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CUA60320 Advanced Diploma of Graphic Design

National ID
CUA60320
WA Course Code
BGS1
CRICOS code
108217H
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Why choose this course?

Take advantage of our industry connections and enhance your graphic design skills with this course. During the program you will develop a stunning portfolio to make you ‘industry-ready’.

This qualification culminates in the end-of-year graduation show, which is the highlight of the year. The show is attended by industry stakeholders, many of whom are alumni and are now leading the industry.

The program is designed to meet industry needs and will ensure that any design solutions you present are current. In your course you will choose from two specialisation streams — User Experience Design or Illustration, which gives you the opportunity to specialise in electives that focus on the stream of your choice.

During your studies you will complete live briefs with real clients. You will challenge yourself with graphic design projects that are demanding and also very rewarding. Upon graduation you can further your studies at university level and receive advanced standing at all WA universities including Curtin University.

Career opportunities

  • Graphic Designer
  • Web and Multimedia Designer

  • An IELTS score (academic) of 6.0 with no band score less than 5.0 or equivalent.

  • Completion of CUA50720 Diploma of Graphic Design is required for entry into this course.

​Please view Admission requirements for your country of origin.

Your study options

Semester 1, 2025

Duration | 2 semesters
When | Semester 1, 2025
Where | North Metropolitan TAFE (52786)

Location map

How | On campus, to a minimum of 20 contact hours per week
Fees (total indicative for course)
  • Tuition fee: $12,804
  • Resources fee: $1,100
  • Materials fee: $200

Tuition fees are reviewed annually. If tuition fees are increased, you will be required to pay the new fees as they are introduced. You will be provided with an indicative schedule of fees in your Letter of Offer.

Resource fees are for consumables you use in your course e.g. paint, internet etc. You pay this fee to your college at enrolment. If your course goes longer than one semester, the resource fee may not need to be paid in one amount but may be spaced out over the duration of your course. Your college will advise you of the payment amount each semester.

Material fees are for items that remain your property after the course has been completed e.g. personal protective equipment, tools, text books etc. You pay this fee to your college at enrolment.

Work placement

There is no work placement requirement for this course. 

To achieve this qualification, students must demonstrate competency in 15 units. These 15 are comprised of 6 core units and 9 elective units. Elective units listed below have been selected in consultation with industry.

Students who enrol into this qualification will be eligible for credit transfer of the units that they have already achieved. Fees paid by international students are set on a commercial basis and are paid as a whole of course fee - no refund will apply to credit transfers. Please refer to your letter of Offer for detailed duration and costings for your enrolment.

Core units
    National ID
    Unit title
  • CUADES512 Establish, negotiate and refine a design brief
  • CUADES611 Manage design realisation
  • CUAGRD603 Extend typographic design expertise
  • CUAGRD611 Engage in the business of graphic design
  • CUAGRD612 Originate graphic designs for complex briefs
  • CUAPPR612 Collaborate in professional creative projects
Elective units
    National ID
    Unit title
  • BSBLEG525 Apply legal principles in intellectual property law matters
  • CUADIG512 Design digital applications
  • CUADIG516 Design interactions
  • CUAGRD614 Develop and execute advertising concepts
  • CUAGRD615 Develop graphic designs for the built environment
  • CUAGRD616 Develop graphic designs for packaging
  • CUAGRD617 Develop graphic designs for branding and identity
  • CUAPPR514 Establish and maintain environmentally sustainable creative practice
  • ICTPRG535 Build advanced user interfaces

Assessment methods

The methods of assessment used in this course are practical in nature as required by industry. The advanced diploma year concentrates on developing a portfolio that best prepares students for entering the workforce. The collaborative learning environment, with emphasis on group and teamwork, also develops the individual personally to be able to cope in the industry. Personal and client handling skills plus a portfolio will enable students to seek employment.

These assessment strategies and evidence gathering are in accordance with the relevant training package or accreditation guidelines. Detailed Information is available in the assessment matrix, learning plans and assessment tools for each of the units of competency. Assessors use the matrix to ensure assessments, are undertaken across the duration of the course, rather than clustered together at particular times.

Learning resources, facilities and equipment

The following learning resources, facilities and equipment are available at each campus so that you can achieve the skill and knowledge requirements of this course.

 

Learning resources may include access to Blackboard, learning and assessment plans, handouts, reference materials, workbook evidence templates, and links to YouTube channels for tutorials.

 

Facilities and equipment may include access to workstations setup to simulate industry, IMac 27” computers, Mac labs, projectors with sound, lecture theatres with projection and sound for small presentations and when an industry speaker or alumnus visits, Adobe Creative Suite of software, scanning software, Trimble Sketchup, Blender 3D software, computer labs equipped with WACOM INTUOS and 4 digital tablets for each workstation and access to four WACOM CINTIQUE workstations for more specialised functions.  

Key dates

Semester and holiday dates are included in your Letter of Offer. View upcoming semester start and end dates.

