Advanced Diploma of Animation

The Advanced Diploma of Animation at Torrens University Australia is a practical, hands-on qualification for people who want to work in animation. It runs for 1.5 years and sits at the diploma level on the Australian Qualifications Framework. That means it's shorter and more skills-focused than a bachelor degree, but it still gives you a recognised Australian qualification. You'll study the core craft areas: 2D and 3D animation, character design, storyboarding, visual effects, and post-production. You'll also learn the software that studios actually use. The course is delivered through units of study, each with a set number of credit points. You'll typically study full-time over three semesters or trimesters, depending on the intake. The exact unit list and structure are on the official Torrens University page. Because it's an advanced diploma, you can often use it as a pathway into a bachelor degree with credit for the units you've completed. Check the university's pathways page for details.

Assessment is mostly project-based. You'll build a showreel of your own work, which is what employers in animation actually look at. Some units include work-integrated learning, where you might work on a live brief or collaborate with students from other disciplines. The course is taught in Australia, so you'll be part of the local animation scene. Sydney and Melbourne have active studios working in film, TV, games, and advertising. The qualification is not tied to a specific accreditation body, but the skills you learn are the ones studios ask for.

You'll graduate with a portfolio that shows what you can do, not just what you know. You'll be able to animate, design characters, build environments, and work to a brief. You'll also understand the production pipeline and how to take feedback. The course suits school leavers who want a fast route into the industry, career changers who want to move into animation, and people already working in design or media who want to add animation skills. If you're an international student, you can work up to 48 hours per fortnight while you study. 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 check the current rules with the Department of Home Affairs.

Entry requirements include English proficiency. International applicants usually need IELTS Academic 6.0–6.5 overall, or an equivalent like TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, or Cambridge C1 Advanced. Torrens also accepts its own English programmes. The Student visa has its own English threshold set by the Department of Home Affairs. Tuition fees are published on the CRICOS register. The CRICOS course code is 121150B. For the most up-to-date information on units, fees, intakes, and entry requirements, check the official Torrens University page and the CRICOS register.

• 2D Animator
• 3D Animator
• Character Designer
• Storyboard Artist
• Visual Effects Artist
• Motion Graphics Designer
• Post-Production Assistant
• Game Artist

These roles are found in animation and visual effects studios, game development companies, film and television production houses, advertising agencies, and design consultancies across Australia.