Qualification Outline
22/07/2026 6:00 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.
Diploma of Visual Arts
Diploma of Visual Arts
CUA51125
BOG7
Current
Approved
National Endorsed, State Implementation and Classification
Releases
| Release Version | Release Date | TGA Status | DTWD Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.00 | 13/08/2025 | Current | Approved |
Description
This qualification reflects the role of individuals who combine specialised technical, creative and conceptual skills to plan and realise a body of work in one or more art forms. Mediums may include ceramics, drawing and illustration, painting, photomedia, printmaking, public art, sculpture, textile design, wood design, digital art and glasswork. Visual artists may work in their own practice, or in a wide range of contexts across the arts, government, community or commercial organisations.
Practice at this level is underpinned by application of arts theory and history and the ability to critically analyse and synthesise information from a range of sources. Discourse around complex ideas is also required. The job roles that relate to this qualification may include Printmaker, Photographer, Illustrator, Visual Artist, Ceramic Artist, Painter, Public Artist, Sculptor, Textile Designer, Woodwork Designer, Digital Artist, Glasswork Artist, Arts Practitioner. It also provides a pathway to other visual arts, craft and design job roles.
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)- Five (5) core units plus
- Ten (10) elective units, of which
- Six (6) elective units must be selected from Group A and/or Group C
- Two (2) elective units must be selected from Group B
- Two (2) elective unit may be selected 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.
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.
- Ceramics
- Digital Art
- Drawing
- Glasswork
- Jewellery
- Painting
- Photography
- Printmaking
- Public Art
- Sculpture
- Textiles
- Woodworking
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:
- CUA51125 Diploma of Visual Arts (Ceramics)
- CUA51125 Diploma of Visual Arts (Digital Art)
- CUA51125 Diploma of Visual Arts (Drawing)
- CUA51125 Diploma of Visual Arts (Glasswork)
- CUA51125 Diploma of Visual Arts (Jewellery)
- CUA51125 Diploma of Visual Arts (Painting)
- CUA51125 Diploma of Visual Arts (Photography)
- CUA51125 Diploma of Visual Arts (Printmaking)
- CUA51125 Diploma of Visual Arts (Public Art)
- CUA51125 Diploma of Visual Arts (Sculpture)
- CUA51125 Diploma of Visual Arts (Textiles)
- CUA51125 Diploma of Visual Arts (Woodworking).
Packaging rules to achieve a specialisation:
Ceramics
- Four (4) Group C elective units must be selected
Digital Art
- Six (6) Group A electives must be selected, and must include CUADIG518 Refine digital art techniques and CUADIG519 Investigate technologies for the creation of digital art.
Drawing
- Six (6) Group A electives must be selected, and must include CUADRA501 Refine drawing techniques and CUADRA502 Investigate drawing materials and processes.
Glasswork
- Six (6) Group A electives must be selected, and must include CUAGLA501 Refine glassworking techniques, CUAGLA502 Investigate glassworking materials and processes, and CUAGLA513 Refine kiln cast glass techniques.
Jewellery
- Six (6) Group A electives must be selected, and must include CUAJWL401 Experiment with techniques to produce jewellery.
Painting
- Six (6) Group A electives must be selected, and must include CUAPAI511 Refine painting techniques and CUAPAI512 Investigate painting materials and processes.
Photography
- Six (6) Group A electives must be selected, and must include CUAPHI531 Apply visual communication theory to photo imaging practice, CUAPHI533 Explore and apply photo lighting techniques, and CUAPHI539 Plan and produce visual art photo images.
Printmaking
- Six (6) Group A electives must be selected, and must include CUAPRI511 Refine printmaking techniques and CUAPRI512 Investigate printmaking materials and processes.
Public Art
- Six (6) Group A electives must be selected, and must include CUAPUA511 Create works of art for public spaces, CUAPPR402 Select sites for creative projects and plan work and BSBPMG539 Manage project governance.
Sculpture
- Six (6) Group A electives must be selected, and must include CUASCU511 Refine sculptural techniques and CUASCU512 Investigate sculptural materials and processes.
Textiles
- Six (6) Group A electives must be selected, and must include CUATEX501 Refine techniques for textile work, CUATEX502 Investigate materials and processes for textile work, and MSTGN2023 Identify and handle fabrics and textiles.
Woodworking
- Six (6) Group A electives must be selected, and must include CUAWOO501 Refine woodworking techniques and CUAWOO502 Investigate woodworking materials and processes.
1. Core units
These units must be completed.
| State Code | National Code | Title | Hours | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ODE02 | CUAPPR512 | Develop sustainability of own professional practice | 45 | Unit of competency |
| ODH64 | CUAPPR515 | Establish and maintain safe creative practice | 25 | Unit of competency |
| ODF34 | CUAPPR513 | Present a body of own creative work | 55 | Unit of competency |
| ODF83 | CUAPPR511 | Realise a body of creative work | 70 | Unit of competency |
| ODI02 | CUAACD531 | Refine drawing and other visual representation tools | 60 | Unit of competency |
2. Elective Units: Group A
At least six (6) elective units must be selected from Group A and/or Group C.
To achieve a specialisation, please refer to the Qualification Packaging Rules.
3. Elective Units: Group B
Up to four (4) elective units can be selected from Group B.
4. Elective Units: Group C
At least six (6) elective units must be selected from Group A and/or Group C.
To achieve a specialisation, please refer to the Qualification Packaging Rules.
| State Code | National Code | Title | Hours | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ODJ20 | CUACER515 | Develop and apply ceramic glazes | 55 | Unit of competency |
| ODG70 | CUACER413 | Experiment with ceramic surface treatments | 45 | Unit of competency |
| ODJ07 | CUACER411 | Experiment with techniques to produce ceramic works | 60 | Unit of competency |
| ODH81 | CUACER412 | Experiment with throwing techniques | 60 | Unit of competency |
| ODD06 | CUACER512 | Investigate ceramic materials and processes | 65 | Unit of competency |
| AWK20 | CUAACD511 | Make moulds and casts | 45 | Unit of competency |
| ODG61 | CUAACD520 | Manage kiln operations | 30 | Unit of competency |
| ODG69 | CUACER511 | Refine ceramics techniques | 55 | Unit of competency |
| ODH53 | CUACER514 | Refine handbuilding techniques | 60 | Unit of competency |
| ODJ26 | CUACER513 | Refine throwing techniques | 60 | Unit of competency |
Replaces
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| BGR9 | CUA51120 | Diploma of Visual Arts | Qualification |
No information
Entry Requirements
Individuals must provide evidence of their technical and organisational skills to conceptualise and create works in selected medium.
Skills and knowledge may have been acquired through experience in creative practice or formal study.
Traineeships and Apprenticeships