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  • Study Screen and Media

Study Screen and Media

Potential Career Outcomes
Course overview

Gaining a qualification in screen and media will equip you with an in-depth knowledge of all aspect of production from pre-production until post-production. With these qualifications, you will acquire skills to work in a diverse range of screen and media-based roles.

Interested in screen and media? 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:

  • Script Writing
  • Film and Media Production
  • Sound Designs
  • Advertising Campaigns
  • Manage Performers
  • Digital Visual Effects
Graduate Outcomes
  • Artistic directors, media producers and presenters earn $2099 per week on average.
  • The unemployment rate for artistic directors, media producers and presenters were below average in 2018.
  • Artistic directors, media producers and presenters work mainly in the following industries: Information Media and Telecommunications; Professional, Scientific and Technical Services; and Arts and Recreation Services
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 Screen and Media

Duration: 26 – 70 weeks

Intake: February, July

Cost: $7,530 – $35,570

Locations: Most cities – Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide

  • Advanced Diploma of Screen and Media

Duration: 26 – 98 weeks

Intake: February, July

Cost: $7,460 – $54,000

Locations: Most cities – Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide

  • Bachelor of Screen and Media

Duration: 104 – 156 weeks

Intake: February, July

Cost: $22,000 – 35,000 per year

Locations: Most cities across Australia

Studying Screen and Media in Australia: What the Course Covers

Screen and media courses cover the full production process for film, television, online video, animation and podcasts. You learn to develop ideas and write scripts, plan productions, operate cameras and lighting, record and mix sound, edit picture and sound, create motion graphics and visual effects, and deliver content for different platforms. Many courses let you specialise, for example in film and television production, animation and visual effects, sound production, or content creation, and most are project based so you finish with a showreel or portfolio of your work.

Qualifications and AQF Levels

Qualification AQF level What it prepares you for
Certificate IV in Screen and Media AQF 4 Production assistant and junior content creation roles
Diploma of Screen and Media AQF 5 Specialist roles such as editor, camera operator, animator or sound technician
Advanced Diploma of Screen and Media AQF 6 Senior creative and production roles and larger independent projects
Bachelor of Film, Screen Production or Media AQF 7 Producer, director and media careers, with broader industry and theory study

Study Pathways

Students often begin with a Certificate IV or Diploma of Screen and Media and then move to an Advanced Diploma, or use their diploma for credit into a bachelor degree in film, screen production or media. Industry connections matter in this field, so look for courses with industry projects, internships or festival screenings. A strong showreel is usually more important to employers than the qualification level alone.

Related Occupations and Visa Pathways (as at October 2026)

Occupation ANZSCO CSOL (482 and 186) Skilled lists (189, 190, 491, 485)
Video Producer 212318 Yes STSOL
Program Director (Television or Radio) 212315 Yes STSOL
Television Presenter 212114 No Not listed
Radio Presenter 212113 No Not listed
Media Producer (excluding Video) 212112 No Not listed
Art Director (Film, Television or Stage) 212311 No Not listed
Multimedia Designer 232413 Yes ROL

Our Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) guide explains which visas use each list and what that means for video producers and other screen roles.

Career Outlook

Screen and media work is found with production companies, broadcasters, streaming and online content businesses, advertising and marketing agencies, post production and visual effects studios, and in corporate and government communications teams. Much of the industry works on a project or freelance basis, so building a network and a portfolio is important. Skills in editing, motion graphics and short form video for social media are widely used outside the traditional film and television industry.

Applying for a Student Visa to Study Screen and Media

Screen and media providers often ask about your creative interests, so use your Genuine Student statement to connect the course to work you have already made, such as short films, editing or content for social media, and to a realistic career plan. See our Student visa (subclass 500) page for the current visa conditions.

Screen and Media Study FAQs

As at October 2026, Video Producer (212318) is on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL), so an employer may sponsor you for a 482 Skills in Demand visa if you meet the experience and skills requirements. It is also on the STSOL. Television Presenter, Radio Presenter, Media Producer (excluding Video) and Art Director are not on the CSOL, MLTSSL or STSOL.

The 485 Post-Vocational Education Work stream requires an occupation on the MLTSSL closely related to your qualification. The common screen and media occupations are not on the MLTSSL, so a diploma alone generally does not lead to that stream. A bachelor degree or higher may make you eligible for the Post-Higher Education Work stream.

Some providers ask for a short portfolio, showreel or interview, especially for advanced diploma and bachelor courses, while many certificate and diploma courses do not. Check the entry requirements of each provider before you apply.

Yes. Paid work on a set counts towards your student visa work limit, and shoots often run long days, so plan them around your classes. Unpaid student productions and internships that are a required part of your course are generally treated differently from paid work, so check with your provider before you agree to a shoot.

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

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