Overview

Create content for YouTube, film, TV, and animation by studying the Certificate IV in Screen and Media. Learn the art of writing and pitching, storyboarding, as well as audio and video production. Hone your collaborative skills and develop industry knowledge to become recognised within the sector.

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

  • Nationally recognised training
    Nationally recognised training
Meet us at Open Day

People to meet. Places to explore. New ideas to discover. Start planning your Open Day now and learn what’s possible at Swinburne. 10am – 4pm Sunday 30 July, Hawthorn campus.

Register to attend

Skills you’ll learn

  • Concept development
  • Pre-production
  • Production
  • Screen writing

Your career opportunities

  • Technical assistant
  • Production assistant
  • Lighting assistant
  • Assistant director
  • Camera operator
  • Special effects developer

Key codes

Hawthorn VTAC code
3400210294
International student visa

International students in Australia who hold student visas are required to study full-time and on campus. Courses that are taught entirely online are only available to international students studying outside Australia or those in Australia who are not on a student visa. Online courses are not available to international students in Australia who hold a student visa.

Location options

Certificate IV in Screen and Media showreel

Certificate IV in Screen and Media showreel

Curious about what our Certificate IV in Screen and Media students produce? Check out some of the highlights of their work in our 2020 video showreel.

Admissions

Entry into this program is based on an applicant’s study and/or relevant work history. Some additional criteria may also apply.

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

Other requirements

Technical Requirements

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

  • Computer
  • Headphone with microphone
  • Camera through a computer connected to the internet to use “Collaborate Ultra” within the CANVAS Learning Management System
  • Internet access
  • External Hard Drive (1TB minimum)
     

When purchasing or accessing a computer we highly recommend the below specifications are considered either Apple Macintosh or Windows PC.

Computer recommendations:

Component  

  Minimum Performance  

  Top Performance  

  GPU  

  1080p: 4GB VRAM or 4K: 8GB VRAM  

  6K-8K: 20GB VRAM  

  CPU  

  4 Cores  

  18 Cores  

  RAM  

  HD: 16GB 4K: 32GB  

  6K-8K: 64GB  

  Internal Storage  

  1TB SSD  

  4TD: SSD  

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.

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.

Learn more about credit

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.

Learn more about RPL

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

Students must complete the 4 core and 9 elective units listed.

4
Core units
+
9
Elective units
=
Certificate IV
Indicative nominal course hours: 735

Your units

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

2023 fees

Full fee* ($AUD)

$10,910

Skills first government-subsidised place* ($AUD)

$5,150

Concession rate* ($AUD)

$1,030

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.

Learn more about Skills first government subsidies

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.

Find out more about fees

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.
Learn more about paying your fees

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.

Learn more about concession rates

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.

Learn more about scholarships

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.

Learn more about scholarships

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.

Apply through VTAC

International students currently studying Year 12 in Australia must apply through VTAC. VTAC is the central office that administers the application processes for places in tertiary courses, scholarships and the Special Entry Access Scheme at universities, TAFEs and independent tertiary colleges in Victoria. 

VTAC is the central office that administers the application processes for places in tertiary courses, scholarships and the Special Entry Access Scheme at universities, TAFEs and independent tertiary colleges in Victoria.

Start dates
Location
Last date to apply
Start dates
March intake
Location
Hawthorn
Last date to apply
21-February-2024
Start dates
26-February-2024
Start dates
Location
Start dates
March intake
Location
Hawthorn
Start dates
26-February-2024
Upcoming events
Swinburne Innovation Challenge
29-November-2023
  • "After completing this course, I feel very confident in heading out into the screen and media industry. From pre-production to post-production, this course covered the whole process and all its diversities. Equipped with all the skills and knowledge, I feel ready to be successful in the industry."

    Chelsea Richards , Certificate IV in Screen and Media