Diploma of Screen and Media

The Diploma of Screen and Media is a hands-on qualification for people who want to work in film, television, online content and games. It's delivered by The Academy of Interactive Entertainment Ltd (AIE), a specialist provider with campuses in Australia. The course runs 46 weeks and is registered on CRICOS (course code 106064C) for international students. You'll spend your time making things: planning shoots, operating cameras, recording sound, editing footage, and learning how screen content gets made from first idea to final cut. The exact units are set by the provider, so check the official page for the current structure.

How the qualification works

This is a diploma, which sits at Level 5 on the Australian Qualifications Framework. Diplomas are usually one to two years of full-time study, made up of units of study, each with a credit point value. You need to pass the required units to graduate. AIE delivers its programmes in a studio-style environment, often with intakes across the year rather than a single semester start. Assessment is practical: you'll build a portfolio of work, not just sit exams. The 46-week duration reflects the full course length for a student studying full time.

What you'll actually do

Expect to work on real productions. That means writing scripts, storyboarding, setting up lights, capturing vision and sound, and cutting it all together in edit suites. You'll learn industry software and hardware, and how a crew works together on set. Collaboration is a big part of it, screen production is a team sport. You'll also get a grounding in the business side: how projects are pitched, budgeted and delivered. AIE's focus on games and screen means you may also touch on interactive media and visual effects, depending on the units you choose.

Who it suits

This diploma suits school leavers who want a practical start in screen and media, career changers who want to build a showreel, and people already working in adjacent areas who need formal skills. It's also a pathway to further study, you may get credit towards a bachelor degree at AIE or another institution, though that's decided case by case. If you're an international student, you can work up to 48 hours per fortnight while your course is in session. 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. English requirements for entry are typically IELTS Academic 6.0–6.5 overall, or an equivalent test like TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic or Cambridge C1 Advanced. The Department of Home Affairs sets its own English threshold for the Student visa. Tuition is published on the CRICOS register. Confirm all details on the official course page before you apply.

• Camera assistant or operator
• Sound recordist
• Editor (offline or online)
• Production assistant
• Content creator for online platforms
• Junior roles in games cinematics or visual effects
• Freelance videographer

These roles turn up in film and TV production companies, streaming services, advertising agencies, games studios, and the growing online content sector. Many graduates start as freelancers or on short-term contracts, building a portfolio as they go.