Overview
Boost your job prospects by gaining skills to provide professional financial services, with a Diploma of Accounting at Victoria University Polytechnic.
This accounting course will provide you with the training and knowledge necessary for a range of accounting career pathways. During the course, you will become proficient in using accounting software.
Learning from our expert staff, you will gain the skills and confidence to perform a range of accounting duties, including:
- providing financial and business performance information
- managing budgets and forecasts
- preparing financial reports
- providing management accounting information
- preparing income tax returns.
This accounting diploma qualification reflects accounting job roles in financial services and other industries, including:
- tax agents
- accounts payable and accounts receivable officers
- payroll service providers
- employees performing a range of accounting tasks for organisations in a range of industries.
Library & computer facilities
Our campus libraries have photocopying, computing and printing facilities as well as electronic and print resources.
You'll also have access to a rich collection of online resources at any time of the day or night, including:
- databases
- e-learning content for courses
- student email
- student software packages
- social networking tools.
On campus, we make sure that all of our students have access to digital resources. We offer:
- excellent WiFi networks
- more than 4000 computers (PCs and Apple Macs) across our campuses
- a central IT helpdesk for technical help.
Learning advice
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, including Footscray Nicholson. 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.
Work experience at the VU Tax Clinic
During the course you will get experience at the VU Tax Clinic, which offers general services including advice, representation and advocacy to unrepresented tax payers.
This free service gives you practical experience under the supervision of tax practitioners. You will have the opportunity to engage in case work directly relevant to your chosen career in accounting, with guidance from professional accountants.
Need some advice?
Request a call back from one of our experienced VUHQ course advisers to get your questions answered.
Request a call backTAFE resources
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Free TAFE
No tuition fees for eligible students. - Fee subsidies
Careers
Studying accounting at Victoria University Polytechnic will equip you with the skills and knowledge for accounting roles in Australia or overseas. You could gain employment within small, medium and large accounting practices and corporations, the public sector and not-for-profit organisations.
Potential job titles include:
- assistant accountant
- bookkeeper
- accounts payable clerk
- accounts receivable clerk
- budget officer
- audit junior
- payroll officer.
Please refer to the Learning Outcomes section for further information about requirements for registration with the Tax Practitioners Board.
Licensing & regulatory information
This qualification includes units that make up an approved Tax Practitioner Board (TPB) course in Australian taxation law and commercial law. Those seeking registration with the TPB should check current registration requirements with the Board.
Nationally recognised training
This course is nationally recognised training.
Course structure
To be awarded the FNS50222 Diploma of Accounting, 11 units must be completed consisting of:
- 7 core units
- 4 elective units, of which:
- at least 2 must be from the elective units listed in this qualification
- up to 2 may be from any currently endorsed Certificate IV or above training package qualification or accredited course.
Course structure and units
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
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- Unit code
- BSBTEC402
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- Unit code
- FNSACC521
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- Unit code
- FNSACC522
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- Unit code
- FNSACC523
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- Unit code
- FNSACC524
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- Unit code
- FNSACC526
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- Unit code
- FNSACC527
Elective units
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- Unit code
- FNSACC601
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- Unit code
- FNSTPB503
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- Unit code
- FNSTPB504
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- Unit code
- FNSTPB505
Learning outcomes
This qualification reflects professional accounting job roles in financial services and other industries, including tax agents, accounts payable and accounts receivable managers, and employees performing a range of accounting tasks for organisations in a range of industries. The electives chosen in this course are tailored to meet the requirement of the Tax Practitioners Board to enable graduates to gain Tax Agent registration after the required level of industry experience is gained. Individuals in these roles apply solutions to a range of often complex problems and analyse and evaluate information from a variety of sources. They apply initiative to plan, coordinate and evaluate their own work and provide guidance to others within defined guidelines.
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:
- the Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF)
- ways to pay your fees
- important fee dates
- how to apply for a VE/TAFE refund
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 the following units of competency (or equivalent):
- FNSACC321 Process financial transactions and extract interim reports
- FNSACC322 Administer subsidiary accounts and ledgers
- FNSACC418 Work effectively in the accounting and bookkeeping industry
- FNSACC421 Prepare financial reports (this unit is the equivalent version of BSBFIA401 Prepare financial reports).
These competencies may have been achieved through the completion of the following (or their equivalent):
- FNSSS00014 Accounting Principles Skill Set
OR
- FNS40217 or FNS40222 Certificate IV in Accounting and Bookkeeping.
Applicants must also complete to determine suitability:
- Pre-training Review (PTR)
- Literacy and numeracy assessment.
Pathways from VU courses
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.
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
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.
Pathways to further study
On completion of this course you will be guaranteed entry into the following degree and in some cases receive credit for your study:
You will be credited for up to 96 credit points of study.
You will be credited for up to 96 credit points of 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:
- 27 January 2025
- 21 April 2025
- 14 July 2025
- 29 September 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:
- Credit transfer/Recognition of prior learning (RPL): If you have significant experience or studies elsewhere you may be eligible for credit for some units of your course and not have to undertake them.
Apply direct to VU
Direct applications are due on 16 January 2025 for our next intake which starts on 27 January 2025.
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
Please fill out the form below, and we'll get back to you shortly.
Get help
- Visit a student service centre
- 1300 VIC UNI (1300 842 864)
- Request a call back
- Visit the glossary
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.
