What Qualification Should You Take On? (New Guide)
Certificates, Diplomas and Bachelor degrees can be excellent ways to further your education and development – but how can you decide which qualification will best suit you? And what’s the difference between them all?
Certificate qualifications
Certificates are available in 4 levels – I, II, III and IV. Certificate I is the most basic and Certificate IV is the most advanced. The higher level the Certificate, the more in-depth the content and the longer the duration. There’s also a huge range of Government Funded Courses at Certificate and Diploma level.
Certificate I and Certificate II courses
Some courses will start with a Certificate I short course or a Certificate II and are considered to be entry-level courses; they usually don’t require pre-requisites (or prior knowledge or education).
Certificate I & II courses are ideal places to start if you’re new to studying (or haven’t taken on a course in a long time) or if you need a very basic introduction to a particular field. It’s a great place to begin to get a taste of what an industry has to offer and are very popular among people wishing to upskill to improve their employment opportunities.
A Certificate III is also a great starting point if you want to start a new career or develop skills in a specific area. To gain entry into a Certificate III course, you will usually need to have completed one of these:
Certificate III courses
- A Year 10 School Certificate (or equivalent)
- A Certificate II
- A certain level of work/vocational experience
These requirements will vary depending on the type of course/industry involved. Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is a popular method of gaining entry into a Certificate II if a course has been done before, with the possibility of credit being gained towards the course based on your previous qualifications. In some areas, such as Fitness, a Certificate III is considered to be the entry-level certificate and so no Certificate II exists or is required.
Diploma qualifications
If you’re asking yourself, ‘What’s the difference between a Diploma and a Bachelor Degree?’, you’re not alone. While a Bachelor Degree is a higher level qualification, a Diploma is very valuable to anyone wanting to get a better understanding of the industry, the skills needed in a career and the practices and responsibilities that are needed to be successful in whichever industry you’re looking to pursue a career in.
What’s the difference between a diploma and a degree?
A Diploma or Advanced Diploma is essentially one step up from Certificate IV and involves more in-depth studies and assessments. In some cases, you may need to complete a Certificate IV before you can take on a Diploma. In other cases, you may be able to gain direct entry into a Diploma course.
Diplomas will usually require you to apply your technical and theoretical knowledge in a range of contexts to equip you for work in the ‘real world.’ They usually take around 1-3 years to complete and can be perfect if you want a more focused and involved level of study. Many Diploma courses also have a work placement component, ensuring you have the ability to gain crucial experiences under industry professionals.
A Bachelor’s degree is one of the most popular degrees you can undertake and is most commonly offered through universities. They usually take 3-4 years of full-time study to complete.
Entry into a Bachelor’s degree can be competitive, depending on the field of study, and often requires a high school certificate or extensive work experience. When studying a Bachelor’s Degree, you will usually specialise in one area and work on increasing your education, knowledge and experience in that field.
Bachelor’s degrees are globally recognised and can be mandatory for many jobs in the workforce. Beyond the Bachelor level of study, there are also many further options open to you, including Honours Degrees, Graduate Certificates/Diplomas, Masters of Arts and PhDs/Doctorates.
So, which qualification is right for you?
Lots of factors should be considered in your decision. These key points may help:
Hours of study
It’s important to be realistic about how many hours of study you can take on each week. Can you commit to something like 15-20 hours of study or do you only have room for 2-4 hours?
If you’re short on time, keep in mind that it may be more beneficial to choose a course/qualification that doesn’t demand too many hours per week. Generally speaking, something like a Certificate can also be a little less pressure than a Bachelor’s degree.
Duration of study
Think about how long you want to take to complete your studies. Are you interested in a short 1-month course? Do you only want to study for a year? Or are you willing to commit to 3-6 years of study?
You’ll need to weigh up these questions in relation to your career goals and your desired job/s in future. In most cases, the more hours you put in per week, the faster you will finish the course (for example, a Bachelor of Arts usually takes 3 years of full-time study, but if you only want to study part-time, you’d be looking at a duration of 6 years).
Study method
While most courses in different qualifications are available online, it’s important you determine which is the best for you, especially in terms of your commitments; both work or personal.
Most Diploma and Bachelor Degrees can be lengthy in duration, with most being undertaken on campus. It’s essential you work out what’s the best for you, online or in class as well as assess the blended course options.
Passion!
Just how passionate are you about your chosen area of study? If you’re unsure if a certain field is right for you, it may be more beneficial to start with a short course or a Certificate qualification.
This is a good way to ‘test the waters’ and determine if you enjoy the subject and want to continue with further studies.
Future employment
Consider what job you want to take on in future and what basic qualifications you will need.For instance, if you want to become a Day Care Worker, you will need a Certificate III at a minimum. If you want to get into Human Resources, consider whether a Diploma might increase your chances of employment over a Certificate qualification.
Unsure what sort of career you’d like to go in to? Try out our Career Quiz and discover what you were made for! Whatever your chosen path of study, just remember that you only get out of it what you put in!
Start your search by qualification, study type or subject today!
