Diploma of Justice

Overview

Help combat discrimination, inequality, and abuses of power with a Diploma of Justice. We’ll teach you how the Victorian criminal justice system works – the theory and practice behind it – as well as how to manage adult offenders and work within family violence circumstances. Graduate with confidence to begin your career.

Get a copy of our course guide

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

Are you in high school?

Back by popular demand: A Day in the Life of a Swinburne Student. See what uni is really like with hands-on workshops, presentations and more across different study areas.

Find out more

Skills you’ll learn

Theoretical knowledge
Strategy
Processes
Justice principles

Your career opportunities

Case management
Claims
Client support work
Investigation
Police and law enforcement
Loss prevention work

Further education

Key codes

Hawthorn VTAC code

3400211324

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

Admissions

Applicants must be over 18 years old when the course commences.

Applicants require a minimum of completion of Year 12 or equivalent.

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

One of the following:

the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) or its equivalent, such as an interstate or international Year 12 qualification.
completion or partial completion of an approved tertiary qualification (including diplomas, advanced diplomas, associate degrees and degrees).

Other requirements

Applicants for the Diploma of Justice (22594VIC) are expected to have a demonstrated capacity in learning, reading, writing, oracy to Level 4 and numeracy to Level 3 of the Australian Core Skills Framework (ACSF) as they are required to work independently and use support from a range of unfamiliar and/or unpredictable resources; read complex text with specialised vocabulary; embed information in a justice context; and conduct complex analysis, which includes extracting, extrapolating and reflecting on information.

Applicants will be required to complete literacy and numeracy testing (BKSB) as part of the application process.

Applicants must be able to use a personal computer, including basic word processing, spreadsheet, and electronic communication platforms and internet search engines.

Technical requirements

Students need a headphone/microphone and camera through a computer connected to the internet to use 'Collaborate Ultra ' within the CANVAS learning management platform.

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.

Diploma of Justice (Online delivery)

Discover more (Diploma of Justice (Online delivery))
Certificate IV in Youth Work

Discover more (Certificate IV in Youth Work)

Course structure

The full-time course consists of 12 units; 10 core and 2 electives. The full-time course is taught on campus over 12 months with 4 terms of 9 weeks. Full-time students typically have 12 hours of timetabled classes a week over three days for one year.

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: 660

Your units

Diploma of Justice

Units of study	Unit code
Core units
Apply foundation legal principles Core unit	VU23166
Apply writing and presentation skills within a justice environment Core unit	VU23168
Support the ethics and values of working within a justice environment Core unit	VU23169
Apply self-management and workplace health and safety (WHS) strategies in the justice environment Core unit	VU23174
Work with conflict resolution and mediation processes within justice environments Core unit	VU23173
Support cultural diversity in justice environments Core unit	VU23172
Prepare to work within the criminal justice system Core unit	VU23167
Support cultural safety for First Nations people within a justice environment Core unit	VU23175
Prepare to work with family violence contexts within justice environments Core unit	VU23171
Apply criminal law within justice environments Core unit	VU23170
Elective units
Support the management of adult offenders within the Victorian correctional framework Elective unit	VU23176
Identify and support children and young people at risk Elective unit	VU23177

2025 fees

Full fee* ($AUD)

$11,160

Skills first government-subsidised place* ($AUD)

$4,640

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

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

22594VIC

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

22594VIC

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

3400211324

Apply through VTAC

Start dates

Location

Last date to apply

Start dates

August Intake

Hawthorn

30-July-2025

04-August-2025

Start dates

Location

Start dates

August Intake

Hawthorn

04-August-2025

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

From Diploma to employment at IBAC

After taking on the Diploma of Justice, Skye chose to come back and complete her Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice. As part of her course, Skye chose to undertake an internship, which not only was turned into part-time employment while she was studying, but was a stepping stone for ongoing employment in 2021.

Skye , Bachelor of Criminal Justice and Criminology

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

Need to undertake an English assessment for entry?

Diploma of Justice

Fees are estimates only

Fees are estimates only

SSAF fee* ($AUD)

SSAF fee* ($AUD)