Graphic Designer

A Graphic Designer creates visual material for use by their organisation or for outside clients. You’ll use a range of design software to prepare work to be used in printed form or online. Graphic Designers liaise with clients on colours, text, images and layout and will prepare materials according to a design brief. You might tailor your work for a particular audience or for the general public.

To be a Graphic Designer you’ll need to be highly creative and have excellent attention to detail. It’s important that you can follow directions and communicate well with clients and team members. You’ll often be working to a deadline so time management is crucial. Graphic Designers need to be organised because they’ll usually be working on several projects at one time.

Future demand High
Average yearly income $74,880
Skill level Advanced

How do I become a graphic designer?

All skill levels Beginner Experienced
Recommended
CUA50720

Diploma of Graphic Design
Blended, On Campus, Online
12 - 24 months
$0 - $18,852
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Brand Designer Art Director Graphic Designer
Visual Designer UI Designer Creative Designer Signwriter Screen Printer Online Content Creator Multimedia Artist 2D Designer Motion Designer Publishing Coordinator Design Coordinator UX Developer Exhibition Designer Packaging Designer
+ 14 more

Graphic Design: Elevate
Online
6 months
Unavailable
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Graphic Designer Visual Designer Digital Designer
Vehicle Wrapper
+ 1 more
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Graphic Designer Visual Designer Digital Designer Vehicle Wrapper + 1 more

Visual Design: Transform
Online
12 months
$9,999
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Graphic Designer Visual Designer Digital Designer
Interaction Designer Website Designer Brand Designer Creative Designer
+ 4 more
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Graphic Designer Visual Designer Digital Designer Interaction Designer Website Designer Brand Designer Creative Designer + 4 more
CUA60320

Advanced Diploma of Graphic Design
Blended, On Campus
6 - 17 months
$0 - $15,576
  • Evidence of relevant skills, knowledge and employment experience
Additional requirements may apply.
Brand Designer Art Director Graphic Designer
Visual Designer UI Designer
+ 2 more
  • Evidence of relevant skills, knowledge and employment experience
Additional requirements may apply.
Brand Designer Art Director Graphic Designer Visual Designer UI Designer + 2 more
CUA40720

Certificate IV in Design
Blended, On Campus, Online, Traineeship
6 - 14 months
$0 - $13,093
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Graphic Designer Fashion Merchandiser Digital Designer
Illustrator Creative Designer Jewellery Designer 2D Designer
+ 4 more
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Graphic Designer Fashion Merchandiser Digital Designer Illustrator Creative Designer Jewellery Designer 2D Designer + 4 more
CUA40720

Certificate IV in Design (Graphic Design)
On Campus
12 months
$4,188
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Graphic Designer Signwriter
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Graphic Designer Signwriter
ICT50220

Diploma of Information Technology (Game Art and Design)
Blended, On Campus
12 months
Unavailable
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Digital Animator Graphic Designer Game Tester
Level Designer Environment Artist Game Producer Lead Artist
+ 4 more
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Digital Animator Graphic Designer Game Tester Level Designer Environment Artist Game Producer Lead Artist + 4 more

Bachelor of Design (Visual Communication)
On Campus
3 - 4 years
$28,200 - $123,840
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Graphic Designer Illustrator Information Designer
Motion Graphics Designer Interior Stylist Colour Consultant Magazine Stylist Production Designer
+ 5 more
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Graphic Designer Illustrator Information Designer Motion Graphics Designer Interior Stylist Colour Consultant Magazine Stylist Production Designer + 5 more

Bachelor of Design (Communication Design)
On Campus
3 years
Unavailable
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Graphic Designer Interaction Designer Visual Communication Designer
Interior Stylist
+ 1 more
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Graphic Designer Interaction Designer Visual Communication Designer Interior Stylist + 1 more
*Showing course fees for all providers. Some providers may not be available in your area.

Related occupations

Art Director

An Art Director oversees an organisation's visual representation, collaborating with designers to ensure cohesive print and online materials.

Avg yearly income $93,600
Skill level Advanced

Visual Designer

A Visual Designer manages a brand's visual identity by collaborating with marketing and design teams to create consistent and appealing materials.

Avg yearly income $69,992
Skill level Advanced

Product Designer

A Product Designer develops innovative products by collaborating with clients, creating designs, and managing projects while demonstrating strong creativity and problem-solving skills.

Avg yearly income $109,200
Skill level Beginner

Common questions

How much does a Graphic Designer earn?

In Australia, a full time Graphic Designer generally earns $1,440 per week ($74,880 annual salary) before tax. This is a median figure for full-time employees and should be considered a guide only. As you gain more experience you can expect a potentially higher salary than people who are new to the industry.

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Courses.com.au Team Industry expert

What are the job opportunities for a Graphic Designer?

The number of people working as a Graphic Designer has remained stable in recent years. There are currently 26,100 people in this role in Australia compared to 25,500 five years ago. Graphic Designers may find work across all regions of Australia.

Source: Australian Government Labour Market Insights

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Courses.com.au Team Industry expert

How do I become a Graphic Designer?

To become a Graphic Designer, consider enrolling in a Diploma of Graphic Design. This course covers creating and manipulating graphics and producing graphic designs for 2D and 3D applications. If you want to take your studies further you could also consider an Advanced Diploma of Graphic Design which looks at graphic design software, working with design briefs and preparing project work.

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Courses.com.au Team Industry expert

Further reading

Most popular design courses

30th May 2022)

How to become a multimedia designer

4th November 2019)

How to start a Career in Human-Centred Design

21st October 2024)

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