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  4. Diploma of Graphic Design
QUALIFICATION

Diploma of Graphic Design


 National Code: CUA50725
 TAFE SA Code: TP01556


2027 start

Description

Turn creativity into a career with this nationally recognised Diploma of Graphic Design. Build the creative thinking, technical skills and strategic design knowledge needed to solve visual communication challenges across print, digital and interactive media.

You’ll explore branding, typography, illustration, digital design, UX/UI, motion graphics and content creation through practical projects and industry-style briefs. Along the way, you’ll build a professional portfolio that showcases your unique creative voice.

Choose to study online or on campus at the Adelaide College of the Arts, supported by experienced designers and educators with strong industry connections. You’ll work with industry-standard software and emerging technologies, including AI-assisted creative tools, in a professional and ethical way, with a free licence to Adobe Creative Cloud while you study.

Graduate with the skills, confidence and portfolio to pursue opportunities across the creative industries or continue your studies at Advanced Diploma level.

Award Course International
Duration
Example Career Profile
Print Course Page
12 months 

Full Time or Part Time equivalent

Graphic and Multimedia Designer
Graphic and Multimedia Designer
Print

Locations & Applications

Campus / Location
Code
Study Mode
Study Load
Scheduled
Online

804004

Online Online – learn at your own pace, in your own space. Lecturer support will be provided via email and interaction with fellow students may be available via forums and chat groups. Online courses require access to a computer with an internet connection.
Full & Part Time Full & Part Time Full & Part Time
 
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Adelaide College of the Arts

804324

On Campus On campus/location – learn in a classroom environment that gives you the opportunity to interact with your lecturer and fellow students in person.
Full Time Full Time
Day Only
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Icon Legend

On campus/location

On Campus/Location

On campus/location – learn in a classroom environment that gives you the opportunity to interact with your lecturer and fellow students in person.
Online

Online

Online – learn at your own pace, in your own space. Lecturer support will be provided via email and interaction with fellow students may be available via forums and chat groups. Online courses require access to a computer with an internet connection.
Blended

Blended

Blended – learn in a mixture of classroom and online environments. On campus learning will be scheduled but online learning can provide more flexibility. Lecturer support will be provided for all study. Access to a computer with an internet connection is required.
Virtual Classroom

Virtual Classroom

Virtual Classroom – online classes are delivered by Collaborate. Collaborate is a web-based online classroom collaboration tool that acts as a real-time virtual classroom.
Workplace

Workplace

Workplace – if you are currently employed in the industry but do not have a formal qualification TAFE SA can recognise the skills you already have. The duration of the course will be determined by your individual study plan.
Full Time

Full Time

Full Time classes
Part Time

Part Time

Part Time classes
Day Classes

Day Classes

Day time classes
Evening Classes

Evening Classes

Evening time classes
International

International

A course available to International students

Course Admission Requirements

  • Completion of a Language, Literacy, Numeracy and Digital Assessment (LLND)

and

  • Certificate III or higher in a design related area
    • or
  • Completion of TAFE SA Graphic Design bridging course
    • or
  • Submission of 3 basic design samples that demonstrate your interest in graphic design, including examples of 2D design, typography, imagery, creative use of colour, and the use of graphic design software such as Adobe Creative Cloud, Canva or similar

Information Sessions


 Online. A link will be provided to those that register.
 Tuesday 22nd September 2026, 6.00pm - 7:00pm
 as listed above

Register to attend


 Online. A link will be provided to those that register.
 Tuesday 3rd November 2026, 6.00pm - 7:00pm
 as listed above

Register to attend


 Adelaide College of the Arts, Room 2.03 Design Hub
 Wednesday 28th October 2026, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
 Adelaide College of the Arts

Register to attend



Please Read Before Applying

Entry Recommendations

  • TAFE SA Graphic Design bridging course is free
  • Details about the graphic design bridging course and the portfolio will be emailed to you once you apply.

Attendance Requirements (subject to change)
On campus course is generally 3 days on-campus and one day online.