Semester 1, 2026

Duration | 2 semesters
When | Semester 1, 2026
Where | North Metropolitan TAFE (52786)

Location map

How | On campus, to a minimum of 20 contact hours per week
Fees (total indicative for course)
  • Tuition fee: $12,804
  • Resources fee: $1,100
  • Materials fee: $200

Tuition fees are reviewed annually. If tuition fees are increased, you will be required to pay the new fees as they are introduced. You will be provided with an indicative schedule of fees in your Letter of Offer.

Resource fees are for consumables you use in your course e.g. paint, internet etc. You pay this fee to your college at enrolment. If your course goes longer than one semester, the resource fee may not need to be paid in one amount but may be spaced out over the duration of your course. Your college will advise you of the payment amount each semester.

Material fees are for items that remain your property after the course has been completed e.g. personal protective equipment, tools, text books etc. You pay this fee to your college at enrolment.

Work placement

There is no work placement requirement for this course. 

To achieve this qualification, students must demonstrate competency in 15 units. These 15 are comprised of 6 core units and 9 elective units. Elective units listed below have been selected in consultation with industry.

Students who enrol into this qualification will be eligible for credit transfer of the units that they have already achieved. Fees paid by international students are set on a commercial basis and are paid as a whole of course fee - no refund will apply to credit transfers. Please refer to your letter of Offer for detailed duration and costings for your enrolment.

Core units
    National ID
    Unit title
  • CUADES512 Establish, negotiate and refine a design brief
  • CUADES611 Manage design realisation
  • CUAGRD603 Extend typographic design expertise
  • CUAGRD611 Engage in the business of graphic design
  • CUAGRD612 Originate graphic designs for complex briefs
  • CUAPPR612 Collaborate in professional creative projects
Elective units
    National ID
    Unit title
  • BSBLEG525 Apply legal principles in intellectual property law matters
  • CUADIG512 Design digital applications
  • CUADIG516 Design interactions
  • CUAGRD614 Develop and execute advertising concepts
  • CUAGRD615 Develop graphic designs for the built environment
  • CUAGRD616 Develop graphic designs for packaging
  • CUAGRD617 Develop graphic designs for branding and identity
  • CUAPPR514 Establish and maintain environmentally sustainable creative practice
  • ICTPRG535 Build advanced user interfaces

Assessment methods

The methods of assessment used in this course are practical in nature as required by industry. The advanced diploma year concentrates on developing a portfolio that best prepares students for entering the workforce. The collaborative learning environment, with emphasis on group and teamwork, also develops the individual personally to be able to cope in the industry. Personal and client handling skills plus a portfolio will enable students to seek employment.

These assessment strategies and evidence gathering are in accordance with the relevant training package or accreditation guidelines. Detailed Information is available in the assessment matrix, learning plans and assessment tools for each of the units of competency. Assessors use the matrix to ensure assessments, are undertaken across the duration of the course, rather than clustered together at particular times.

Learning resources, facilities and equipment

The following learning resources, facilities and equipment are available at each campus so that you can achieve the skill and knowledge requirements of this course.

Learning resources may include access to Blackboard, learning and assessment plans, handouts, reference materials, workbook evidence templates, and links to YouTube channels for tutorials.

Facilities and equipment may include access to workstations setup to simulate industry, IMac 27” computers, Mac labs, projectors with sound, lecture theatres with projection and sound for small presentations and when an industry speaker or alumnus visits, Adobe Creative Suite of software, scanning software, Trimble Sketchup, Blender 3D software, computer labs equipped with WACOM INTUOS and 4 digital tablets for each workstation and access to four WACOM CINTIQUE workstations for more specialised functions.  

Key dates

Semester and holiday dates are included in your Letter of Offer. View upcoming semester start and end dates.

There may be further semester intakes available for enrolment. You can view any further intakes when you submit your online application(opens in a new tab).

For information about pathways from TAFE to university, view our Pathways to university page.

How to apply

Apply to study at TAFE in six steps:

  1. find a course;
  2. check entry requirements;
  3. submit an application;
  4. accept your offer and pay;
  5. apply for your student visa; and
  6. receive your visa and come to Australia for your studies.

View our TAFE application process page for detailed advice

Apply now(opens in a new tab)

Student Chris Wong at TAFE campus
Chris (Long Hei)
Hong Kong SAR China
Perth

I heard that graphic design is one of the best courses offered at TAFE and when compared to other universities it’s more practical and cheaper. This course helped to expand my skills and knowledge, and connect me with industry.

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TAFE International Western Australia (TIWA) is the Registered Training Organisation (RTO) and Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS) provider, for the delivery of training to international students, enrolled in a TAFE course in Western Australia. This nationally recognised course is delivered by a Western Australian TAFE college on TIWA's behalf. TIWA retains responsibility for the quality of the training and assessment delivered by the TAFE colleges and for the issue of certification documentation to students.

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Last updated on November 24, 2022