Online Study Frequently Asked Questions

Swinburne Open Education courses are delivered online. This means that you will complete your knowledge and initial skills development through online learning. Our nationally recognised diploma and certificate courses are self-paced and can be accessed via a laptop, computer, or mobile. At Swinburne Open Education, we believe in giving you the flexibility to study anytime, from anywhere.

Some courses require practical skills application to achieve competency, through Structured Workplace Learning. This will be called out on relevant course pages.

Swinburne Open Education is an online education provider and all courses are delivered digitally, allowing you to learn anywhere, anytime. 

Our learning platform can be accessed on any device, with natively accessible information, alleviating the need to download presentations and allowing you to focus on learning the content rather than how to use our platform.

Online modules are broken down into topics and subtopics specific to the module. Each module contains a range of learning styles including written text, diagrams, instructional videos and formative activities that provide you with instant feedback and prepares you for summative assessments. 

Learning is supported by regular trainer-led online sessions. At the end of each module and prior to the sequential module, skills and knowledge are evaluated through summative assessments. Assessment consist of online quizzes, assignments and supervised tests. Through our learning platform you will:

• Access your learning materials and assessments

• Undertake and upload assessments

• Engage and interact with your trainer

• Participate in student forums

• Access your assessment grades and feedback

• Access student support services.

More information about learning online with Swinburne Open Education can be found in our Student Handbook.

No, our certificate qualifications are fee-for-service. This gives you the freedom to learn your way, with flexible online learning that fits around your life.

Benefits of fee-for-service:

• Asynchronous, self-paced learning. Balance work, family, social life and study.

• Online, mobile-first learning. Study on your device, your way, anytime, anywhere.

• Backed by the best. Earn an online qualification that's backed by Swinburne University.

• Ability to retake assessments.

• Access to industry-relevant skills, ensuring graduates enter the job market with the skills and knowledge relevant to their chosen field, making them desired candidates for employers.

We have interest-free weekly or fortnightly payment plans available.

You can enrol in our Certificate level courses and start studying, anytime you like. There's no need to wait for a certain date or a new semester to start – just enrol, login, and start learning. Our Diploma level courses have monthly intake dates. You can find out these intake dates on the course page.

Enrolment is easy! Click on the Enrol now link located on any of our course pages, complete the simple online form and one of our enrolment consultants will be in touch to complete the process. If you have questions or would like to talk to a real person, contact one of our Swinburne Open Education enrolment consultants via free call, on 1300 645 289.

Your course will be assessed online through our learning management platform. You will be assigned a specialist assessor for each module who will provide support while you complete your assessment. Assessments are carried out by using a variety of tasks, including:

• Online quizzes, including multiple choice and short answer questions

• Portfolio of evidence

• Written reports

• Case studies

• Video and audio role plays and demonstrations.

Support is offered via scheduled live Q&A sessions, all support sessions are recorded and made available for students to view in their own time. If a student has attended a live Q&A session and still needs additional support, a one on one video chat can be arranged with a trainer.

Course costs can vary depending on the qualification selected. You can choose to pay for certificate level courses in weekly instalments over 12 months, or receive a discount if you pay upfront.

Certificate students If you are less than halfway through your enrolment period and it’s not working out, you can opt-out of the second half and reduce your course fee liability to 50% of the total course fee. Refer to the Student Agreement for full terms and conditions.

Diploma students The enrolment in our Diploma courses is done via Swinburne University of Technology. Diploma courses follow a block payment model that aligns to Vet Student Loan (VSL) requirements. Please refer to Swinburne University of Technology for more information on this.

We understand life doesn’t always go to plan and our online courses are designed to flex around your life. 

Certificate Students work at their own pace to complete the course within the allocated time frame. If additional time is needed to complete the course, students can apply for extensions of up to six additional months (2 x three month extensions).

Diploma students work to a three block study period model. Each study period allows an extension window of up to two months.

Entry requirements differ from course to course. Please refer to specific course pages to see the relevant course requirements.

All students must be 18 years or older and Australian or New Zealand Residents or Citizens.

Our modern online learning platform has been designed so that you can study anywhere, anytime. The minimum software requirements to best use our platform are:

Desktop or Laptop

• Latest version of Chrome or Safari

• Microsoft Office (2010 or higher)

• Adobe PDF Reader.

Mobile or Tablet*

• Latest version of Chrome or Safari

• Latest version of Android

• Latest version of iOS.

* Students using a mobile or tablet will need to upload documents from a Laptop, PC or have a Dropbox account.

Your learning materials are accessed through our learning portal. These include:

• Learning activities

• Rich media including video resources and web links

• Real-time trainer support.

At Swinburne Open Education, we are continuously improving our student services and education offerings. We welcome your feedback. To learn more about our complaints management process, or to make a complaint, visit your Student Hub.

If you are not a student, you can make complaints in writing by emailing studentservices@swinburneopen.edu.au.