Pathway Outline
Information current as of
13/09/2026 1:46 PM AWST
13/09/2026 1:46 PM AWST
Whilst all efforts are made to provide accurate and timely information from the relevant source/documentation, please be aware that the information supplied may not be the most current version. The accuracy of the detail has not been confirmed by the Department and therefore should not be relied upon without first confirming the contents.
Broadcast and Digital Media
Broadcast and Digital Media
Pathway
National Code
—
—
State Code
AF15
AF15
DTWD Status
Approved
Approved
National Endorsed, State Implementation and Classification
Original TGA Release Date
09/07/2021
09/07/2021
Field of Education
1007 - Communication And Media Studies
1007 - Communication And Media Studies
Approved Date
26/11/2021
26/11/2021
Stream of Study
Initial Vocational (3100 - 3600)
Initial Vocational (3100 - 3600)
Duration
2 Semesters
Current Release Version
3.00
3.00
Current Release Date
19/10/2022
19/10/2022
Nominal Hours
717
717
Description
This qualification reflects the role of those who work in a range of screen and media industries, including animation, gaming and digital effects, specialist make-up services, film and television, radio and podcasting, lighting and sound, and content creation environments.
They apply technical and theoretical concepts in a broad range of contexts to undertake advanced skilled work. They will have technical and theoretical knowledge, with depth in some areas in a field of work.
The job roles that relate to this qualification may include director (film and television), technical director, master control operator, editor, content creator, sound designer, radio station manager, specialist make-up artist (creative), director of photography, instructional designer, editor (film and television), artistic director, production manager (film and television), lighting designer (productions), interface designer, special effects designer, animation designer, assistant film producer, information architect, lead animator, roto artist, compositor, compositing supervisor, motion graphics artist, editor, motion capture artist, 3D animator, 3D modeller, texture artist, concept artist.
They apply technical and theoretical concepts in a broad range of contexts to undertake advanced skilled work. They will have technical and theoretical knowledge, with depth in some areas in a field of work.
The job roles that relate to this qualification may include director (film and television), technical director, master control operator, editor, content creator, sound designer, radio station manager, specialist make-up artist (creative), director of photography, instructional designer, editor (film and television), artistic director, production manager (film and television), lighting designer (productions), interface designer, special effects designer, animation designer, assistant film producer, information architect, lead animator, roto artist, compositor, compositing supervisor, motion graphics artist, editor, motion capture artist, 3D animator, 3D modeller, texture artist, concept artist.
Packaging Rules
Total number of units = Fifteen (15)
- Four (4) core units plus
- Eleven (11) elective units, of which:
- at least nine (9) units must be from Groups A, B or C
- up to two (2) units may be from Groups A, B, C, or D or from any currently endorsed Certificate IV or above training package qualification or accredited course.
Elective units must be relevant to the work environment and the qualification, maintain the overall integrity of the AQF alignment, not duplicate the outcome of another unit chosen for the qualification, and contribute to a valid industry-supported vocational outcome.
Where relevant, the choice of elective units set out in the packaging rules above can serve to provide the qualification with one of the following specialisations. The rules to achieve a specialisation are detailed at qualification end.
- Animation, Gaming and Visual Effects
- Specialist Make-Up Services
- Directing
- Radio and Podcasting
- Journalism
- Content Creation
- Production Management
- Post-Production
Units of competency that contain pre-requisites are identified within the Qualification Packaging Rules on the training.gov.au (TGA) website.
Specialisations
The achievement of a specialisation will be identified on testamurs as follows:
- CUA51020 Diploma of Screen and Media (Animation, Gaming and Visual Effects)
- CUA51020 Diploma of Screen and Media (Specialist Make-Up Services)
- CUA51020 Diploma of Screen and Media (Directing)
- CUA51020 Diploma of Screen and Media (Radio & Podcasting)
- CUA51020 Diploma of Screen and Media (Journalism)
- CUA51020 Diploma of Screen and Media (Content Creation)
- CUA51020 Diploma of Screen and Media (Production Management)
- CUA51020 Diploma of Screen and Media (Post-production)
Packaging rules to achieve a specialisation
Animation, Gaming and Visual Effects
- Six (6) Group A elective units must be selected
Specialist Make-Up Services
- Six (6) Group B elective units must be selected, and must include CUAMUP411 Design, apply and remove make-up and CUAMUP413 Style hair for productions.
Directing
- Six (6) Group C elective units must be selected and must include CUADRT411 Direct television programs and segments, CUADRT511 Direct rehearsals of performers and CUADRT512 Direct performers for screen productions
Radio and Podcasting
- Five (5) Group C elective units must be selected and must include CUAAIR412 Refine on-air presentation techniques and CUAPPM414 Produce programs and program segments
Journalism
- Five (5) Group C elective units must be selected and must include CUAWRT415 Write narration and material for productions and CUAWRT512 Develop storylines and treatments
Content Creation
- Five (5) Group C elective units must be selected and must include CUACAM411 Shoot different screen content and CUADIG518 Refine digital art techniques
Production Management
- Five (5) Group C elective units must be selected and must include CUAPPM416 Coordinate media production services and resources and BSBPMG430 Undertake project work
Post-production
- Five (5) Group C elective units must be selected and must include CUAPOS412 Manage media assets and CUAPOS511 Edit complex media productions
- Four (4) core units plus
- Eleven (11) elective units, of which:
- at least nine (9) units must be from Groups A, B or C
- up to two (2) units may be from Groups A, B, C, or D or from any currently endorsed Certificate IV or above training package qualification or accredited course.
