This page is updated when information changes, but it's always best to talk to your training provider to confirm course details before you enrol.
Overview
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.
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Financial help
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Government funding is not available for this course.
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Cost
Course costs can vary by provider and location. Ask your training provider for a cost estimate.
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VET Student Loans are not available
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You may need to pay for equipment or materials.
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On-the-job training
- Apprenticeships and traineeships are not available for this course.
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Entry requirements
This course doesn't have any entry requirements. It could be a good starting point for your career.
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Duration
You complete this course when you’ve learned the skills, not after a set amount of time. The times shown are estimates.
- Qualification only:
6 months – 2 years
- Qualification only:
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Delivery options
You may be able to access this training in these ways:
Course content
This course is made up of units.
All courses have core units—these are mandatory for completing the course. Most courses also have elective units, which you can choose from to suit your needs and interests. Not all training providers offer every elective, so check with your provider to find out which electives they can offer you.
For more information about course content, talk to your training provider or visit the National Training Register.
| Unit | Unit type |
|---|---|
| Apply photo imaging lighting techniques | Core |
| Apply work health and safety practices | Core |
| Capture images in response to a brief | Core |
| Develop and apply photo imaging industry knowledge | Core |
| Enhance, manipulate and output photo images | Core |
| Process photo images | Core |
| Store and maintain finished creative work | Core |
| Address compliance requirements for new business ventures | Elective |
| Apply critical thinking to work practices | Elective |
| Apply marketing communication across a convergent industry | Elective |
| Articulate, present and debate ideas | Elective |
| Author interactive media | Elective |
| Build and maintain business relationships | Elective |
| Capture images using drone technology | Elective |
| Capture photographic images | Elective |
| Collaborate in creative processes | Elective |
| Conduct research | Elective |
| Create and optimise digital media | Elective |
| Create user interfaces | Elective |
| Deliver and monitor a service to customers | Elective |
| Design and apply make-up for photography | Elective |
| Design user interfaces | Elective |
| Determine resource requirements for new business ventures | Elective |
| Develop and apply knowledge of communications industry | Elective |
| Develop and discuss ideas for own creative work | Elective |
| Develop and extend design skills and practice | Elective |
| Develop and implement own self-care plan in the creative industries | Elective |
| Develop and present business proposals | Elective |
| Develop personal work priorities | Elective |
| Digitise complex images for reproduction | Elective |
| Document the creative work progress | Elective |
| Edit video and audio content for social media | Elective |
| Explore the use of colour | Elective |
| Implement and monitor environmentally sustainable work practices | Elective |
| Implement copyright arrangements | Elective |
| Integrate colour theory and design processes | Elective |
| Integrate disability access and inclusion | Elective |
| Interpret and respond to a design brief | Elective |
| Investigate business opportunities | Elective |
| Manage colour | Elective |
| Manage copyright arrangements | Elective |
| Manage feedback on creative practice | Elective |
| Manage media assets | Elective |
| Manage personal health and wellbeing | Elective |
| Organise finances for new business ventures | Elective |
| Organise personal work priorities | Elective |
| Participate in collaborative creative projects | Elective |
| Plan a career in the creative arts industry | Elective |
| Plan and style merchandise photo shoots | Elective |
| Prepare to work with confronting material and processes in the creative industries | Elective |
| Process colour materials in a wet darkroom context | Elective |
| Produce and prepare photo images | Elective |
| Produce innovative digital images | Elective |
| Produce innovative video art | Elective |
| Promote innovation in team environments | Elective |
| Promote products and services | Elective |
| Provide freelance services | Elective |
| Research history and theory to inform own arts practice | Elective |
| Set up and operate automated workflow | Elective |
| Shoot different screen content | Elective |
| Source and apply design industry knowledge | Elective |
| Source and apply information on the history and theory of design | Elective |
| Undertake project work | Elective |
| Use wet darkroom techniques to produce monochrome photographs | Elective |
| Work effectively in the creative arts industry | Elective |
Job prospects
The Certificate IV in Photography and Digital Imaging sets you up for roles like these, but the skills you learn could take you even further.
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Photographer
ANZSCO 211311
Take commercial or artistic photographs using digital or analogue camera technologies.
