VET for Secondary Students
CERTIFICATE III IN DESIGN FUNDAMENTALS
Start early and become a part of our unique learning community while you are still in High School.
COURSE INFORMATION
- Course Level:
- Certificate III (CUA30720)
- Delivery:
- On Campus
- Delivery Year:
- 2027
- Format:
- Term time + holiday blocks
- Who:
- Years 10, 11 or 12
- Location:
- Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane
- Duration:
- 9 Months
- Funding:
- Varies by state and school
VET FOR SECONDARY STUDENTS
Our VET students are curious, creative thinkers who come to Whitehouse from all over Australia. They challenge and inspire each other while learning from an experienced faculty who are practising artists and designers. Start early and become a part of our unique learning community while you are still in High School.
The Certificate III in Design Fundamentals (CUA30720) is offered at Whitehouse for VET for Secondary Students. The course enables you to prepare a professionally presented creative portfolio containing responses to a comprehensive range of design briefs. Join us in Years 10, 11 or 12 to complete your Certificate III, offered in three focus areas of design: Fashion, Interiors or Creative Direction & Styling.
Speak to your High School Careers Advisor/VET Pathways Coordinator and ask about how this program can work for you!
Why study the Certificate III at Whitehouse
A direct pathway to a degree. Successfully complete the course and you're eligible for direct entry into the Bachelor of Design, with no ATAR required.
Credit towards school. 2 units of HSC credit towards Year 11 and 2 towards Year 12 in NSW, and credit towards the VCE and VCAL in Victoria.
96.0% satisfied. In the national VET Student Experience Survey, 96.0% of Whitehouse students were satisfied with their training overall, compared to 81.4% nationally.
COURSE STRUCTURE
Students choose one of three focus areas to apply the design fundamentals: Fashion Visualisation, Interior Visualisation or Creative Direction Visualisation.
All three streams are delivered over a period of 9 months in a combination of term time and holiday block attendance. Students are required to attend all sessions and complete all assessment tasks. All classes are scheduled 9am-5pm unless advised otherwise.
Core units
The core units are shared across all three focus areas:
- CUADES201 - Follow a design process
- CUADES301 - Explore the use of colour
- CUADES302 - Explore and apply the creative design process to 2D forms
- CUADES304 - Source and apply design industry knowledge
- CUAWHS312 - Apply work health and safety practices
- CUAACD311 - Produce drawings to communicate ideas
- CUAPPR311 - Produce creative work (Fashion), or CUADES303 - Explore and apply the creative design process to 3D forms (Interiors and Creative Direction)
Focus areas
Fashion Visualisation
Illustration, conceptual design, garment construction and digital design. Students develop the visual and creative skills they need to translate fashion concepts into garments and an industry relevant portfolio.
Specialist electives
- CUADES303 - Explore and apply the creative design process to 3D forms
- CUAPPR314 - Participate in collaborative creative projects
- MSTAT2006 - Assemble simple textile products
Interior Visualisation
Illustration, model making and 3D computer aided design. Students develop the visual and creative skills needed to translate interior concepts and spatial design into a professional design portfolio.
Specialist electives
- CUAANM313 - Create 3D digital models
- CUAACD313 - Produce technical drawings
- CUAPPR417 - Select and prepare creative work for exhibition
Creative Direction & Styling Visualisation
Specialist electives
- CUADES202 - Evaluate the nature of design in a specific industry context
- CUAACD312 - Produce computer-aided drawings
- CUAPHI302 - Capture photographic images
Common electives
Taken in all three focus areas:
- CUADES305 - Source and apply information on the history and theory of design
- CUADIG304 - Create visual design components (Interior and Creative Direction & Styling students may take ICPPRP3250 - Create graphics using a graphics application instead)
COURSE OUTCOMES
What you'll finish with
When you complete the whole course you'll have:
- A nationally recognised Certificate III in Design Fundamentals (CUA30720)
- A professionally presented portfolio of your work
- In NSW, 2 units of HSC credit towards Year 11 and 2 units towards Year 12
- In Victoria, credit towards the VCE and VCAL at Units 3 and 4 level
- In Queensland, credit towards the QCE
- Eligibility for direct entry into the Bachelor of Design
Schools are asked to verify the amount of credit available for students once VASS enrolments are completed. Where a Units 3 and 4 sequence is available, contribution towards the ATAR is subject to VTAC policy.
“Deciding to study Fashion Design at Whitehouse was the best decision I have made.”
YOUR PATHWAY
Successfully complete this course and you're eligible for direct entry into our globally recognised and competitive Bachelor of Design program, no matter what your ATAR score is.
FEES & FUNDING
NSW students
In NSW the course is funded by the NSW Government. The course tuition fees are fully funded for government / public school applicants, while non-government school students are subsidised. Talk to your school career advisor to learn more.
VIC and QLD students
There is a range of options for the payment of VET for Secondary Students program fees, and these differ from state to state and between school systems. Speak with the VET Coordinator or careers advisor at your school to see if you are eligible for funding - in some cases this may be full funding or partial funding.
HOW TO APPLY
Entry requirements
- Who
- Secondary students: Years 11–12 in NSW, or Years 10–12 in VIC and QLD
- School
- Still attending high school
- How you apply
- Through your school careers advisor or VET coordinator
- Counts towards
- Your HSC (NSW), VCE (VIC) or QCE (QLD)
- Pathway
- Eligible for direct entry into the Bachelor of Design on successful completion, no matter your ATAR
Your careers advisor or VET coordinator can confirm how it works at your school, and our team is happy to talk it through.
