Overview

Whether it’s YouTube content creation, smartphone filmmaking or animation, the Certificate IV in Screen Media will help you discover your talent. You’ll learn successful approaches to smartphone filmmaking and content creation for social media and how being resourceful can help you create content on a shoestring budget. Learn the art of writing and pitching, storyboarding, as well as audio, video, and animation production. Classes are delivered fully synchronously online from the comfort of your home.     

This course is also delivered in a blended on-campus/online mode, full-time over a 12-month period: Certificate IV in Screen and Media.

This is a nationally approved vocational course that is recognised throughout Australia.

  • Nationally recognised training
    Nationally recognised training
Interested in this course?

Find out more about this course and other TAFE courses at one of our on-campus Try TAFE events. Get all the information you need to kickstart your career.

Skills you’ll learn

  • Screen writing and pitching
  • Drawing and storyboarding
  • Smartphone sound recording and sound design
  • Cinematography and smartphone video production
  • Visual effects and 2D animation
  • Editing and post-production process

Your career opportunities

  • Social media content creator
  • Smartphone filmmaker and cinematographer
  • Sound recordist and sound designer
  • 2D animation and special effects developer
  • Vision editor
  • Production assistant

Location options

  • Online

Why Swinburne?

The course is taught by award winning screen writers, cinematographers, directors, sound designers, editors, as well as animators. 

  • Image of a young man in a black hoodie, black cap, holding a phone, smiling. Image is on a slight tilt.

    "The Certificate IV in Screen and Media showed me the level of skill it takes to make high quality content. During pre-production I was taught how to use my own ideas and turn them into scripts and by the end of the year I turned those scripts into films. I thoroughly enjoyed my time studying this course and would highly recommend it to anyone interested in learning about all aspects of filmmaking.”

    Lukas Yannoutsos , Certificate IV in Screen and Media Online

Admissions

Entry into this program is based on an applicant’s study and/or relevant work history, with a minimum Year 11 completion (or equivalent). Some additional criteria may also apply.

Applicants without formal qualifications but with significant relevant work experience are welcome to apply.

Successful completion of Australian Year 12, or equivalent overseas qualification.

Other requirements

Technical Requirements:

To engage fully in your online studies, you are required to purchase or access the following equipment and technologies.

  • A Mobile Phone with at least Full HD 1920x1080p video recording capabilities, 4K preferred.
  • Headphone with microphone
  • Webcam or inbuilt Camera to access “Collaborate Ultra” within our online CANVAS leaning management system
  • Internet access
  • External Hard Drive (1TB minimum) for back up of your project work
  • All software such as Adobe Creative Cloud will be provided to all Swinburne Students
     

Computer recommendations: Laptop or Desktop (Win or Mac)  
 

Component  

 Minimum Performance  

 

GPU  

4GB VRAM or more  

 

CPU  

4 Cores or more  

 

RAM  

16GB or more  

 
Admission requirements

Meeting the minimum entry requirements for the course does not guarantee an offer of a place. See admission requirements for general information about the admission process.

English language requirements

Satisfactory completion of one of the following:

Need to undertake an English assessment for entry?

A prerequisite for many courses, the Pearson Test of English (PTE Academic) can now be done at our Hawthorn campus.

Credit transfer

Credit transfer is the recognition of academic credits gained through formal study (i.e. units of competency) completed either at another institute or in another qualification. The total amount of credit will vary from individual to individual, based on the unit/s that have been successfully completed. 

Recognition of prior learning

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is the process of transferring the skills and knowledge that you have acquired over your lifetime (irrespective of how they were obtained) against the requirements of the unit.  

RPL is an assessment process that requires you to provide evidence that demonstrates how you meet the requirements of the unit/s. The amount and types of evidence you will need to provide will depend on the unit requirements.

Finding your fit

At Swinburne, we recognise that not one size fits all. If this course doesn’t meet all your study criteria, check out these alternatives.

Course structure

This course will be suited to students who wish to develop their skills and knowledge in smartphone filmmaking and content creation for social media. Delivered fully online, the Certificate IV in Screen and Media consists of 13 units (4 core and 9 elective units) delivered part-time over 18 months (three semesters). Each semester is delivered over a period of 2 full days a week with both day and evening classes designed to provide flexible learning.

The Certificate IV in Screen and Media Online is specifically designed for a learner cohort with no or limited media experience. It aims to provide students with broad fundamental skills and knowledge of the screen and media industry, preparing students for entry level industry positions or higher-level qualifications.

