Overview

Help combat discrimination, inequality, and abuses of power with a Diploma of Justice. We’ll teach you how the Victorian criminal justice system works – the theory and practice behind it – as well as how to manage adult offenders and work within family violence circumstances. Graduate with confidence to begin your career.

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

  • Nationally recognised training
    Nationally recognised training
  • TAFE Victoria
    TAFE Victoria
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

  • Theoretical knowledge
  • Strategy
  • Processes
  • Justice principles

Your career opportunities

  • Case management
  • Claims
  • Client support work
  • Investigation
  • Police and law enforcement
  • Loss prevention work

Key codes

Hawthorn VTAC code
3400211324
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

Admissions

Applicants must be over 18 years old when the course commences.

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

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

One of the following:

  • the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) or its equivalent, such as an interstate or international Year 12 qualification.

  • completion or partial completion of an approved tertiary qualification (including diplomas, advanced diplomas, associate degrees and degrees).

Other requirements

Applicants for the Diploma of Justice (22594VIC) are expected to have a demonstrated capacity in learning, reading, writing, oracy to Level 4 and numeracy to Level 3 of the Australian Core Skills Framework (ACSF) as they are required to work independently and use support from a range of unfamiliar and/or unpredictable resources; read complex text with specialised vocabulary; embed information in a justice context; and conduct complex analysis, which includes extracting, extrapolating and reflecting on information.

Applicants will be required to complete literacy and numeracy testing (BKSB) as part of the application process.

Applicants must be able to use a personal computer, including basic word processing, spreadsheet, and electronic communication platforms and internet search engines.

Technical requirements

Students need a headphone/microphone and camera through a computer connected to the internet to use 'Collaborate Ultra ' within the CANVAS learning management platform.

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

The full-time course consists of 12 units; 10 core and two electives. The full-time course is taught on campus over 12 months with 4 terms of eight weeks. Full-time students typically have 16 hours of timetabled classes a week over three days for one year.

10
Core units
+
2
Elective units
=
Diploma
Indicative nominal course hours: 660

Your units

Units of study Unit code
Core units
Apply foundation legal principles
Core unit, 70.0 credit points
VU23166
Apply writing and presentation skills within a justice environment
Core unit, 60.0 credit points
VU23168
Support the ethics and values of working within a justice environment
Core unit, 40.0 credit points
VU23169
Apply self-management and workplace health and safety (WHS) strategies in the justice environment
Core unit, 60.0 credit points
VU23174
Work with conflict resolution and mediation processes within justice environments
Core unit, 40.0 credit points
VU23173
Support cultural diversity in justice environments
Core unit, 50.0 credit points
VU23172
Prepare to work within the criminal justice system
Core unit, 60.0 credit points
VU23167
Support cultural safety for First Nations people within a justice environment
Core unit, 50.0 credit points
VU23175
Prepare to work with family violence contexts within justice environments
Core unit, 50.0 credit points
VU23171
Apply criminal law within justice environments
Core unit, 80.0 credit points
VU23170
Elective units
Support the management of adult offenders within the Victorian correctional framework
Elective unit, 60.0 credit points
VU23176
Identify and support children and young people at risk
Elective unit, 40.0 credit points
VU23177

2024 fees

Full fee* ($AUD)

$10,730

Skills first government-subsidised place* ($AUD)

$4,460

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

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.

Eligibility for VET student loans (VSL)

If you apply for a VET Student Loan, Swinburne must first verify your identity. If you are eligible, we will provide your enrolment information to the government so you can complete the application within their eCAF system.

The VET Student Loan amount for this course is capped. You must start repaying this loan once you earn above the compulsory repayment threshold.

Concessions rates for vocational students

Concession rates for Diploma and Advanced Diploma programs are also available if you self-identify as being of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent and qualify for a government-subsidised training place under the Indigenous Completions Initiative.

The eligibility criteria are set by the Victorian Government and assessed by Swinburne in accordance with government directives, which are subject to change at any time.

  • Portrait   Female Nurse  Scrubs  Hospital Work  Smiling  Happy  Clipboard

    Study this course for free in 2024

    You could have your tuition fees covered in 2024 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!

Student services and amenities fee

This funding serves to improve the student experience at Swinburne. You may use many or just some of the services and amenities that the fee provides.

From 1 January 2024, all Diploma level and above courses will contribute to the Student Services and Amenities fee. Below is the capped amount for 2023 as a guide ahead of fees for 2024 being announced.

Please refer to the Student Services Amenities Fee page for more information.

This funding serves to improve the student experience at Swinburne. You may use many or just some of the services and amenities that the fee provides.

This amenities fee is included within your annual tuition fee listed above. The fee shown in the capped amount for 2024.

Please refer to the Student Services Amenities Fee page for more information.

SSAF fee* ($AUD)

$326

SSAF fee* ($AUD)

$326

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
22594VIC
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.

Hawthorn VTAC code
3400211324
Apply through VTAC
Start dates
Location
Last date to apply
Start dates
August intake
Location
Hawthorn
Last date to apply
24-July-2024
Start dates
29-July-2024
Start dates
Location
Start dates
August intake
Location
Hawthorn
Start dates
29-July-2024
Upcoming events
Swinburne Innovation Challenge
26-June-2024
  • From Diploma to employment at IBAC

    After taking on the Diploma of Justice, Skye chose to come back and complete her Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice. As part of her course, Skye chose to undertake an internship, which not only was turned into part-time employment while she was studying, but was a stepping stone for ongoing employment in 2021.

    Skye , Bachelor of Criminal Justice and Criminology