Which state is your school in?
NSW students+
HOW TO APPLY: NEW SOUTH WALES STUDENTS
Open to Senior Secondary School Students in Years 11 or 12 who are still attending high school. The course is an NSW-approved school-based traineeship with a Vocational Training Order - Whitehouse delivers the off-the-job component, and it forms part of your HSC. Tuition is fully funded by the NSW Government for government and public school applicants; non-government school students receive a subsidy.
- Read these two documents:Student Handbook - VET for Senior Secondary School (HSC) StudentsCourse Training Assessment Strategy (TAS)
- Review the 2027-2028 Calendar Schedule.
- Discuss your interest with your parent/guardian and your school careers advisor.
- If you'd like to proceed, your school submits an Expression of Interest through EVET (Externally delivered Vocational Education and Training).
- If funding and a place are secured, Whitehouse makes you an offer on EVET, and your careers advisor will ask whether you accept.
- Complete the Whitehouse NSW Students Application for Enrolment Form and email it to study@whitehouse-design.edu.au
- Whitehouse acknowledges receipt and issues a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) to you, your parent/guardian and your school, with all study information provided.
Applying from interstate, or your school has no government funding? You can apply directly outside the NSW EVET system if your parents agree to pay tuition. Email study@whitehouse-design.edu.au or call (02) 9267 8799.
VIC students+
HOW TO APPLY: VICTORIA STUDENTS
Open to secondary students in Years 10, 11 or 12 who are still attending high school.
- Read the Student Handbook - VET for Secondary Students (Melbourne).
- Review the 2027 Calendar Schedule.
- Discuss your potential enrolment with your parent/guardian and your school careers advisor.
- Complete the VIC Enrolment Form, signed by both your parent/guardian and your careers advisor.
- Email the completed form and a copy of your birth certificate to study@whitehouse-design.edu.au
- Confirmation of Enrolment will be sent to you and your school, with study dates and any further requirements.
Payment options vary by state and school system. Ask your VET coordinator or careers advisor whether you qualify for full or partial funding.
QLD students+
HOW TO APPLY: QUEENSLAND STUDENTS
Open to secondary students in Years 10, 11 or 12 who are still attending high school.
- Read the Student Handbook - VET for Secondary Students (Brisbane).
- Review the 2027 Calendar Schedule.
- Discuss your potential enrolment with your parent/guardian and your school careers advisor.
- Complete the QLD Enrolment Form, signed by both your parent/guardian and your careers advisor.
- Email the completed form and a copy of your birth certificate to study@whitehouse-design.edu.au
- Confirmation of Enrolment will be sent to you and your school, with study dates and any further requirements.
Payment options vary by state and school system. Ask your VET coordinator or careers advisor whether you qualify for full or partial funding.
Delivery calendar
2027 academic dates for the VET for Secondary Students program are published for New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland.
FAQS
Does the course have assessments?
Yes, each unit of competency requires students to complete and submit a number of tasks for assessment and feedback.
Does the course count towards the ATAR?
Whilst the course does count towards your high school studies, it does not contribute to the ATAR.
Does the course contribute to my school studying?
Yes, if your school supports the inclusion of the units in your study program upon the successful completion of the whole course students in New South Wales will have four units towards their HSC. For VCE students, these programs will provide credit towards the VCE at Units 3 and 4 level. Schools will need to verify the amount of credit available for students once VASS enrolments are completed. Where a Units 3 and 4 sequence is available contribution towards the ATAR is subject to VTAC policy.
What do I have when I finish the whole course?
A nationally recognised Certificate III in Design Fundamentals (CUA30720), and a professionally presented portfolio of your work.
What if I don't finish the whole course?
If you do not successfully finish the entire course you will receive a Statement of Attainment for the units successfully completed. Depending on what stage you finish at you could also have units towards your HSC, QCE or VCE.
Is attendance monitored?
Yes, as this is a program run as part of your school learning, attendance is monitored and if you are away we will follow up with your parent/guardian. Your school can ask for your attendance records as well as your assessment records.
What happens if I am sick?
It is your responsibility to notify Whitehouse if you are unwell and will not be attending class. Please call your respective campus and notify reception. Medical certificates are required if you are sick for more than one day. Sydney 02 9267 8799, Melbourne 03 9600 3625, Brisbane 07 3188 5258.
Is there a canteen?
Whitehouse does not have a canteen but student kitchens are available at each campus.
How do I get there?
Have a look at the maps on our contact page.
Which materials do I need to bring?
You will be supplied with materials but you also need to bring: glue stick, water container/cup, eraser, masking tape, scissors, paint rag and sharpener.
Student Experience Survey results
Certificate III in Design Fundamentals VET in Schools, national VET Student Experience Survey (Wave 1), Sydney and Melbourne campuses. 96.0% of Whitehouse students said they were satisfied (and 0.0% dissatisfied) with their training overall, compared to 81.4% satisfied and 7.3% dissatisfied nationally. 54.2% of Whitehouse students responded to the survey; the national average was 29.4%. 100% of Whitehouse students said information provided by Whitehouse was accurate, compared to 93.7% of students nationally. 94.9% of Whitehouse students said they intend to complete the qualification, compared to 86.5% of students nationally.
Still have questions? Call 1300 551 433.
NEXT STEPS
Speak with admissions
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You apply with your school's support. Follow the steps for NSW, VIC or QLD on this page.
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