Diploma of Graphic Design

The Diploma of Graphic Design at the Australian College of Business Intelligence is a practical, one-and-a-half-year qualification for people who want to make things: posters, brand identities, packaging, digital layouts, typography. You learn the tools of the trade, Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop and InDesign are the usual suspects, alongside the thinking that sits behind good design: how to research an audience, develop concepts, present work to a client and take feedback without taking it personally.

As a diploma, this sits at Level 5 on the Australian Qualifications Framework. That's below a bachelor degree (Level 7) but above a certificate IV, and it's a common pathway for students who want job-ready skills without committing to three years of study. Delivery is typically over three or four study periods across 18 months, with each unit carrying a set number of credit points. Assessment is mostly project-based, you build a portfolio rather than sit exams. Many diplomas in this field include a work placement or industry project unit, so you graduate with something real to show an employer.

What you actually gain: a folio of finished work, fluency in design software, an understanding of print and digital production, and the vocabulary to talk about design decisions. You'll also pick up the basics of client management and copyright, the unglamorous stuff that keeps designers employed.

This course suits school leavers who know they're creative but aren't sure about a full degree, career changers who've been making things on the side, and international students who want an Australian qualification in a field where the portfolio matters more than the piece of paper. You'll need to meet the English requirement, IELTS Academic 6.0–6.5 overall is the standard for courses at this level, with TOEFL, PTE and Cambridge C1 accepted as equivalents. Note that the Department of Home Affairs sets its own English threshold for the Student visa, separate from the college's admission requirement. International students on a Student visa can work up to 48 hours per fortnight while studying, and may be eligible for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream after graduating. Tuition is published on the CRICOS register under course code 118932J. Check the official page for current unit lists, intake dates and entry requirements.

• Graphic designer, in-house at publishers, agencies, or marketing teams across retail, government and not-for-profit organisations.
• Junior designer or studio assistant, supporting senior designers on brand, campaign and publication work.
• Digital content producer, social media graphics, email templates, web banners and basic motion assets.
• Pre-press or production coordinator, preparing artwork for print, liaising with printers and managing file specifications.
• Freelance designer, building a client base across small business, events and community organisations.
• Marketing and communications assistant, where design skills are part of a broader role.

Australian industries that hire diploma-level graphic designers include advertising and design studios, print and publishing, screen and digital media, retail, tourism, education, and the public sector. The qualification also provides a pathway into a bachelor degree with credit for prior study, if you decide to go further.