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National code: CUA41220

Certificate IV in Screen and Media (Animation and Visual Effects)

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Overview About this course

Gain skills in animation and visual effects, and launch your career in the dynamic screen, digital media, animation or games industry. Learn from industry experts and pursue your passion for creativity as a digital artist, animator or game designer.

Outcomes What you'll gain

Learning outcomes

Through a mixture of theory and practical course work, learn to:

  • Create 2D and 3D animations

  • Create digital effects

  • Work with editing programs

  • Design games

  • Create game art

  • Design titles for screen

  • Develop user interfaces

Course outcomes

Gain practical experience and develop specialist skills that give you an advantage in the job market.

  • A thorough introduction to the screen, digital media, animation or games industry with a comprehensive look at the various practices, expectations and roles that make this industry exciting and unique

  • Experience working on a variety of real-world projects that you can use as part of your portfolio

  • The skills to prepare audio and video assets and create visual design components, including 2D and 3D animations

  • A strong pathway to continue your study and enhance your career opportunities

Suitability Is this course right for you?

Entry requirements

Some courses require evidence of previous experience or study before you can enrol

  • There are no entry requirements for this qualification. You can enrol today.

Entry recommendations

To be prepared for this course, we recommend that you have:

  • Experience using computers and technology

  • A passion for being creative

  • A desire to move into one of these exciting creative fields: animation, digital media, visual effects, games design and game art

  • An interest in, or understanding of, the skills and knowledge required in industry

  • Completed a Certificate III in Screen and Media or have equivalent industry experience

TAFE NSW is committed to meeting the learning needs of every community. Meeting these needs can mean there are additional entry requirements at different campus locations. Check your preferred location for further requirements. If you need help preparing for study, contact us to find out how we can support you.

Pathways Future career and study options

Career pathways

Our graduates go onto roles like:

Performing Arts Technicians

Performing Arts Technicians provide technical and other assistance for the production, recording and broadcasting of artistic performances.

  • Full-time share Full-time workers usually work 35 hours or more a week (in all their jobs combined).

    60%

  • Employment size Employment size is the number of workers who do this as their main job.

    4,500 workers

  • Average age This is the average age of all workers in this job.

    38 years

  • Weekly pay Median earnings are shown for full-time, non-managerial employees paid at the adult rate, before tax or any amounts that are salary sacrificed. These figures are a guide to earnings only and should not be used to determine a wage rate.

    $1,350

  • Average full-time The average full-time hours that people in this role work each week.

    46 hours

  • Skill level rating Skill level ratings are based on the range and complexity of job roles. In general, the higher the skill level, the more formal education and training, previous experience or on-the-job training needed to be good at the job.

    Medium

  • Gender share

    29% female

  • Future growth The Department of Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business estimates the likely change in number of workers in this role, or industry, over the next 5 years. Future growth is the likely percentage change compared to all other job roles.

    Strong Growth

Other jobs include: storyboard artist, 2D and/or 3D animator, motion graphics designer, game designer, game artist, visual effects compositor, visual effects designer and editor.

Study pathways

Take your study further with other courses offered at TAFE NSW:

Previous study 1 Course

Begin here to gain experience and confidence in this study area.

Further study 1 Course

Advance your skills to take your career to the next level

Related study 5 Courses

Strengthen your expertise and gain specialist skills to expand your employability.

Your experience counts

At TAFE NSW, we recognise your previous study and work experience. You can apply for recognition of prior learning or a credit transfer with any of our courses. If you're successful you'll get your qualification faster.

Units Units taught in this course

Courses are made up of a combination of both core and specialty units. In the Certificate IV in Screen and Media (Animation and Visual Effects) qualification, you’ll need to successfully complete 13 units of competency, including 4 core and 9 speciality units.

Please note, not all specialty units are offered at every TAFE NSW location. It is highly recommended that you check with your preferred campus for information about the specialty units offered at that location.

Core units are central to the job outcomes of a particular industry or occupation. These are the units industry has agreed are essential to be capable and qualified at a particular study level.

  • Develop personal work priorities BSBPEF402

  • Work effectively in the creative arts industry CUAIND311

  • Develop and implement own self-care plan in the creative industries CUAMWB401

  • Apply work health and safety practices CUAWHS312

TAFE NSW services Facilities and support

TAFE NSW provides support services across all campus locations and online. Whatever your needs or circumstances, we have the people, resources, counselling and facilities to support you in focusing on your studies.

  • TAFE NSW Disability Support Service

  • TAFE NSW Language, Literacy and Numeracy (LLN) support

  • TAFE NSW Aboriginal Support; Learner support (ABE)

  • TAFE NSW Careers, Counselling and Pathways Service

  • TAFE NSW Libraries

  • Scholarship programs – be supported as you explore your talents and fulfil your potential

  • Read&Write literacy and study support software is available free for all TAFE NSW students to use while studying on campus and at home

  • LinkedIn Learning – an online resource which offers innovative courses and tutorials to improve your personal and professional skills

  • Student associations – get social with our student community

Study options Find a location to enrol

Choose from the below study options and locations to discover what works with your lifestyle. Heart your favourites and compare courses.