Overview

Kick-start a rewarding career with a Certificate IV in Accounting and Bookkeeping. Gain skills, knowledge and confidence in accounts receivable, accounts payable, financial reporting, budgeting, payroll, spreadsheets, Xero and MYOB. Employment opportunities exist across a variety of industries. This course meets the educational requirements for registration as a BAS agent by the Tax Practitioners Board.

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

  • Nationally recognised training
    Nationally recognised training
  • TAFE Victoria
    TAFE Victoria
Put Swinburne to the test

Looking for your #1 VTAC preference? Join us online for the VTAC Applications and Scholarship Webinar on 29 August, or attend our on-campus Aviation Info Session on 31 August.

Skills you’ll learn

  • Accounting
  • Bookkeeping
  • Reporting
  • Budgeting
  • Payroll duties
  • Completing BAS

Your career opportunities

  • Accounts payable officer
  • Bookkeeper
  • Accounts receivable officer
  • Administration officer
  • Payroll officer
  • Self employment

Location options

  • Online

Professional accreditation 

Students will be eligible for a free student membership with the Institute of Certified Bookkeepers (ICB) as Swinburne is recognised as an Accredited Training Provider. Student membership is available for the Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) upon application.

Admissions

Applicants require a minimum of completion of Year 12 or equivalent. 

Non-school leavers without formal qualifications are welcome to apply. 

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.

Other requirements

Technical requirements

To use Collaborate Ultra within the CANVAS learning management platform, students will need headphones and a computer with a microphone and camera that is connected to the internet.

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 is granted in recognition of previous study and allows students to gain advanced standing towards their course. Applicants are assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Recognition of prior learning

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) allows students to gain credit (advanced standing) towards their course in recognition of skills and knowledge gained through work experience, life experience and/or formal training. Applicants are assessed on a case-by-case basis.

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

To obtain this qualification, students must complete 13 units, including 10 core and 3 elective units. This part-time course will be delivered in 12 to 18 months. 

10
Core units
+
3
Elective units
=
Certificate IV
Indicative nominal course hours: 620

Your units

Units of study Unit code
Core units
Design and produce spreadsheets
Core unit
BSBTEC302
Process financial transactions and extract interim reports
Core unit
FNSACC321
Administer subsidiary accounts and ledgers
Core unit
FNSACC322
Prepare operational budgets
Core unit
FNSACC412
Prepare financial statements for non-reporting entities
Core unit
FNSACC414
Work effectively in the accounting and bookkeeping industry
Core unit
FNSACC418
Prepare financial reports
Core unit
FNSACC421
Set up and operate computerised accounting systems
Core unit
FNSACC426
Complete business activity and instalment activity statements
Core unit
FNSTPB411
Establish and maintain payroll systems
Core unit
FNSTPB412
Elective units
Perform financial calculations
Elective unit
FNSACC323
Establish legal and risk management requirements of new business ventures
Elective unit
BSBESB402
Write simple documents
Elective unit
BSBWRT311

2023 fees

Full fee* ($AUD)

$8,250

Skills first government-subsidised place* ($AUD)

$4,180

Concession rate* ($AUD)

$836

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 2023 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. All fees are subject to annual review and may be adjusted.

Skills first government-subsidised place

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.

  • Portrait   Female Nurse  Scrubs  Hospital Work  Smiling  Happy  Clipboard

    Study this course for free in 2023

    You could have your tuition fees covered in 2023 thanks to the Victorian Government's Free TAFE for Priority Courses initiative. 

    Free TAFE for Priority Courses is available to any Australian citizen, permanent resident or New Zealand citizen.

    There are other factors, too. The best way to find out if you’re eligible is to apply!

Scholarships

Scholarship applications for 2023 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
FNS40222
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
October intake
Location
Online
Last date to apply
27-September-2023
Start dates
02-October-2023
February intake
Location
Online
Last date to apply
24-January-2024
Start dates
19-February-2024
April intake
Location
Online
Last date to apply
27-March-2024
Start dates
29-April-2024
July intake
Location
Online
Last date to apply
26-June-2024
Start dates
01-July-2024
July intake
Location
Online
Last date to apply
24-July-2024
Start dates
29-July-2024
Start dates
Location
Start dates
October intake
Location
Online
Start dates
02-October-2023
February intake
Location
Online
Start dates
19-February-2024
April intake
Location
Online
Start dates
29-April-2024
July intake
Location
Online
Start dates
01-July-2024
July intake
Location
Online
Start dates
29-July-2024
Upcoming events
Swinburne Innovation Challenge
29-November-2023