Course Overview

About This Course

Unlock your creative talents with this visual arts diploma qualification. This course is perfect for individuals seeking self employment or work within the wider creative industries community. Take your creative skills to the next level with this diploma qualification. This course will enhance and develop further learning within the broader creative arts field. The creative arts industry plays an important role in Australia's economy. According to the Australian Government's MySkills service, it contributes over $10 billion to the economy and employs nearly 100,000 people. The emergence of new technologies and wide range of job prospects available mean this is an exciting industry to be a part of. This course enables you to specialise in core areas of visual culture and professional practice with electives in painting, printmaking, drawing, sculpture and ceramics, combining specialised technical, creative and conceptual skills within the creative arts sector. TAFE Queensland's leading industry experts and specialist educators can provide you with the skills you need to flourish within the competitive creative arts sector. Successful completion of the Diploma of Visual Arts will give you the skills and attributes to seek self employment or other creative occupations within a wide range of arts, government, community or commercial organisations.

Where You Can Study

Available Locations

Brisbane

66 Ernest St, South Brisbane, QLD 4101

Open in Maps ↗

Student Information

Fees & Entry by Student Type

Tuition Fee

Concession $10,305 · Subsidised $11,850 · Full fee $19,020

Eligibility

Entry Requirements

General Requirements

Domestic Students:

Technical and organisational skills to conceptualise and create works in a selected medium, gained through creative practice or formal study
A compulsory portfolio of 8-10 pieces demonstrating creative work across a range of mediums (e.g. paintings, drawings, prints, sculpture, ceramics, digital work), submitted electronically as JPEG or PDF files in a zip file
Students who completed CUA31115/CUA31120 Certificate III in Visual Arts, or Year 11/12 Art, may use existing work as their portfolio
You will be invited to complete a Skills Check after applying; recommended benchmark levels are 4 in English, 4 in Maths and 4 in Digital Technology
For VET Student Loan eligibility, Level 4 English and Maths is required
Special enrolment conditions apply if you are under 17 years of age

International Students:

Academic IELTS 6.0 overall (no individual band less than 5.5) or equivalent
Completion of Year 12 (or equivalent); non-school-leavers must have relevant work experience or a qualification indicating likely course success
Minimum 17 years of age, turning 18 during the first year of study
Students under 18 applying for a student visa must have adequate welfare arrangements in place per the Department of Home Affairs

Resources required (all students):

Access to a reliable internet connection and a computer with up-to-date software
Design resources and a portable external hard drive (500MB minimum), at an approximate additional cost of $300

Career & Study Pathways

Where this takes you

Career Opportunities

Woodwork Designer
Printmaker
Commercial Textile Designer
Ceramic Artist
Visual Artist
Illustrator
Photographer
Painter
Sculptor
Digital Artist
Glasswork Artist

Quality & Recognition

Accreditation & Migration

Academic Regulator

ASQA

Accreditation Status

Accredited

Course Content

Units of Competency

All Units17 units

CUAPPR511

Realise a body of creative work

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to integrate conceptual, technical and organisational skills to create a coherent body of work in any creative form.

CUAPPR515

Establish and maintain safe creative practice

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to determine and respond effectively to broad and specific safety requirements in a professional practice.

CUAACD531

Refine drawing and other visual representation tools

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to use drawing and other visual representation tools to develop, refine and communicate ideas for creative work.

CUAPPR512

Develop sustainability of own professional practice

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to establish goals for own professional practice and determine how your practice can be developed in a sustainable way. All aspects of sustainability, such as individual, social, environmental and economic, should be considered.

CUAPPR513

Present a body of own creative work

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to use creative, technical and project management skills to produce a professional and innovative presentation of own creative work.

CUACER511

Refine ceramics techniques

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to research and experiment with different ceramic techniques to refine and evaluate an individual professional style.

CUACER512

Investigate ceramic materials and processes

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to research and explore different ceramic materials and processes to develop an individual professional style.