Recommended education level:
Diploma, Advanced Diploma or Associate Degree -
Cinematographer
ANZSCO 212313
Cinematographers plan, direct and coordinate filming to control the quality and style of photography in films or videos.
Recommended education level:
Bachelor degree or higher -
Photographer's Assistant
ANZSCO 399915
Photographer's Assistants assist Photographers in taking and developing photographs.
Recommended education level:
Certificate II or III -
Photographic Developer and Printer
ANZSCO 711411
Photographic Developers and Printers edit and adjust digital images, develop photographic film, and print photographic images from digital media, negatives and positives using computer software, fully automatic equipment and by separate processes.
Recommended education level:
Certificate II or III
Training providers delivering Certificate IV in Photography and Digital Imaging
It's a good idea to research multiple training providers to make sure you're getting the right training for you.
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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE (RTO code 0442)
Contact this provider
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ENTREPRENEUR EDUCATION PTY LTD (RTO code 40952)
Contact this provider
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Open Colleges (RTO code 90796)
Contact this provider
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PSC Creative College (RTO code 0111)
Contact this provider
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The Centre for Creative Photography (RTO code 40029)
Contact this provider
How to enrol in this course
To enrol, choose a training provider that offers this course. You can see provider details on this page.
When you find one that you think suits you, visit their website or contact them directly to confirm details like start dates, fees, funding, delivery locations and delivery options.
The provider will guide you through the enrolment process.
How do apprenticeships and traineeships work?
Apprenticeships and traineeships let you combine hands-on work experience with training. You’ll gain job-ready skills and earn an income while you complete a qualification.
As an apprentice or a trainee, you work with an employer while completing your training. Most of your time is spent learning on the job, with some classroom or online training to support the skills you're developing in the workplace.
For some jobs, you may need to do an apprenticeship or traineeship before you are allowed to work as a qualified tradesperson. For example, you need to do an apprenticeship if you want to work as a licensed electrician.
Find out more about apprenticeships and traineeships.
See more information about the apprenticeship or traineeship you’re interested in pursuing on the Queensland Training Information Service.
How long will this course take?
This course is competency-based training, which means you progress as you demonstrate your skills and knowledge, rather than in a set amount of time.
The duration shown here is an estimate for full-time study based on how long most people take to complete the course. You may finish earlier than other people, or it may take you a bit longer.
If you’ve already completed training or have worked in a relevant area, you could get credits or recognition of prior learning. This can reduce the training you need to complete a qualification, which could reduce the time needed for training.
Duration for apprenticeships and traineeships
Apprenticeships and traineeships take longer than doing the qualification on its own, but you learn valuable hands-on skills.
For some jobs, you may need to do an apprenticeship or traineeship before you are allowed to work as a qualified tradesperson. For example, you need to do an apprenticeship if you want to work as a licensed electrician.
Learn about how courses are delivered
Different courses have different delivery options. Consider your needs when you’re researching courses. Some courses may be delivered entirely online or partially online. Others may be delivered in a classroom.
Some courses, like those delivered through apprenticeships and traineeships, are mostly based in the workplace but with some classroom or online study.
If a certain type of delivery is important to you, talk to your provider before you enrol to make sure they offer that delivery option.
How to reduce the cost of your course
There are lots of ways you can reduce the cost of your course.
- The government could partly or fully cover the cost of your course. See information about financial help and government funding on this page.
- The government also offers funding for some costs related to your course.
- If you’ve already completed training or have worked in a relevant area, you could get a cost credit or recognition of prior learning. This can reduce the training you need to complete a qualification, which could reduce the cost.
Learn about financial help and government funding
The main cost of training is usually the course fees, which vary depending on things like which course and training provider you choose.
You may be able to get your training for free or at a reduced cost, or you could get help with paying for training-related costs. You can also pay for some courses with a VET Student Loan.
Find out more about getting help paying for your training or check if you're eligible.
What are entry requirements?
Some courses have conditions you need to meet before you can enrol in the course. They help make sure you have the right background or skills for the training.
Entry requirements might include a certain education level, skills or knowledge, work status, or experience.