Diploma of Accounting

Overview

Upgrade your existing accounting skills and solve complex financial problems. Our Diploma of Accounting teaches you how to manage a budget, prepare corporate reports, and tax documentation. Upon graduating, you can take your career even further with a Bachelor of Accounting.

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

Preparing tax documentation
Budget forecasting
Corporate reporting
Financial management
Advanced spreadsheeting

Your career opportunities

Financial services
Accountant
Financial reporting

Further education

Key codes

CRICOS course code

112487G

Hawthorn VTAC code

3400277204

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

Professional accreditation

This qualification includes units that comprise an approved Tax Practitioner Board (TPB) course in Australian taxation law and commercial law, which are relevant for registration as a tax agent. Persons seeking registration with the TPB should check current registration requirements with the TPB, as registration requirements are reviewed regularly.

Admissions

Students are required to complete the FNS40222 Certificate IV in Accounting and Bookkeeping prior to commencement of the FNS50222 Diploma of Accounting, or complete the following units of competency:

FNSACC321 Process financial transactions and extract interim reports
FNSACC322 Administer subsidiary accounts and ledgers
FNSACC418 Work effectively in the accounting and bookkeeping industry
FNSACC421 Prepare financial reports (this unit is the equivalent version of BSBFIA401 Prepare financial reports).

These competencies may have been achieved through completion of the following (or their equivalent):

FNSSS00014 Accounting Principles Skill Set
FNS40222 Certificate IV in Accounting and Bookkeeping

Other Requirements

Textbooks are required to be purchased and a booklist will be issued upon commencement.

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

Admissions

Students are required to complete the FNS40222 Certificate IV in Accounting and Bookkeeping prior to commencement of the FNS50222 Diploma of Accounting.

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

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 Accounting (Online delivery)

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

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

Discover more (Diploma of Business)

Course structure

To obtain this qualification, students must satisfy the entry requirements and complete 11 units, including 7 core and 4 elective units. Two elective units are available to be credited from FNS40222 Certificate IV in Accounting and Bookkeeping or equivalent training package.

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: 610

Your units

Diploma of Accounting

Units of study	Unit code
Core units
Design and produce complex spreadsheets Core unit	BSBTEC402
Provide financial and business performance information Core unit	FNSACC521
Prepare tax documentation for individuals Core unit	FNSACC522
Manage budgets and forecasts Core unit	FNSACC523
Prepare financial reports for corporate entities Core unit	FNSACC524
Implement and maintain internal control procedures Core unit	FNSACC526
Provide management accounting information Core unit	FNSACC527
Elective units
Apply legal principles in contract and consumer law Elective unit	FNSTPB503
Complete business activity and instalment activity statements Elective unit	FNSTPB411
Establish and maintain payroll systems Elective unit	FNSTPB412
Interpret and apply knowledge of taxation systems relevant to payroll Elective unit	FNSPAY515

2025 fees

Full fee* ($AUD)

$11,060

Skills first government-subsidised place* ($AUD)

$6,560

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

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

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)

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)

$365.00

SSAF fee* ($AUD)

$365.00

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

FNS50222

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

FNS50222

Apply directly

Course code

FNS50222

CRICOS code

112487G

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

3400277204

Apply through VTAC

Start dates

Location

Last date to apply

Start dates

Location

Start dates

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

Key codes

International student visa

Location options

Professional accreditation

Admission requirements

Admission requirements

Diploma of Accounting

Fees are estimates only

Fees are estimates only

SSAF fee* ($AUD)

SSAF fee* ($AUD)