Qualification Outline

Date retreived
22/07/2026 9:36 AM 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.

Certificate IV in Photography and Digital Imaging

Certificate IV in Photography and Digital Imaging

Qualification
National Code:
CUA41120
State Code:
BGT5
TGA Status:
Current
DTWD Status:
Approved
National Endorsed, State Implementation and Classification
Field of Education
1003 - Visual Arts And Crafts
Original TGA Release Date
16/04/2021
Approved Date
26/11/2021
Stream of Study
Initial Vocational (3100 - 3600)
VET Act Classifier
C
Nominal Hours
770
Duration
2 Semesters
Current Release Number
3.00
Current Release Date
13/08/2025
VET Act Conditions
Releases
Release Version Release Date TGA Status DTWD Status
3.00 13/08/2025 Current Approved
2.00 19/10/2022 Replaced Approved
1.00 16/04/2021 Replaced Approved
Description

This qualification reflects the role of individuals who apply a broad range of technical skills in photo imaging, including lighting, image capture, enhancements and manipulation and output. The outcomes of this qualification apply to a range of industry contexts including in retail, commercial, domestic portrait, media, wedding, illustrative, institutional and art photography work environments. These may be within organisations or of an independent nature. The job roles that relate to this qualification may include Photographer (freelance), Photographer’s Assistant (Studio), Compositor, Digital Retoucher, Photo or Minilab Retail Assistant. It also provides a pathway to other photography and photo imaging job roles.
Practice at this level is predominately digital. It is underpinned by the application of integrated technical, theoretical and historical knowledge of photo imaging and the ability to develop concepts and solutions in response to a brief. Individuals at this level usually operate autonomously, however they may provide some leadership and guidance to others with limited responsibility for the output of others.
 
There are 0 minimum work placement hours required for this unit.
Licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification considerations
Qualification
No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this qualification at the time of publication.
Units of competency in qualification
Some individual units of competency may have their own licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements. Users must check individual units of competency for licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements relevant to that unit.

Schedule
Packaging Rules
Total number of units = Fifteen (15)
- Seven (7) core units plus
- Eight (8) elective units, of which:
- Six (6) elective units must be selected from the electives listed below
- Two (2) elective units may be from the remaining listed electives or any currently endorsed 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.
1. Core units

These units must be completed

State Code National Code Title Hours Type
ODE93 CUAPHI412 Apply photo imaging lighting techniques 100 Unit of competency
ODD27 CUAWHS312 Apply work health and safety practices 20 Unit of competency
ODH82 CUAPHI411 Capture images in response to a brief 60 Unit of competency
ODD58 CUAPHI311 Develop and apply photo imaging industry knowledge 15 Unit of competency
AWH70 CUAPHI403 Enhance, manipulate and output photo images 80 Unit of competency
ODK12 CUAPHI313 Process photo images 110 Unit of competency
AWH29 CUAPPR403 Store and maintain finished creative work 10 Unit of competency
2. Elective units

At least six (6) elective units must be chosen from this group.