4
Core units
+
9
Elective units
=
Certificate IV
Course hours are estimated and may change based on study mode, unit choice, credits, or enrolment adjustments, total indicative nominal hours: 735

Your units

Units of study Unit code
Elective units
Produce drawings to communicate ideas
Elective unit, 90.0 credit points
CUAACD311
Create 2D digital animations
Elective unit, 35.0 credit points
CUAANM301
Produce innovative video art
Elective unit, 50.0 credit points
CUADIG416
Write extended stories
Elective unit, 40.0 credit points
CUAWRT402
Units of study Unit code
Core units
Develop personal work priorities
Core unit, 40.0 credit points
BSBPEF402
Work effectively in the creative arts industry
Core unit, 50.0 credit points
CUAIND311
Apply work health and safety practices
Core unit, 30.0 credit points
CUAWHS312
Elective units
Create digital visual effects
Elective unit, 80.0 credit points
CUAANM412
Record sounds
Elective unit
CUASOU405
Units of study Unit code
Core units
Develop and implement own self-care plan in the creative industries
Core unit, 50.0 credit points
CUAMWB401
Elective units
Shoot material for screen productions
Elective unit, 80.0 credit points
CUACAM311
Generate design solutions
Elective unit, 70.0 credit points
CUADES411
Perform basic vision and sound editing
Elective unit, 60.0 credit points
CUAPOS211

2024 fees

Full fee* ($AUD)

$10,910

Skills first government-subsidised place* ($AUD)

$5,150

Concession rate* ($AUD)

$1,030

2024 fees

Fees are estimates only

Fees published on this page are estimates only and are subject to change depending on individual circumstances at the time of enrolment. The above fees apply for units studied in 2024 only and may change for units studied in future years. There may be additional costs related to learning material and equipment.

Fees are estimates only

The indicative course fees shown apply to international students for the relevant year only. They are based on a standard study load per year. However, please note that fees are assessed according to a student's study load in each semester, and variation to study load will result in an adjustment to tuition fees. International tuition fees are generally inclusive of Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF). All fees are subject to annual review and may be adjusted.

Skills first government-subsidised place

This training is delivered with Victorian and Commonwealth Government funding. To qualify for a government-subsidised place, you must meet various eligibility criteria. The course you’ve applied for must also be offering government-subsidised places. Swinburne will determine your eligibility by conducting a full assessment of your eligibility during the course application process.

How do I pay my fees?

You can pay your Swinburne fees in person, via credit card, BPAY, or at Australia Post. Check to see if loans and employer sponsored training are also available.

International students need to pay tuition fees up-front by the relevant due date. You can find the due dates on your Statement of Account.

To pay your fees:

  • log in to My Financials
  • check your Australian bank account details are correct 
  • check your Statement of Account to see how much you owe 
  • pay using your preferred payment method.

Concessions rates for vocational students

If you’re enrolling in a Certificate IV-level program or below, are eligible for a government-subsidised training place and hold a valid concession card, you may be eligible for a concession of 80 per cent off the published fee of your unit(s) tuition – which means you’ll only be charged 20 per cent of the published fee.

Scholarships

Scholarship applications for 2024 are open. Scholarships at Swinburne are about providing opportunity, promoting equity and recognising excellence and achievement. We want you to reach your potential and achieve your life and career goals. 

Our handy guide will assist you to gather documents for your application.

When you apply for a Swinburne course, we automatically consider you for an international scholarship of up to 30 per cent off your course fees – no separate application required! Just apply for your Swinburne course of choice and when we review your course application, we will also assess you for an international scholarship.

Apply through an agent

Most international students use an education agent to help them through the application process. Swinburne has agents all over the world that can help you with your application to study. Search for a Swinburne representative in your country. If your country is not listed, please contact us.

Representatives and agents
CUA41220
Search for agents

Apply directly

Ready to take on a new challenge and reach your academic goals? If you already know which course you want to study and understand the entry requirements, what are you waiting for? Apply online! Remember, you cannot apply direct if you have an active VTAC application.

Start dates
Location
Last date to apply
Start dates
August intake
Location
Online
Last date to apply
24-July-2024
Start dates
29-July-2024
Start dates
Location
Start dates
August intake
Location
Online
Start dates
29-July-2024
Upcoming events
Midyear Study Expo
04-June-2024
Swinburne Innovation Challenge
26-June-2024
Open Day 2024
28-July-2024