INTERNATIONAL

Certificate IV in Visual Arts

CRICOS Code: 105802D
National Code: CUA41320

2025 2026

Description

Enjoy a studio-based learning environment where you’ll be introduced to design, illustration, drawing, and object making. Your creative future in the arts starts here with this studio-based qualification. You’ll learn and create in dedicated visual arts spaces at the Adelaide College of the Arts, including purpose-built studios, workshops, and exhibition spaces. Develop your practical studio skills as you learn the fundamentals of art history and theory. Studios are offered in ceramics, jewellery, painting, photography, printmaking and sculpture. The program culminates with an exhibition featuring artworks you’ve developed during your study.

Duration (incl. holidays)

Semester(s)

Teaching Duration

Example Career Profile

Print Course Page

52 weeks

40 weeks

Artist

International Applications

Campus / Location

Study Mode

Contact Hours

Study Load

Commences

Scheduled

Adelaide College of the Arts

On campus/location – learn in a classroom environment that gives you the opportunity to interact with your lecturer and fellow students in person.

20 hours per week

Full Time

January, July

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On Campus/Location

On campus/location – learn in a classroom environment that gives you the opportunity to interact with your lecturer and fellow students in person.

Full Time

Full Time classes

Day Classes

Day time classes

Evening Classes

Evening time classes

Course Admission Requirements
(for International Applications)

Academic IELTS score of 6.0 Overall with minimum of 5.0 in all bands or equivalent.
Satisfactory completion of Year 11 or overseas equivalent .

Fees

These course fees are for international students only.

Duration

Tuition Fees

Incidental Fees^*

Semester 1

AUD $8710

AUD $700^*

Semester 2

AUD $8710

Fee Totals

AUD $17420

AUD $700^*

Total Course Cost

AUD $18120

* Students may be required to purchase additional items at the approximate cost of A$700.

Note: TAFE SA course tuition and other fees/costs are subject to regular increases and are reviewed annually. TAFE SA accepts applications for courses commencing beyond the current year, course, tuition and other fees/costs for these years will apply once published. TAFE SA and their agents reserve the right to alter, amend or delete any fee, course, admission requirement, mode of delivery, duration or other arrangement without prior notice. If the study duration is extended beyond the period of the student’s visa the student will be liable for visa and related costs, eg medical examinations, OSHC and living expenses.

Overseas Students Health Cover

All overseas students are required to have Overseas Students Health Cover (OSHC) insurance for the entire duration of the course. The health cover rate will vary depending on the personal circumstances and duration of stay in Australia. Read more about Overseas Students Health Cover.

Employment Outcomes & Skills Covered

Employment Outcomes

Graduates of these courses are equipped to excel in activities that embrace an artist's and designer's practice. Artists and designers may choose to practise independently, join industry enterprises or participate in public art commissions and community art activities. Opportunities include working in jewellery, sculpture, painting, ceramics, art photography, printmaking, galleries and in education.

Note: Completion of a TAFE SA course does not guarantee an employment outcome. Formal requirements other than educational qualifications (eg licensing, professional registration), may apply to some occupations.

Qualifications & Skills Covered

Certificate IV in Visual Arts (CUA41320)
The course provides a largely studio based learning environment, introducing the student to a range of skills in studios such as design, drawing, ceramics, object making, printmaking, photo imaging and concept development. This practical learning is further supported by an introduction to art history and how the student can use this to support and enhance their own work. To complete the qualification you are required to complete all 6 core units and 9 elective units.

90%*
of TAFE SA graduates are satisfied with the overall quality of training.

87%*
of TAFE SA graduates would recommend their training.

* 2023 NCVER Student Outcomes Survey findings

Course Units

Below is a list of all units that TAFE SA can offer in this qualification. The selection of elective units you will be enrolled into depends on the campus you attend, and the qualification packaging rules described on www.training.gov.au.

Not all elective units listed below must necessarily be completed to achieve your qualification.

Core

Name	Nominal Hours	Subject Code	National Code
Apply work health and safety practices	30	DABCB	CUAWHS312
Develop and discuss ideas for own creative work	70	DABEE	CUAPPR415
Develop self as artist	60	DABED	CUAPPR414
Produce drawings to communicate ideas	90	DABDE	CUAACD311
Realise a creative project	90	DABEC	CUAPPR411
Research history and theory to inform own arts practice	70	DAAHT	CUARES403

Elective

Name	Nominal Hours	Subject Code	National Code
Apply photo imaging lighting techniques	100	DABCF	CUAPHI412
Develop and refine illustrative work	50	DAAMF	CUAILL401
Document the creative work progress	15	DABCH	CUAPPR312
Experiment with printing techniques	50	DABEP	CUAPRI411
Experiment with techniques to produce ceramic works	50	DABDS	CUACER411
Experiment with techniques to produce jewellery	50	DAAXP	CUAJWL401
Experiment with techniques to produce paintings	50	DABEA	CUAPAI411
Experiment with techniques to produce sculpture	50	DABEW	CUASCU411
Explore and apply the creative design process to 2D forms	60	DABDY	CUADES302
Explore and apply the creative design process to 3D forms	60	DABDZ	CUADES303
Explore the use of colour	50	DABDX	CUADES301
Make scale models	50	DABDF	CUAACD314
Select and prepare creative work for exhibition	30	DABEF	CUAPPR417

Living in Adelaide

The city created for students

You will never find another city like Adelaide. With welcoming locals, it is the perfect place for you to study, live and enjoy.

A student city

Adelaide is home to over 30,000 international students and has a strong and growing reputation as an education city. In addition to TAFE SA, Adelaide is home to six world-leading universities: The University of Adelaide, the University of South Australia, Flinders University, Carnegie Mellon University, Torrens University Australia and CQ University Australia.

Safe

Adelaide’s crime rates are the lowest in the country and for that reason, Adelaide has previously been named the safest city in Australia.

Beach Culture

Adelaide’s pristine sandy beaches are just a 20 minute tram ride from the city centre. On hot summer days, you can study in the day and take the tram to have dinner at the beach and watch the sunset with friends.

Live centrally

Accommodation is more affordable in Adelaide than in other cities in Australia making it often possible for students to live in the heart of the city or just outside. This means more time is spent studying and less time travelling.

Delicious!

Adelaide is known for its cafe culture, with more cafes and restaurants by population than any other city in Australia. In recent years, Adelaide has also developed a vibrant and varied bar scene. The city is big enough that you will struggle to visit all of the places you would like to drink and eat in during in your first year of study. Our mix of cultures means there’s likely to be a supermarket that sells food from your home country too.

Easy to get around

Adelaide is a flat city so it is ideal for walking or cycling. Its grid layout makes it almost impossible to get lost! There are free trams and buses around the city centre. International students can show their ID to get cheaper tickets.

Festivals

Adelaide is known for its festivals, which are famous around the world. WOMADelaide, the Adelaide Festival of Arts, Fringe Festival and Cabaret Festival are just some of the international arts and music festivals that keep the city buzzing

Everyone agrees – Adelaide is a great place to live and study

Adelaide is recognised as one of the world’s most liveable cities. In 2014, Lonely Planet’s Best of Travel book ranked Adelaide in the global top ten. For the last four years Adelaide has been ranked one of the most liveable cities in the world by The Economist Intelligence Unit.

Beautiful weather

Adelaide has four distinct seasons, with moderate winters and warm to hot summers. In winter you will need woolly jumpers and jackets and in summer, shorts and t-shirts. The heat in South Australia is dry, rather than humid.