State Code National Code Title Hours Type
OCG33 BSBESB305 Address compliance requirements for new business ventures 45 Unit of competency
OCF61 BSBCRT411 Apply critical thinking to work practices 55 Unit of competency
OCF53 BSBMKG440 Apply marketing communication across a convergent industry 65 Unit of competency
OCE59 BSBCRT412 Articulate, present and debate ideas 40 Unit of competency
AWF51 CUADIG401 Author interactive media 50 Unit of competency
OCD91 BSBTWK401 Build and maintain business relationships 45 Unit of competency
ODD25 CUAPHI316 Capture images using drone technology 110 Unit of competency
ODD57 CUAPHI312 Capture photographic images 50 Unit of competency
OCG30 BSBCRT413 Collaborate in creative processes 45 Unit of competency
ODH51 CUARES412 Conduct research 30 Unit of competency
OCE85 BSBMKG437 Create and optimise digital media 45 Unit of competency
ODD65 CUADIG413 Create user interfaces 50 Unit of competency
OCF16 BSBOPS304 Deliver and monitor a service to customers 50 Unit of competency
ODR34 SHBBMUP010 Design and apply make-up for photography 25 Unit of competency
ODF99 CUADIG412 Design user interfaces 50 Unit of competency
OCE81 BSBESB304 Determine resource requirements for new business ventures 25 Unit of competency
OCF54 BSBMKG439 Develop and apply knowledge of communications industry 55 Unit of competency
ODE07 CUAPPR415 Develop and discuss ideas for own creative work 30 Unit of competency
ODE90 CUADES413 Develop and extend design skills and practice 30 Unit of competency
ODH74 CUAMWB401 Develop and implement own self-care plan in the creative industries 45 Unit of competency
OCE25 BSBESB302 Develop and present business proposals 30 Unit of competency
OCF00 BSBPEF402 Develop personal work priorities 35 Unit of competency
AUO45 ICPPRP422 Digitise complex images for reproduction 50 Unit of competency
ODI10 CUAPPR312 Document the creative work progress 20 Unit of competency
ODD84 CUAPOS311 Edit video and audio content for social media 25 Unit of competency
ODE99 CUADES301 Explore the use of colour 40 Unit of competency
OCE13 BSBSUS411 Implement and monitor environmentally sustainable work practices 35 Unit of competency
OAO71 CUACMP311 Implement copyright arrangements 40 Unit of competency
ODF69 CUAACD411 Integrate colour theory and design processes 20 Unit of competency
OAO58 CUAPPR408 Integrate disability access and inclusion 55 Unit of competency
ODE91 CUADES412 Interpret and respond to a design brief 20 Unit of competency
OCF51 BSBESB301 Investigate business opportunities 25 Unit of competency
OBQ44 ICPPRP4300 Manage colour 70 Unit of competency
OAO66 CUACMP511 Manage copyright arrangements 50 Unit of competency
ODG55 CUAMWB402 Manage feedback on creative practice 35 Unit of competency
ODG52 CUAPOS412 Manage media assets 50 Unit of competency
OCE08 BSBPEF401 Manage personal health and wellbeing 55 Unit of competency
OCF48 BSBESB303 Organise finances for new business ventures 50 Unit of competency
OCF03 BSBPEF301 Organise personal work priorities 30 Unit of competency
ODI09 CUAPPR314 Participate in collaborative creative projects 45 Unit of competency
ODF80 CUAIND314 Plan a career in the creative arts industry 34 Unit of competency
BBB53 SIRRMER008 Plan and style merchandise photo shoots 50 Unit of competency
OEF32 CUAMWB403 Prepare to work with confronting material and processes in the creative industries 55 Unit of competency
ODD55 CUAPHI314 Process colour materials in a wet darkroom context 60 Unit of competency
AWF52 CUADIG303 Produce and prepare photo images 60 Unit of competency
ODJ23 CUADIG415 Produce innovative digital images 60 Unit of competency
ODG53 CUADIG416 Produce innovative video art 60 Unit of competency
OCD38 BSBSTR401 Promote innovation in team environments 35 Unit of competency
OCD47 BSBMKG434 Promote products and services 35 Unit of competency
ODE19 CUAIND412 Provide freelance services 30 Unit of competency
AWG99 CUARES403 Research history and theory to inform own arts practice 60 Unit of competency
OBQ46 ICPPRP4840 Set up and operate automated workflow 60 Unit of competency
ODH94 CUACAM411 Shoot different screen content 70 Unit of competency
ODE96 CUADES304 Source and apply design industry knowledge 20 Unit of competency
ODE95 CUADES305 Source and apply information on the history and theory of design 65 Unit of competency
OCE84 BSBPMG430 Undertake project work 55 Unit of competency
AWH72 CUAPHI305 Use wet darkroom techniques to produce monochrome photographs 40 Unit of competency
OAO59 CUAIND311 Work effectively in the creative arts industry 50 Unit of competency
Replaces
State Code National Code Title Type
AZM5 CUA41115 Certificate IV in Photography and Photo Imaging Qualification
No information
Entry Requirements
No information
Traineeships and Apprenticeships
No information