Accredited courses from leading Australian universities, TAFEs and colleges
Australia offers 55 online design courses courses in 2026, ranging from Short Courses to Graduate Certificate. You can study online design courses fully online or on-campus through registered RTOs, TAFEs, and universities. Courses typically take 1 month to 6 years to complete. Graduates commonly move into roles such as Brand Identity Designer, Design Coordinator, Digital Designer or Fashion Designer across agencies, studios and in-house teams.


Displaying 20 of 20 courses
Online design courses are structured programs that teach visual communication, branding, digital design, fashion and related skills through web-based learning. In Australia, options span Short Courses, Certificates, Diplomas and up to Graduate Certificate level across about 55 programs. Students often learn software such as Adobe Creative Cloud, user experience principles and design thinking. Many study part-time while working or caring for family.
Certificate III or IV design courses commonly take around 6–12 months, while Diplomas and Advanced Diplomas are usually 12–24 months. Bachelor-level design degrees can run for 3–4 years full-time, and a Graduate Certificate may take 6–12 months. Overall, Australian design qualifications typically range from 1 month short courses to programmes lasting up to 6 years when studied part-time.
Yes, many Australian TAFEs, universities and private RTOs deliver design training 100% online, often with recorded lectures, live webinars and digital studios. Some courses also offer blended or on-campus options if you prefer face-to-face learning. Fully online delivery is common for Short Courses, Certificates and many Graduate Certificates. You can compare flexible options on the main Online Courses page.
Course fees vary widely by level, with short online design courses starting from under $1,000 and higher-level Diplomas or degrees reaching $10,000–$30,000+. Public TAFEs may offer state-subsidised places or fee-free options under schemes like fee-free TAFE or JobTrainer in some states. Eligible higher-level students can sometimes access VET Student Loans or FEE-HELP, as outlined on StudyAssist.
Graduates of online design courses can move into roles such as Brand Identity Designer, Design Coordinator, Digital Designer, Fashion Designer or Graphic Designer. Entry-level positions may start as Junior Designer or Design Assistant before progressing to mid-weight roles. A specialised course can also support freelance practice or small business work. To explore one pathway, see the Brand Identity Designer Career guide.