Industry Conditions and Skills
You will need:

  • intermediate computer skills
  • good communication, collaboration and teamwork skills
  • to be interested in working with people.

Additional Uniforms, Equipment and Costs

  • $200 for arts materials and tools
  • $75 for Noble Desktop: Intro to InDesign, Photoshop & Illustrator eBook
  • If studying online you will need to have a graphics capable computer and broadband internet access.


Fees

Tuition Fees
Cost

ConcessionFee ConcessionsReduced fees for eligible concession card holders.

$6,254

SubsidisedSubsidisedThe SA Government pays part of the course cost for eligible students.

$7,844

Full FeeFull FeeFull course cost if subsidies or concessions do not apply.

$17,172

Fees are paid per semester and vary depending on the units you enrol into. TAFE SA and its agents reserve the right to make any necessary changes.


  • Help with Fees

    Upfront Payment

    Each semester, fees can be paid online with VISA or Mastercard or at an Australia Post outlet.

    Read More

    VET Student Loan

    This is an interest-free personal loan from the Australian Government that provides eligible students access to capped funding to help pay for their studies.

    Read More

  • Employment Outcomes & Skills Covered

    Employment Outcomes

    Graduates may pursue entry-level opportunities across a range of creative industries, including roles such as Graphic Designer, Digital Designer, Content Creator, Marketing Designer, Brand Designer, Junior UX/UI Designer, Motion Graphics Designer and Freelance Designer.
    Note: Completion of a TAFE SA course does not guarantee an employment outcome. Formal requirements other than educational qualifications (for example licensing or professional registration) may apply to some occupations.

    Note: Completion of a TAFE SA course does not guarantee an employment outcome. Formal requirements other than educational qualifications (eg licensing, professional registration), may apply to some occupations.

    Qualifications & Skills Covered

    Diploma of Graphic Design (CUA50725)
    Develop the creative, technical and strategic skills needed to create effective design solutions across print, digital and interactive media. Through practical projects and industry-style briefs, you'll learn how to research, develop and communicate ideas, respond to client requirements and produce professional creative outcomes. Throughout the course you'll build capabilities in branding and visual identity design; Typography and visual communication; Digital and interactive design; UX/UI design principles; Illustration and visual storytelling; Motion graphics and content creation; Professional design workflows; Creative problem-solving and design thinking; Portfolio development and presentation; Industry-standard software and emerging creative technologies. By graduation, you'll have a professional portfolio that demonstrates your creative, technical and conceptual skills and prepares you for employment or further study in graphic design and related creative fields. To complete the qualification you are required to complete all 9 core units and 10 elective units.

    Note: Students who successfully complete only one or more units of competency but not the full qualification are eligible to receive a Statement of Attainment.

    90%*
    of TAFE SA graduates are satisfied with the overall quality of training.
    87%*
    of TAFE SA graduates would recommend their training.



    * 2023 NCVER Student Outcomes Survey findings

  • Course Units

    Below is a list of all units that TAFE SA can offer in this qualification. The selection of elective units you will be enrolled into depends on the campus you attend, and the qualification packaging rules described on www.training.gov.au.

    Not all elective units listed below must necessarily be completed to achieve your qualification.

    Core

    Name Nominal Hours
    Create and manipulate graphics 60
    Design and manipulate complex layouts 65
    Develop and extend design skills and practice 30
    Develop graphic design practice to meet industry needs 60
    Present a body of own creative work 60
    Produce graphic designs for 2-D and 3-D applications 60
    Produce typographic design solutions 60
    Refine drawing and other visual representation tools 80
    Research visual communication history and theory 55

    Elective

    Name Nominal Hours
    Create visual design components 30
    Design interactions 60
    Develop and refine illustrative work 50
    Develop graphic designs for branding and identity 65
    Implement design solutions 70
    Investigate technologies for the creation of digital art 80
    Make presentations 30
    Originate and develop concepts 30
    Produce innovative video art 50
    Work with photomedia in creative practice 65

Further Information

Brochure

Course guide

Brochure

Pre-enrolment Brochure

Contact us

Course enquiries and more information

Diploma of Graphic Design
TP01556
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