Certificate III in Screen and Media CUA31020
Visual Effects Foundations

The Visual Effects Foundations course is designed to introduce students to the many career opportunities available for creative professionals, post-production artists and film production crews.

Overview

Get into Visual Effects

This hands-on course will give students an understanding of the processes and tools used in the film production, 3D animation and post-production industries. Students will develop a concept, prepare video assets, create storyboards, develop visual effects and perform the compositing, editing and other post-production processes needed to create a short film production based on a brief.

Visual Effects Foundations serves as a valuable bridge to further study in visual effects, postproduction, film production, and 3D animation.

Graduates leave with a portfolio of work, knowledge, and skills useful in many other multimedia and creative industries.

The course introduces students to the fundamentals of visual effects including:

Working safely on film sets
Using cameras, lighting and film equipment
Colour grading
3D Modelling and Texturing
Storyboarding
Editing film footage and sound
Lighting Principles
Rendering

Get Started

Why AIE

What makes AIE different

Practical Skills

Develop the skills demanded by industry making you immediately employable.

Specialists

Learn from experienced industry professionals who have insights and connections.

Equipment

AIE provides state of the art, cutting-edge, game technology.

Start your own studio

AIE is going beyond providing digital media training.

Not for Profit

AIE is the world’s first non-profit specialist games and visual effects educator.

Career Placement

Follow in the footsteps of graduates working on the top games and films worldwide.

Course Information

Course dates and fees

Please see course start dates and associated fees below. Please see this page for more information on ACT Skilled Capital Funding.

** Please note: VET in School students should see their school’s VET Coordinator for fees.

Adelaide

Open

Close

Commencing 8th Feb 2027

9:00 am - 3:30 pm | Mon session

1 x day session per week

VETRO Course delivered ONLINE

2 Semesters (30 weeks)

Fee:$6140

Year 10, 11, 12 fee:$3070

Amount payable | After subsidy

- $850

Amount payable | After rural subsidy

- $650

SACE Points | 60 | Stage 2

Reserve your place

This is a direct entry course, no portfolio or interview is necessary.

Please note: VET in School students should see their school’s VET Coordinator for fees.

Enrol Now

Mentors

Educators with real industry experience

When you learn at AIE, you’re learning from people that know the industry from the inside — because they’ve worked in it.

Kesley Birrell

Credits include:

How to Train Your Dragon

Tom Pugh

Credits include:

Mortal Kombat

Andy Rommie

Andy Romine

Credits include:

Avengers Infinity War

Lars Holmgren

Credits include:

Wicked: For Good

Scott Lissard

Credits include:

Men in Black

Kane Senes

Credits include:

Sissy

Mike Gordon

Credits include:

Love and Monsters

Upcoming Events

Discover more at one of our events

AIE runs campus and online events throughout the year and we encourage students to attend. AIE also broadcast regular livestreams with our alumni and industry professionals that provide insight into future career paths.

Film Production Workshop

October 2, 2026

Learn what it takes to plan and produce a film shoot in this intensive film…

Starts at 10am

See Event

Testimonials

What our graduates say

"I will never forget the amazing time and valuable experience AIE have given me, they really helped me shine to be more than who I thought I was, I am now a Game Designer creating fun innovating games for the future generations"

CEO
Dark Shadow Studios

Casey Thomas

"Game development for many graduates is just a dream. AIE provided me with the skills and knowledge to realise that dream. With such close ties to industry, AIE is a foot in the door to network directly with game companies to help land that elusive job."

TECHNICAL DIRECTOR
League of Geeks

Tom Johnstone

"AIE gave me the opportunities to learn industry relevant skills that made it possible for me to get a job in the industry. The teachers were fantastic and incredibly motivated."

LEAD MODELLER
Scanline VFX (Oscar winning VFX studio)

Damien Lam

"AIE was the best choice I made when deciding my career path, the course structure and the connections I made there is what put me in the position for most of the jobs I've gotten. The teachers go above and beyond for their students!"

CHARACTER ARTIST
SMG studio (indie game studio & creators of death squared)

Kellie Lautier

"What I enjoyed about AIE the most was being taught by people that actually have industry experience. My teachers at AIE really helped me figure out the necessary paths and helped me be the best that I could be when I graduated."

SENIOR ENVIRONMENT ARTIST
Cloud Imperium Games (Creators of Star Citizen)

Josh Van Zuylen

"AIE provided me with the building blocks to take my art career to the next level. I learned about the industry, made connections, mentors and friends, asked questions, and viewed my work as an evolution rather than a destination."

OUTPUT DESIGNER
Funko Inc (creators of funko pops)

Beverly Crock

"AIE gave me the specific tools to learn what I needed to know to get into the games industry. AIE taught me a valuable skillset which I have been able to apply to my career."

LEAD CHARACTER ARTIST
Splash Damage

Ben Davis

"AIE has proved to be an invaluable catalyst for my career. The industry veteran teachers and staff went above and beyond. I would not be anywhere near where I am if it wasn't for my AIE family."

VISUAL EFFECTS ARTIST
Bungie

Vinessa Mayer

Graduate Success

AIE graduates work at the top studio worldwide and have worked on the biggest games and films!

Enrol Now

If you have any questions about the enrolment form or the course you are enrolling in please contact us.

AIE would like to ensure the course you have selected is the most suitable for your needs. We may contact you to discuss your requirements.

AIE’s Student Handbook and Policies can be accessed here

Students wishing to enrol as part of their HSC, VCE, VCAL or SACE

Please note that if you would like to enrol into this course as part of your year 11 and 12 studies, please contact your school’s careers advisor or your local AIE campus for more information.

Do you have a unique student identifier (USI)?

To complete this enrolment form you need to have a Unique Student Identifier (USI). Creating a USI will only take a few minutes and it is free. You only need to create a USI once and it will stay with you for life. After you create your USI, you then need to give it to each training organisation you train with when you enrol.

To create a USI, visit https://www.usi.gov.au/students/create-usi

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Student Information

Name*

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* The names must match the format and spelling of the document used to create your USI

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VSN

The Victorian Student Number (VSN) is issued when the student is first enrolled in a Victorian educational provider and remains current until the student turns 25 years. VSNs are nine-digit numbers that are similar to a tax file number, for example, 982567013.

Obtaining a copy of your VSN

Contact your current high school for a copy of your VSN because they can verify your identity more quickly then we can. If you have left high school, you may obtain a copy of your VSN by emailing the Victorian Student Number operations team at vsr@edumail.vic.gov.au.

Non Australian citizens who will be residing outside Australia should contact the administration office for further information about the USI

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USI

All students doing nationally recognised training need to have a Unique Student Identifier (USI). By creating a USI you establish a secure online record of your nationally recognised training that you can access anytime and anywhere, and it’s yours for life. To create a USI, visit http://www.usi.gov.au/create-your-USI

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Should you require a payment plan then please get in touch with your local AIE campus.

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Specialisations

Qualifications

Not sure where to start?

Certificate III in Screen and Media CUA31020Visual Effects Foundations

Get into Visual Effects

What makes AIE different

Practical Skills

Specialists

Equipment

Start your own studio

Not for Profit

Career Placement

Course dates and fees

Adelaide

Open

Close

Reserve your place