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 working as design assistants, merchandising assistants and specialist production technicians, such as patternmakers and sewing machinists. These individuals support design and production in the apparel and fashion industry. The qualification includes business and design outcomes which build on technical production skills and knowledge to provide a basis for career progression to design, construction and merchandising management roles.
No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this qualification at the time of publication.
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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 |
|---|---|
| Calculate cost estimates for TCF products | Core |
| Interact and network with TCF industry participants | Core |
| Match fabrics to performance and handling requirements | Core |
| Operate computing technology in a TCF workplace | Core |
| Produce technical drawings of garments | Core |
| Quality assure textile products | Core |
| Support sustainable practice in apparel and textile design and production | Core |
| Work safely | Core |
| Analyse consumer behaviour | Elective |
| Analyse TCF merchandising and marketing principles | Elective |
| Apply legal principles in corporation law matters | Elective |
| Assemble and fit bespoke garments | Elective |
| Assemble bras or swimwear | Elective |
| Assess marketing opportunities | Elective |
| Communicate design concepts | Elective |
| Construct stock size blocks for garments | Elective |
| Contribute to development of preliminary garment design concepts | Elective |
| Contribute to garment design refinement and production processes | Elective |
| Create garment patterns for individual sizes from blocks | Elective |
| Create standard-size garment patterns from existing blocks | Elective |
| Cut and sew design prototypes | Elective |
| Determine and perform advanced garment repairs and alterations | Elective |
| Develop patterns using basic patternmaking principles | Elective |
| Develop product specifications for garment designs | Elective |
| Drape fabrics to make patterns | Elective |
| Edit video and audio content for social media | Elective |
| Embellish textile products | Elective |
| Establish legal and risk management requirements of new business ventures | Elective |
| Establish own workspace and systems for home-based production | Elective |
| Forecast international market and business needs | Elective |
| Grade 2D patterns | Elective |
| Implement copyright arrangements | Elective |
| Integrate colour theory and design processes | Elective |
| Investigate applications and performance outcomes of technical textiles | Elective |
| Investigate influences on contemporary garment design and construction | Elective |
| Lay up and cut complicated fabrics and lays | Elective |
| Make markers for complicated fabrics and lays | Elective |
| Measure, lay up and cut bespoke garments | Elective |
| Plan and implement production within a work area | Elective |
| Prepare stencils and screens for textile printing | Elective |
| Press whole garments | Elective |
| Press work | Elective |
| Produce garments using advanced construction techniques | Elective |
| Produce knitted textile samples | Elective |
| Promote products and services | Elective |
| Research international markets | Elective |
| Set and produce digital embroidery | Elective |
| Set up, adjust and maintain industrial sewing machines | Elective |
| Sew garments | Elective |
| Sew materials by machine | Elective |
| Sew stretch knit garments | Elective |
| Source materials and resources for production of TCF designs | Elective |
| Source textile materials and resources | Elective |
| Undertake marketing activities | Elective |
| Use colourisation techniques on fabrics | Elective |
| Use digital design tools | Elective |
| Use garment sizing systems | Elective |
Job prospects
The Certificate IV in Apparel and Fashion sets you up for roles like these, but the skills you learn could take you even further.
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Fashion Designer
ANZSCO 232311
Fashion Designers plan, design and develop clothing, accessories, footwear or other items of personal apparel considering the form and construction of clothing, historical styles and contexts, contemporary and cultural trends, colour, fabric, and decoration, and the techniques and processes available for manufacture.
Recommended education level:
Bachelor degree or higher -
Apparel Cutter
ANZSCO 393211
Apparel Cutters lay out, mark and cut fabric to form parts of garments.
Recommended education level:
Certificate III or IV -
Clothing Patternmaker
ANZSCO 393212
Clothing Patternmakers draw sets of master patterns following sketches, sample articles and design specifications, and cut out patterns for garments.
Recommended education level:
Certificate III or IV -
Dressmaker and Tailor
ANZSCO 393213
Dressmakers or Tailors make, alter and repair women's and men's tailored garments, formal wear, couturier clothing, and special occasion wear such as suits, dresses, coats, evening wear and bridal wear.
Recommended education level:
Certificate III or IV -
Other Clothing Trades Worker
ANZSCO 393299
Other Clothing Trades Workers includes jobs like Milliner.
Recommended education level:
Certificate III or IV -
Production Assistant (Film, Television, Radio or Stage)
ANZSCO 599912
Production Assistants (Film, Television, Radio or Stage) provide technical, administrative and organisational support to producers or directors for film, television, radio or stage productions.
Recommended education level:
Certificate II or III -
Sales Representative (Building and Plumbing Supplies)
ANZSCO 611311
Sales Representatives (Building and Plumbing Supplies) represent their company in selling builders' timber, and building and plumbing hardware and supplies to wholesale and retail establishments.
Recommended education level:
Certificate II or III -
Sales Representative (Business Services)
ANZSCO 611312
Sales Representatives (Business Services) represent their company in selling financial, advertising and other business services.
Recommended education level:
Certificate II or III -
Sales Representative (Motor Vehicle Parts and Accessories)
ANZSCO 611313
Sales Representatives (Motor Vehicle Parts and Accessories) represent their company in selling motor vehicle parts and accessories to wholesale and retail establishments.
Recommended education level:
Certificate II or III -
Sales Representative (Personal and Household Goods)
ANZSCO 611314
Sales Representatives (Personal and Household Goods) represent their company in selling consumer goods, such as toys, sporting goods, books, stationery, hardware, floor coverings, furniture, textiles, clothing, footwear, toiletries and groceries, to wholesale and retail establishments.
Recommended education level:
Certificate II or III -
Other Sales Representative
ANZSCO 611399
Other Sales Representatives includes jobs like Sales Representative (Jewellery and Watches), Sales Representative (Musical Goods), and Sales Representative (Photographic Equipment and Supplies).
Recommended education level:
Certificate II or III -
Sewing Machinist
ANZSCO 711611
Sewing Machinists operate industrial sewing machines to sew and finish garments and soft furnishings such as curtains.
Recommended education level:
Certificate II or III
Training providers delivering Certificate IV in Apparel and Fashion
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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Australia Institute of Business and Technology (RTO code 41138)
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.