You are here: / / Graphic Design

  • Study Graphic Design

Study Graphic Design

Potential Career Outcomes
Course overview

Gaining a qualification in graphic designing will equip you with an in-depth knowledge of all aspect of designing and developing digital media technologies. You will gain knowledge in using software such as Adobe InDesign, Illustrator and Photoshop for the purpose of advertising and promotion, branding, signage and packaging. With these qualifications, you will acquire skills to work in a diverse range of graphic designing roles.

Interested in graphic designing? In Australia, there are many courses you can take to start your career in this field. Australia offers courses both at the vocational training level across to higher education. In these courses you will be exposed to topics such as:

  • Design Effective User Experiences
  • Mass Print Media Advertisements
  • Mass Electronic Media Advertisements
  • Global Design Trends
  • Copyright
  • Design Solutions
  • Interactive Media
  • Digital Art Techniques
  • Websites Creation
Graduate Outcomes
  • Individuals in this field can earn on average $1,346 per week.
  • The number of people working in this field is expected to grow strongly over the next 5 years.
  • It is projected that over the next 5 years there will be around 27,000 job openings.
  • Most people in the field work in the Professional, Scientific and Technical Services; Manufacturing; and Information Media and Telecommunications industry.
Common Course Requirements
  • Completion of secondary education
  • Meet English proficiency (Usually at least IELTS 5.5 overall for Vocational courses, or 6.5 for University courses).
Related Courses
  • Diploma of Graphic Design

Duration:  43 – 78 weeks
Intake: 4 Terms
Cost: $8,600 – $36,070

Locations:  Most cities: Melbourne, Sydney, Canberra, Brisbane

  • Advanced Diploma of Graphic Design

Duration: 46 – 78 weeks

Intake: 4 Terms

Cost: $10,000 – $36,070

Locations: Melbourne, Sydney, Canberra, Brisbane

  • Bachelor of Graphic Design

Duration: 156 – 178 weeks

Intake: February, July

Cost: from $30,000 per year

Locations: Canberra, Sydney, Melbourne

Studying Graphic Design in Australia: What the Course Covers

Graphic design courses teach you to communicate ideas visually for print, screen and physical spaces. You study design principles, typography, colour theory, layout, drawing and illustration, branding and visual identity, packaging, publication design, digital and user interface design, motion graphics and preparing files for print and web. You will use industry software such as Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign, and learn how to respond to a client brief, present concepts and manage design projects. Assessment is usually project based, so you graduate with a portfolio.

Qualifications and AQF Levels

Qualification AQF level What it prepares you for
Certificate IV in Design AQF 4 Design assistant and production artist roles, and a foundation for further study
Diploma of Graphic Design AQF 5 Junior graphic designer roles in studios and in house teams
Advanced Diploma of Graphic Design AQF 6 Graphic designer roles with more complex branding and campaign work
Bachelor of Design (Visual Communication) or Bachelor of Graphic Design AQF 7 Graphic, brand, digital and user experience design careers

Study Pathways

Many students start with a Diploma of Graphic Design and then complete an Advanced Diploma or move into a bachelor of design with credit. Others go straight into a bachelor of design or visual communication. Your portfolio is the most important thing employers look at, so choose a course with plenty of real client briefs, and consider adding digital skills such as user experience (UX) or motion design to broaden your options.

Related Occupations and Visa Pathways (as at October 2026)

Occupation ANZSCO CSOL (482 and 186) Skilled lists (189, 190, 491, 485)
Graphic Designer 232411 No STSOL
Multimedia Designer 232413 Yes ROL
Web Designer 232414 Yes STSOL

Our Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) guide explains which visas use each list and what that means for graphic, web and multimedia designers. Graphic Designer was one of the occupations not included when the CSOL started on 7 December 2024, so it can no longer be used for the 482 Core Skills stream.

Career Outlook

Graphic designers work for design studios, advertising and marketing agencies, publishers, printers, and in house design and marketing teams across many industries. Many also work freelance. Demand has shifted strongly towards digital work such as social media content, web and app interfaces, and motion graphics, so designers who combine visual skills with digital and user experience skills have more options.

Applying for a Student Visa to Study Graphic Design

For graphic design, explain how the course develops your existing creative work, for example a portfolio you started at school or design work you did for a business, and where it leads. The current English, money and work conditions are on our Student visa (subclass 500) page.

Graphic Design Study FAQs

Graphic Designer (232411) is on the STSOL but was not included in the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL). This means it cannot be used for the 482 Skills in Demand (Core Skills) or 186 Direct Entry visas, but some states may still nominate it for 190 or 491 visas. Web Designer and Multimedia Designer are on the CSOL.

The 485 Post-Vocational Education Work stream requires an occupation on the MLTSSL, and graphic and web design occupations are not on the MLTSSL. Graduates of a bachelor degree or higher may be eligible for the Post-Higher Education Work stream instead.

Many diploma courses accept students without a portfolio, while bachelor and advanced diploma courses often ask for one or for an interview. Check with each provider.

You will normally learn the industry standard tools for page layout, image editing and vector illustration, plus prototyping tools for web and app interfaces and an introduction to motion graphics. Courses also teach design principles that do not depend on software, such as typography, colour theory, layout and branding.

Am I eligible for a Student visa? Student Visa Funds Calculator Study a Trade Course Assessment Study a Uni Course Assessment

Recent News

Student visa changes from 2 October 2026

After Graduation in Australia: Key PR Pathways for International Students in 2026

What the New Migration Reforms Mean for You

Left Australia Without a Bridging Visa B?