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CUA50920 Diploma of Photography and Digital Imaging

National ID
CUA50920
WA Course Code
BGR7
CRICOS code
108213A
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Student holding a camera, standing in front of photography equipment including tripods
Person studying work at desk

Why choose this course?

Take your talent for photography to new heights with this qualification. Learn how to take spectacular shots in a range of contexts and how to manipulate the environment around you to help with your photography.

During this course, you will develop your skills and knowledge in taking and developing photographs and composing, capturing, processing and enhancing images using various techniques. The course covers production of digital images, camera techniques, lighting, studio and location work. You will develop skills in business, publishing systems, markets and photographic illustration and learn to consider variables including client needs and aesthetics.

You will have the opportunity to develop skills in industrial and scientific photography, fine art photography or photojournalism. Upon graduation you will have gained a varied skill set aligned to industry standards, such as producing commercial, portrait and stock photo images, research skills and the knowledge to manage media assets.

You can continue your studies for a further year in the CUA60420 Advanced Diploma of Creative Product Development – Photography.

Career opportunities

  • Freelance Photographer
  • Photographic Assistant
  • Photojournalist

  • A Folio is required for this course. For up to date information on folio requirements please refer to our website: tafeinternational.wa.edu.au/folio-requirements.

  • An IELTS score (academic) of 6.0 with no band score less than 5.0 or equivalent.

  • Equivalent to Australian Year 11.

​Please view Admission requirements for your country of origin.

Your study options

Semester 1, 2025

Duration | 2 semesters
When | Semester 1, 2025
Where | North Metropolitan TAFE (52786)

Location map

How | On campus, to a minimum of 20 contact hours per week
Fees (total indicative for course)
  • Tuition fee: $12,480
  • Resources fee: $1,130
  • Materials fee: $200

Tuition fees are reviewed annually. If tuition fees are increased, you will be required to pay the new fees as they are introduced. You will be provided with an indicative schedule of fees in your Letter of Offer.

Resource fees are for consumables you use in your course e.g. paint, internet etc. You pay this fee to your college at enrolment. If your course goes longer than one semester, the resource fee may not need to be paid in one amount but may be spaced out over the duration of your course. Your college will advise you of the payment amount each semester.

Material fees are for items that remain your property after the course has been completed e.g. personal protective equipment, tools, text books etc. You pay this fee to your college at enrolment.

Work placement

There is no work placement requirement for this course, however, there will be a number of opportunities for industry involvement including industry visits to the campus, students visiting industry as class excursions and students making their own arrangements for work placement activities.

To achieve this qualification, students must demonstrate competency in 17 units. These 17 are comprised of 4 core units and 13 elective units. Elective units listed below have been selected in consultation with industry.

Students who enrol into this qualification will be eligible for credit transfer of the units that they have already achieved. Fees paid by international students are set on a commercial basis and are paid as a whole of course fee - no refund will apply to credit transfers. Please refer to your letter of Offer for detailed duration and costings for your enrolment.

Core units
    National ID
    Unit title
  • CUAPHI523 Employ colour management in a digital imaging workplace
  • CUAPHI531 Apply visual communication theory to photo imaging practice
  • CUAPHI532 Research and apply photo imaging trends and emerging technologies
  • CUAPHI533 Explore and apply photo lighting techniques
Elective units
    National ID
    Unit title
  • CUADES512 Establish, negotiate and refine a design brief
  • CUADIG415 Produce innovative digital images
  • CUADIG518 Refine digital art techniques
  • CUAIND412 Provide freelance services
  • CUAPHI411 Capture images in response to a brief
  • CUAPHI522 Plan and produce stock photo images
  • CUAPHI535 Produce commercial photo images
  • CUAPHI536 Provide photographic portrait services
  • CUAPHI537 Produce media photo images
  • CUAPOS412 Manage media assets
  • CUAPPR414 Develop self as an artist
  • CUAPPR513 Present a body of own creative work
  • CUARES403 Research history and theory to inform own arts practice

Assessment methods

The methods of assessment used in this course combines a range of methods to gather evidence that closely reflects the practices and products used in industry and across a range of photographic specialties. These include practical assignments, observation, third party reports and folios.

These assessment strategies and evidence gathering are in accordance with the relevant training package or accreditation guidelines. Detailed Information is available in the assessment matrix, learning plans and assessment tools for each of the units of competency. Assessors use the matrix to ensure assessments, are undertaken across the duration of the course, rather than clustered together at particular times

Learning resources, facilities and equipment

The following learning resources, facilities and equipment are available at each campus so that you can achieve the skill and knowledge requirements of this course. 

 

Learning resources may include access to Blackboard, learning guides, PowerPoints and handouts.

