The Graduate Diploma of Communication Design is a postgraduate qualification at Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) Level 8, typically completed in one year of full-time study. It is designed for graduates who wish to develop advanced professional skills in visual communication, graphic design, branding, typography, digital media, and design strategy. The course explores design's role as an agent of change and as a key link between creativity and innovation, addressing the social, cultural and ethical implications of design practice alongside in-depth studies of new technology with an emphasis on typography, form and application. Historical and contemporary graphic design processes are explored within both local and international contexts, preparing students to produce industry-relevant solutions to complex communication problems.

This qualification suits a broad range of students: those who hold a bachelor degree in an unrelated field and wish to transition into the design industry, working designers seeking to formalise or upgrade their credentials, and recent design graduates wanting to deepen their theoretical and practical knowledge before entering the workforce at a higher level. Students gain specialist and interdisciplinary skills across design practice, business management, research methods, and professional communication, equipping them to work in creative studios, advertising agencies, corporate in-house teams, technology companies, and government organisations.

Typical employers of graduates include advertising agencies, design consultancies, digital and media agencies, publishing houses, corporate marketing departments, not-for-profit organisations, government communications teams, and educational institutions. Graduates are also well positioned to establish their own independent design practice or creative consultancy, leveraging both their creative expertise and their understanding of business and strategy.

Most Australian providers require applicants to hold a completed bachelor degree (AQF Level 7) or bachelor honours degree (AQF Level 8) from a recognised higher education institution. Some institutions accept applicants from any discipline, welcoming career changers from fields such as marketing, business, education or the humanities, while others may prefer or require a background in a design-related field such as graphic design, visual communication, fine arts, or media. Some providers also consider applicants who hold a relevant graduate certificate (AQF Level 8) or who can demonstrate significant relevant professional experience — typically a minimum of three years in a design or communications role — in lieu of or in addition to formal qualifications. A portfolio of creative work may be required by some institutions, particularly those with a strong studio practice focus, to demonstrate creative aptitude and design potential.

For applicants entering from a same-discipline background (i.e. a bachelor degree with a major in graphic design or visual communication), a shorter course duration may be available at some providers. Academic entry typically requires a minimum grade point average, often equivalent to a credit average. International students and non-native English speakers are generally required to demonstrate English language proficiency, most commonly through an IELTS overall score of 6.5 with no individual band below 6.0, or an equivalent result in PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT, or other accepted tests. Some institutions may also require a personal statement outlining the applicant's design background, career goals, and motivation for undertaking postgraduate study in communication design.