Diploma of Audio Production

The Diploma of Audio Production at Collarts is a one-year qualification for people who want to work with sound in film and television, and in the studios and venues that feed those industries. You learn by doing. Expect to spend time in recording studios and post-production rooms, working with microphones, mixing desks, digital audio workstations and the software that turns raw takes into finished sound. The course covers the basics of audio engineering, sound design for screen, dialogue editing, foley, music recording and the technical side of live sound. Assessment is mostly practical: you record, edit, mix and present work, and you get feedback from people who have worked in the industry.

Australian qualifications sit on the Australian Qualifications Framework. A diploma is a short, job-focused qualification, usually one year of full-time study, and it sits below a bachelor degree. At Collarts the year is split into study periods, with units of study each carrying credit points. You complete a set number of units to finish the diploma. Some units are core and some let you choose a direction, such as screen sound or studio production. The diploma is a standalone qualification, and if you later go on to a bachelor degree, you may be able to apply for credit for some of the units you have passed. That depends on the receiving institution and the grades you achieve, so check with them directly.

Work-integrated learning is part of how this field trains people. You may find yourself recording a student film, mixing a live gig, or assisting on a project with a community or industry partner. Collarts is in Melbourne, a city with a dense screen, music and broadcast sector, and the course draws on that. The skills you build are the ones employers ask for: setting up and running a session, troubleshooting signal flow, editing dialogue, building a soundscape, and delivering files that meet a brief. You also learn to work in a team, take direction, and manage your own time on a deadline.

This diploma suits school leavers who want a practical start without committing to a three-year degree, career changers who want to move into audio, and people already working in music or media who need formal training in sound for screen. International applicants need to meet English requirements and the Student visa conditions, including the Department of Home Affairs English threshold and the work limitation of 48 hours per fortnight while your course is in session. After you finish, the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream may be available if you meet the requirements. Tuition is published on the CRICOS register under course code 104401G. Confirm current fees, entry requirements and unit details on the official Collarts page or the CRICOS listing before you apply.

• Audio engineer, recording studios, post-production houses and broadcast facilities.
• Sound designer, film, television, online content and game studios.
• Location sound recordist, film and TV productions, documentary crews and outside broadcast.
• Dialogue editor or foley artist, post-production companies working on screen content.
• Live sound technician, venues, festivals, theatres and touring productions.
• Studio assistant or runner, commercial studios and production companies.
• Podcast and digital audio producer, media organisations, publishers and independent production.
• Music producer or beatmaker, independent music, advertising and content creation.

Australian industries that hire these roles include film and television production, screen post-production, live music and events, radio and podcasting, advertising, and game development. Many roles are project-based, so graduates often build a portfolio of credits and combine freelance work with part-time studio or venue jobs.