Diploma of Public Relations

The Diploma of Public Relations at Collarts is a 40-week course that gets you ready for work in PR and communications. You'll learn how to write media releases, plan campaigns, manage social media, and handle relationships with journalists and clients. The course is practical, so you spend time on real briefs and build a portfolio you can show employers.

This diploma is a vocational qualification, so it's structured around units of study rather than semesters. Each unit has a set number of credit points, and you need to complete all required units to graduate. There's no major research thesis at this level, but you will do a capstone-style project where you pull together everything you've learned. Work-integrated learning is part of the deal: you'll go on placement with a PR agency, in-house communications team, or media organisation, usually in Melbourne or another Australian city. That placement gives you industry contacts and real experience on your CV.

You'll pick up skills in writing for different audiences, campaign planning, media liaison, crisis communication, and digital analytics. You'll also learn how to pitch stories, organise events, and measure whether a campaign actually worked. The teaching is hands-on, with small classes and industry professionals as teachers. Assessment is mostly practical tasks, not exams.

This course suits you if you want to start a career in PR without committing to a three-year bachelor degree, or if you're already working in media or marketing and want formal qualifications. It's also a pathway to further study: you can often get credit towards a bachelor degree later. International students should check the English requirements: IELTS Academic 6.0–6.5 overall is the common standard for courses at this level. You'll also need to meet the Department of Home Affairs' English threshold for a Student visa. While studying, you can work up to 48 hours per fortnight. After you finish, you may be eligible for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream, which lets you stay and work in Australia. Always confirm the latest details on the official CRICOS page and with Collarts.

• Public relations officer – working in agencies, government departments, or corporate communications teams.
• Media liaison officer – building relationships with journalists and managing media enquiries.
• Social media coordinator – planning and scheduling content, engaging with audiences, and tracking performance.
• Communications assistant – supporting internal and external communications in businesses or non-profits.
• Events coordinator – organising launches, press conferences, and promotional events.
• Copywriter – writing press releases, newsletters, web content, and campaign materials.

These roles are common in PR agencies, media organisations, government, healthcare, education, and large companies across Australia. The diploma also gives you a pathway to further study, such as a bachelor degree in public relations or communications.