWHS312
Elective units
Produce drawings to communicate ideas Elective unit	CUAACD311
Work with photomedia in creative practice Elective unit	CUAACD522
Create 2D digital animations Elective unit	CUAANM301
Explore and apply the creative design process to 2D forms Elective unit	CUADES302
Explore and apply the creative design process to 3D forms Elective unit	CUADES303
Research and apply techniques in product design Elective unit	CUADES422
Author interactive media Elective unit	CUADIG401
Use typography techniques Elective unit	CUAGRD312

2025 fees

Full fee* ($AUD)

$10,990

Skills first government-subsidised place* ($AUD)

$4,550

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

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

CUA40720

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

CUA40720

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

3400278014

Apply through VTAC

Wantirna VTAC code

3401078014

Apply through VTAC

Start dates

Location

Last date to apply

Start dates

March intake

Hawthorn

25-February-2026

02-March-2026

March intake

Wantirna

25-February-2026

02-March-2026

Start dates

Location

Start dates

March intake

Hawthorn

02-March-2026

March intake

Wantirna

02-March-2026

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

Overview

Entry requirements

Study structure

Fees & Scholarships

How to apply

Overview

Are you in high school?

Skills you’ll learn

Your career opportunities

Further education

Key codes

International student visa

Location options

Admission requirements

Certificate IV in Design

Fees are estimates only

Fees are estimates only