 

Facilities and equipment may include access to a professional photographic studio, comprehensive photographic equipment for loan to students, a fully equipped digital laboratory with relevant photo industry software, exhibition space, classrooms, darkrooms, printing rooms, finishing rooms, commercial processing laboratory, library, full time photography technician and photography stores person.

Key dates

Semester and holiday dates are included in your Letter of Offer. View upcoming semester start and end dates.

Semester 1, 2026

Duration | 2 semesters
When | Semester 1, 2026
Where | North Metropolitan TAFE (52786)

Location map

How | On campus, to a minimum of 20 contact hours per week
Fees (total indicative for course)
  • Tuition fee: $12,480
  • Resources fee: $1,130
  • Materials fee: $200

Tuition fees are reviewed annually. If tuition fees are increased, you will be required to pay the new fees as they are introduced. You will be provided with an indicative schedule of fees in your Letter of Offer.

Resource fees are for consumables you use in your course e.g. paint, internet etc. You pay this fee to your college at enrolment. If your course goes longer than one semester, the resource fee may not need to be paid in one amount but may be spaced out over the duration of your course. Your college will advise you of the payment amount each semester.

Material fees are for items that remain your property after the course has been completed e.g. personal protective equipment, tools, text books etc. You pay this fee to your college at enrolment.

Work placement

There is no work placement requirement for this course, however, there will be a number of opportunities for industry involvement including industry visits to the campus, students visiting industry as class excursions and students making their own arrangements for work placement activities.

To achieve this qualification, students must demonstrate competency in 17 units. These 17 are comprised of 4 core units and 13 elective units. Elective units listed below have been selected in consultation with industry.

Students who enrol into this qualification will be eligible for credit transfer of the units that they have already achieved. Fees paid by international students are set on a commercial basis and are paid as a whole of course fee - no refund will apply to credit transfers. Please refer to your letter of Offer for detailed duration and costings for your enrolment.

Core units
    National ID
    Unit title
  • CUAPHI523 Employ colour management in a digital imaging workplace
  • CUAPHI531 Apply visual communication theory to photo imaging practice
  • CUAPHI532 Research and apply photo imaging trends and emerging technologies
  • CUAPHI533 Explore and apply photo lighting techniques
Elective units
    National ID
    Unit title
  • CUADES512 Establish, negotiate and refine a design brief
  • CUADIG415 Produce innovative digital images
  • CUADIG518 Refine digital art techniques
  • CUAIND412 Provide freelance services
  • CUAPHI411 Capture images in response to a brief
  • CUAPHI522 Plan and produce stock photo images
  • CUAPHI535 Produce commercial photo images
  • CUAPHI536 Provide photographic portrait services
  • CUAPHI537 Produce media photo images
  • CUAPOS412 Manage media assets
  • CUAPPR414 Develop self as an artist
  • CUAPPR513 Present a body of own creative work
  • CUARES403 Research history and theory to inform own arts practice

Assessment methods

The methods of assessment used in this course combines a range of methods to gather evidence that closely reflects the practices and products used in industry and across a range of photographic specialties. These include practical assignments, observation, third party reports and folios.

These assessment strategies and evidence gathering are in accordance with the relevant training package or accreditation guidelines. Detailed Information is available in the assessment matrix, learning plans and assessment tools for each of the units of competency. Assessors use the matrix to ensure assessments, are undertaken across the duration of the course, rather than clustered together at particular times

Learning resources, facilities and equipment

The following learning resources, facilities and equipment are available at each campus so that you can achieve the skill and knowledge requirements of this course. 

 

Learning resources may include access to Blackboard, learning guides, PowerPoints and handouts.

 

Facilities and equipment may include access to a professional photographic studio, comprehensive photographic equipment for loan to students, a fully equipped digital laboratory with relevant photo industry software, exhibition space, classrooms, darkrooms, printing rooms, finishing rooms, commercial processing laboratory, library, full time photography technician and photography stores person.

Key dates

Semester and holiday dates are included in your Letter of Offer. View upcoming semester start and end dates.

There may be further semester intakes available for enrolment. You can view any further intakes when you submit your online application(opens in a new tab).

For information about pathways from TAFE to university, view our Pathways to university page.

How to apply

Apply to study at TAFE in six steps:

  1. find a course;
  2. check entry requirements;
  3. submit an application;
  4. accept your offer and pay;
  5. apply for your student visa; and
  6. receive your visa and come to Australia for your studies.

View our TAFE application process page for detailed advice

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TAFE International Western Australia (TIWA) is the Registered Training Organisation (RTO) and Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS) provider, for the delivery of training to international students, enrolled in a TAFE course in Western Australia. This nationally recognised course is delivered by a Western Australian TAFE college on TIWA's behalf. TIWA retains responsibility for the quality of the training and assessment delivered by the TAFE colleges and for the issue of certification documentation to students.

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Last updated on November 30, 2022