CUADRA501

Refine drawing techniques

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to research and experiment with a broad range of drawing techniques to refine and evaluate an individual professional style. This unit relates to drawing as an art form and differs from units that focus on drawing as a visual representation tool.

CUAEVP413

Install and dismantle exhibition elements

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to install and dismantle the physical elements of permanent and temporary exhibitions.

CUAPAI511

Refine painting techniques

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to research and experiment with a broad range of painting techniques to refine and evaluate an individual professional style

CUAPAI512

Investigate painting materials and processes

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to research and explore a range of painting materials and processes to develop an individual professional style.

CUAPRI511

Refine printmaking techniques

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to research, select and experiment with a broad range of printmaking techniques to refine and apply to individual print work.

CUAPRI512

Investigate printmaking materials and processes

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to research and explore a range of printmaking materials and processes to integrate into own print works.

CUARES502

Critique cultural works

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to research and analyse a range of information to produce critiques of cultural works.

CUARES503

Analyse cultural history and theory

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to research, analyse and debate cultural history and theory, and to use those processes to develop individual approaches to creative work.

CUASCU511

Refine sculptural techniques

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to research, select and experiment with a broad range of sculptural techniques to refine and apply to individual sculptural work.

CUASCU512

Investigate sculptural materials and processes

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to research and explore a range of sculptural materials and processes to integrate into own sculptural work.

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

What campuses offer the Diploma of Visual Arts?

The Diploma of Visual Arts is offered at South Bank (Greater Brisbane), Nambour (Sunshine Coast), Cairns, and Townsville - Pimlico (North Queensland), with all campuses delivering the course fully on campus.

How much does the Diploma of Visual Arts cost?

The course fees vary depending on your eligibility: the concession fee is $10,305, the subsidised fee is $11,850, the full fee is $19,020, and the international student fee is $22,800. Student loans and payment plans may be available.

Can I study the Diploma of Visual Arts part time?

Yes, part time options are available at South Bank (2 days per week over 2 years), Cairns (up to 3 days per week over 2 years), and Townsville - Pimlico (up to 3 days per week over 2 years).

Are there pathways to university after completing this diploma?

Yes, students in the Greater Brisbane area can take advantage of a partnership with the University of Canberra. Successful completion of the diploma will automatically qualify you for a provisional place in the Bachelor of Creative Industries (Visual Arts) with up to one year of credit.

What facilities will I have access to while studying the Diploma of Visual Arts?

TAFE Queensland's campuses are equipped with specialised facilities including large, open-plan studios, ceramics workshops, kilns, and galleries to present your work, giving you everything you need to launch your artistic career.

Application

How to Apply

Three simple steps to get enrolled

Step 01

Enquire

Click "Enquire Now" and tell us a little about yourself. It's free and takes 2 minutes.

Step 02

Submit Documents

Our team will guide you on exactly which documents to prepare and submit.

Step 03

Get Enrolled

Receive your offer letter and confirm your enrolment. Welcome to the course!

Processing time: Offer letter issued within approximately 1 business days.

Course Snapshot

Salary, careers & skills

Typical Salary

Entry-level (0-2 years)AUD $45,000 to $60,000 per year

Early Career (2-5 years)AUD $60,000 to $75,000 per year

Mid-Level (5-10 years)AUD $75,000 to $100,000 per year

Career Paths

Visual Artist / Fine Artist (Self-Employed or Commissioned)PrintmakerPainterIllustratorDigital Artist / Digital Illustrator

Key Skills

Studio-based painting techniques (oil, acrylic, watercolour)Printmaking methods including etching, screen printing, and relief printingDrawing from observation and imagination across a range of mediaSculpture and three-dimensional form-makingDigital imaging, photography, and digital art creation

Full Course Overview

💬

Need guidance?

Free advisor support

Our advisors help international students choose the right course and navigate visa pathways — at no cost.

Promote your Institution with Find the Courses