Elective units must be relevant to the work environment and the qualification, maintain the overall integrity of the AQF alignment, not duplicate the outcome of another unit chosen for the qualification, and contribute to a valid industry-supported vocational outcome.
Where relevant, the choice of elective units set out in the packaging rules above can serve to provide the qualification with one of the following specialisations. The rules to achieve a specialisation are detailed at qualification end.
- Animation, Gaming and Visual Effects
- Specialist Make-Up Services
- Directing
- Radio and Podcasting
- Journalism
- Content Creation
- Production Management
- Post-Production
Units of competency that contain pre-requisites are identified within the Qualification Packaging Rules on the training.gov.au (TGA) website.
Specialisations
The achievement of a specialisation will be identified on testamurs as follows:
- CUA51020 Diploma of Screen and Media (Animation, Gaming and Visual Effects)
- CUA51020 Diploma of Screen and Media (Specialist Make-Up Services)
- CUA51020 Diploma of Screen and Media (Directing)
- CUA51020 Diploma of Screen and Media (Radio & Podcasting)
- CUA51020 Diploma of Screen and Media (Journalism)
- CUA51020 Diploma of Screen and Media (Content Creation)
- CUA51020 Diploma of Screen and Media (Production Management)
- CUA51020 Diploma of Screen and Media (Post-production)
Packaging rules to achieve a specialisation
Animation, Gaming and Visual Effects
- Six (6) Group A elective units must be selected
Specialist Make-Up Services
- Six (6) Group B elective units must be selected, and must include CUAMUP411 Design, apply and remove make-up and CUAMUP413 Style hair for productions.
Directing
- Six (6) Group C elective units must be selected and must include CUADRT411 Direct television programs and segments, CUADRT511 Direct rehearsals of performers and CUADRT512 Direct performers for screen productions
Radio and Podcasting
- Five (5) Group C elective units must be selected and must include CUAAIR412 Refine on-air presentation techniques and CUAPPM414 Produce programs and program segments
Journalism
- Five (5) Group C elective units must be selected and must include CUAWRT415 Write narration and material for productions and CUAWRT512 Develop storylines and treatments
Content Creation
- Five (5) Group C elective units must be selected and must include CUACAM411 Shoot different screen content and CUADIG518 Refine digital art techniques
Production Management
- Five (5) Group C elective units must be selected and must include CUAPPM416 Coordinate media production services and resources and BSBPMG430 Undertake project work
Post-production
- Five (5) Group C elective units must be selected and must include CUAPOS412 Manage media assets and CUAPOS511 Edit complex media productions
1. Core Units
These units must be completed.
| State Code | National Code | Title | Hours | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ODE01 | CUAIND512 | Enhance professional practice using creative arts industry knowledge | 55 | Unit of competency |
| ODH64 | CUAPPR515 | Establish and maintain safe creative practice | 25 | Unit of competency |
| ODE19 | CUAIND412 | Provide freelance services | 30 | Unit of competency |
| ODE58 | CUAPPR411 | Realise a creative project | 55 | Unit of competency |
2. Elective Units: Group A - Animation, Gaming and Visual Effects
For specialisation in Animation, Gaming and Visual Effects, six (6) Group A elective units must be selected.
Please refer to the packaging rules for the full details of each specialisation.
Please refer to the packaging rules for the full details of each specialisation.
3. Elective Units: Group B - Specialist Make-up Services
For specialisation in Specialist Make-Up Services, six (6) Group B elective units must be selected and must include CUAMUP411 Design, apply and remove make-up and CUAMUP413 Style hair for productions.
Please refer to the packaging rules for the full details of each specialisation.
Please refer to the packaging rules for the full details of each specialisation.
| State Code | National Code | Title | Hours | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AWY26 | SHBHDES004 | Create classic long hair up-styles | 20 | Unit of competency |
| ODE52 | CUASFX411 | Create special effects items | 50 | Unit of competency |
| ODH16 | CUAMUP513 | Design and apply special make-up effects | 60 | Unit of competency |
| ODG38 | CUAMUP512 | Design and apply specialised make-up | 65 | Unit of competency |
| ODJ19 | CUAMUP411 | Design, apply and remove make-up | 160 | Unit of competency |
| ODE46 | CUAMUP412 | Maintain make-up and hair continuity | 160 | Unit of competency |
| AWY28 | SHBHDES005 | Select and apply hair extensions | 40 | Unit of competency |
| ODJ17 | CUAMUP413 | Style hair for productions | 60 | Unit of competency |
| ODJ00 | CUAMUP414 | Style wigs and hairpieces for productions | 120 | Unit of competency |
4. Elective Units: Group C - Screen and Media
Up to eleven (11) units may be chosen from Group C.
Please refer to the packaging rules for the full details of each specialisation.
Please refer to the packaging rules for the full details of each specialisation.
5. Elective Units: Group D - General Electives
Up to two (2) units may be chosen from Group D.
Please refer to the packaging rules for the full details of each specialisation.
Please refer to the packaging rules for the full details of each specialisation.
No information
General Notes
No information
Entry Requirements
Nil.