Duration:
1 year full time or longer for part time
Delivery mode:
Face to Face
Location: 
Start date:
2 February 2025
Application due dates:
Applications for this course are currently being accepted.

Overview

Develop skills in setting up and maintaining automated equipment and systems with a Certificate IV in Industrial Automation and Control from Victoria University Polytechnic.

You will learn to select, install, set up, test, fault find, repair and maintain automated equipment associated with circuits and systems.

You will develop skills and knowledge in:

  • fabricating utilities industry components
  • engineering application software
  • solving circuit and path problems
  • understanding codes and specifications
  • implementing environmental and sustainable procedures
  • producing energy sector reports
  • quotations for installation or service jobs
  • sourcing of installation materials
  • computing device assembly
  • configuring basic local area network (LAN)
  • attaching electrical equipment for connection
  • control programs for programmable logic controllers
  • quality control practices
  • safe work practices.

The course also includes the supervision of plant maintenance programs and providing technical advice to process staff.

It is ideal for electricians and non-electricians working in manufacturing and automation environments.

Everything you learn at Victoria University Polytechnic has direct links to the real world. You’ll learn practical skills on special purpose machinery at our Construction Hub, giving you the chance to test out your theoretical knowledge. Learning with us means you’ll get the hands-on learning to be job-ready when you graduate.

You’ll learn from teachers who have valuable industry contacts and the latest industry-standard skills.  You’ll also develop links with industry and professional experience through:

  • industry projects
  • live work
  • industry simulation.

VU’s Learning Hubs are welcoming spaces where you can improve your study and employability skills.

Our students can attend Learning Hubs at one of five VU campuses.

We offer maths, writing, careers and English-language advice, and show you effective ways to study and manage your time.

Our programs include:

  • workshops
  • drop-in sessions
  • peer mentoring
  • maths and writing resources
  • resume and career guidance.

We also have accessibility support services and counselling services available for all students.

Need some advice?

Request a call back from one of our experienced VUHQ course advisers to get your questions answered.

Request a call back

TAFE resources

Campus tour

Attend a trades campus tour and application support session to see where you'll be learning, and find out more about applying to study at VU Polytechnic.

Careers

The engineering and manufacturing industries are some of the largest industries for employment within Australia, and process automation skills are highly sought after. This qualification from Victoria University Polytechnic can help get your foot in the door.

You’ll have the skills to work on automation infrastructure that many businesses and enterprises rely on for daily operations. You’ll be prepared to work as a technician or supervisor in areas such as:

  • manufacturing
  • power generation
  • industrial automation
  • general electrical systems
  • process control
  • chemical, oil and gas refineries and process plants
  • large warehouses with automated distribution systems.

Example job titles include:

  • electrical industrial maintenance (special class electrician)
  • electronic instrument trades worker
  • industrial measurement and control technician
  • systems integrator (design and commission of PLC and SCADA control systems).

Course structure

To be awarded the UEE43220 Certificate IV in Industrial Automation and Control, a total of 1280 weighting points must be completed consisting of:
-
520 Core weighting points
-
760 Elective weighting points

Note: 0 and 220 weighting points can be taken from Group A; and between 0 and 540 weighting points must be taken from Group B; and between 220 and 760 weighting points must be taken from Group C, or all 760 weighting points can be taken from Group C. Up to 220 weighting points of the general elective units Group A, may be selected, with appropriate contextualisation, from any relevant nationally endorsed Training Package or accredited course, provided selected units contribute to the vocational outcome of the qualification. Previously assigned weighting points are listed in the UEE Electrotechnology Training Package Companion Volume Implementation Guide (CVIG), if not listed weighting points will be 10 points, unless directed from the Electrotechnology Industry Reference Committee (IRC).

VU Polytechnic delivers the electives listed in the ‘course structure and units’ below. These electives have been selected based on industry needs, graduate pathways and/or student and teacher feedback. Alternative suitable electives are only available via Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and Credit Transfer (CT).

Core units

Elective units

Group A: Imported and Common Elective Units

Group B: General Elective Units

Group C: General Elective Units

This qualification covers competencies to select, install, set up, test, fault find, repair, maintain and commission systems and devices for measurement and recording of physical/chemical phenomenon and related process control systems.

Fees & scholarships

Fee type for this course: VET

Fee type definitions

The amount you pay for your course depends on whether you’re offered a government subsidised place or a full fee-paying place.

Students who enrol in a:

  • government subsidised place pay subsidised tuition fees (the government contributes the rest), and may be required to pay a Student Services and Amenities Fee along with any material fees
  • full fee-paying place pay the full fee tuition rate (which includes Student Services and Amenities Fee and any material fees).

Calculate your VET course fees.

Find out more about:

Scholarships & assistance

Apply for a scholarship to help with your study costs.

We can help with fee assistance and advice.

Admission & pathways

Meeting the minimum admission requirements does not guarantee you entry into this course. Some courses receive more applications than the number of places available. In this situation we will also assess your education, work and other relevant experience.

If you do not meet the minimum requirements you may be eligible for one of our special admission programs.

Find out more about how to apply for our courses, and our commitment to admissions transparency.

Entry requirements

Prior to commencing this qualification an individual must have completed one the following:
- Year 12, VCE or equivalent
- Certificate II in Electrotechnology Studies
- Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician
Applicants must also complete to determine suitability:
- Pre-training Review (PTR)
- Literacy and numeracy assessment.

There are many ways you can start your education journey at VU. Pathways offer an easy transition between courses at different levels, so that you can start with a certificate and progress right through to postgraduate study.

Find out more about pathways and credits.

Use our credit calculator to find out how much credit you could get towards your course, based on your previous study.

You may be able to complete your qualification sooner through formal recognition of your existing skills. This is known as Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).

To receive RPL, we assess your previous work, education and life experiences against recognised qualifications. Applications for RPL can be made prior to enrolling.

Call us on 1300 TAFE VP (1300 823 387) to discuss RPL options with the course manager.

On completion of this course you will be guaranteed entry into the following degree and in some cases receive credit for your study:

Find out more about our study pathways to VU

How to apply

Prior to enrolment, all applicants will be required to complete a literacy and numeracy assessment to assist with determining eligibility and to identify learning support needs.

Available start dates:

  • 2 February 2025

Before you apply

Before starting your application, please read through the step-by-step VU Polytechnic application process to make sure you have all the necessary documents and information ready to successfully complete your application.

Before applying, you should consider whether you also want to apply for:

Apply direct to VU

Direct applications are due on 8 October 2025 for our next intake which starts on 2 February 2025.

Apply direct to VU


Already a VU student?

If you are already a VU student, apply direct to VU using our Admissions centre to transfer into this course. Remember it’s best to be accepted into your new course before withdrawing from your current one.

After you apply

  • It’s important to check for emails from us (which may go to your spam/junk folder).
  • Complete any requests for information by the given dates, otherwise your application may not be considered

Enquire now – TAFE

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Please note that if changes to this course occur, VU will notify students as soon as possible.

At Victoria University, we aim to display accurate and complete course information online. However, we are unable to guarantee that every course change is currently displayed. You may contact the University directly on +61 3 9919 6100 to confirm the most up-to-date course fees, pathways and credit transfer, recognition of prior learning, admission and enrolment procedures, examinations and services available to our students.