Browse Results
Graduate Certificate in Management
The Graduate Certificate in Management is an online postgraduate qualification that is designed for newer and ambitious professionals, with entry possible through management experience alone and a study structure that easily accommodates full-time work...
Bachelor of Health Science (Clinical Nutrition)
Clinical nutritionists integrate traditional food wisdom and current scientific evidence to motivate individuals and communities to eat well and live healthier lives. The Bachelor of Health Science (Clinical Nutrition) is supported by a strong underpin...
Bachelor of Health Science (Naturopathy)
Naturopathy is a whole medical system combining theory (philosophy and principles) and practise that uses an array of natural therapies to support healing and maintain health. Naturopaths aim to treat the underlying causes of illness and disease. The c...
Certificate III in Non-Emergency Patient Transport (VIC Only)
Our Promise We are confident in the delivery of our training. On successful completion of the course, graduates will be guaranteed a telephone interview for vacant Patient Transport Officer positions in the Non-Emergency Patient Transport division. So...
Bachelor of Health Science (Acupuncture Therapies)
Acupuncture is a branch of Chinese Medicine that stimulates specific points on the body to regulate the flow of Qi (vital energy) to restore health and balance the functions of the body, mind and spirit. Acupuncture therapies combines Chinese medicine...
Bachelor of Health Science (Chinese Medicine)
Chinese medicine is a whole medical system that seeks to balance the functions of the body, mind and spirit and restore health. It combines theory (philosophies and principles) and practices including acupuncture, moxibustion, medical Qi Gong, Chinese...
Certificate III in Hospitality (Perth Only)
The SIT30622 Certificate III in Hospitality is the perfect qualification for those looking for a career in hospitality including working as barista, bar attendant, waiter/waitress. Whether you imagine working in a restaurant, hotel, motel, funky bar, c...
Bachelor of Applied Health Science (Clinical Aesthetics)
A Higher Education course to identify you as an expert in the exciting and innovative field of Clinical Aesthetics. This Bachelor Degree equips you with an advanced level of knowledge and the skills to combine science with clinical practice, giving you...
Associate Degree in Applied Health Science (Dermal Therapy)
A Higher Education course to identify you as an expert in the dynamic and evolving field of Dermal Therapy. This qualification will help you accelerate your career by giving you a solid foundation in Dermal Therapy and is also your first step towards a...
Diploma of Sustainable Operations
Looking to develop your skills to manage and measure your organisation’s carbon footprint? By studying this course, you will be equipped with the technical and theoretical skills to ensure your organisation is adhering and optimising its sustainability...
Certificate III in Individual Support (Perth Only)
The Certificate III in Individual Support equips students with the skills and knowledge to provide person-centred care to individuals in aged care, disability, or community settings. This course is ideal for those passionate about supporting people to...
Bachelor of Cyber Security (VIC, NSW, QLD and WA Only)
The Bachelor of Cyber Security offered by AIBI Higher Education is a technical course designed to prepare students for entry-level roles leading to an exciting career in Cyber Security. Students will first learn the foundations of information technolog...
Certificate III in Early Childhood Education & Care (Perth Only)
To work in Early Childhood Education and Care you are required to have an Education and Care qualification. With our Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care qualification you will gain skills and knowledge to work in a range of early chil...
Certificate III in Fitness
This exciting course is the fitness industry’s entry-level qualification and it provides a thorough education on the human body, and the best & safest techniques for maximising its potential. With a Certificate III in Fitness you will gain the know...
Complete Personal Trainer Program – Certificates III & IV in Fitness
Our Personal Trainer Program is a combined Certificate III and Certificate IV in Fitness course that is simply the very best way to become a fully qualified personal trainer. NHFA is devoted to excellence in teaching, learning, implementation, and to d...
Certificate IV in Fitness
This course is specifically designed to build on the knowledge and skills gained in a Certificate III in Fitness, and to equip you with a complete understanding of how to train and inspire your own clients to achieve optimum results. You will use a div...
Certificate IV in School Based Education (Mandurah Only)
Enhance your job prospects, by completing the CHC40221 Certificate IV in School Based Education Support, where you will be qualified to work with children with additional needs. This course Is designed for individuals who are either currently working o...
Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing and Disability) (Brisbane Only)
This qualification reflects the role of individuals in community and residential settings, offering person-centred support to those who may require assistance due to ageing, disability, or other circumstances. By completing the nationally accredited CH...
Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing & Disability) (QLD Only)
This Nationally Accredited Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing & Disability), will give you the skills and knowledge to work in the Ageing and Disability care industry and support those who are most vulnerable! Work in one of the most rew...
Certificate III in Carpentry (Melbourne Only)
TIV’s CPC30220 Certificate III in Carpentry Course is known as one of the best in the industry. It’s a hands-on program designed for people who want to begin a career as a carpenter without doing an apprenticeship. This course comprises individual and...
Latest Articles
As one of Australia's most important industries, the agriculture industry offers great career opportunities. Read our career guide and get started today.
Want to read more?
Feeling stuck in your current role? Ready for a change? Find the perfect data analytics course for you and your career goals.
