Diploma of Applied Technologies

Diploma of Applied Technologies - MEM50822

VOCATIONAL

Explore this highly technical field, developing transferable skills that can take you into new and exciting industries. 

Student type:
Learning mode:
On campus
Entry score:

Not applicable

Duration:
Full-time 1 year
Fees:

Fee finder

Next intake:
Not applicable
Location:
Melbourne City

Overview

The Diploma of Applied Technologies blends practical experience with electrical and industrial control applications built on a strong theoretical foundation.

As a student of this diploma, you will achieve competencies in testing, assembly, installation and maintenance of Industry 4.0 and industrial automation control systems.

Why study applied technologies at RMIT?

Industry input

Engineering and manufacturing experts help ensure this diploma is in line with industry expectations.

Expert educators

Learn from professionals and academics who share knowledge, research and experience.

Nationally recognised

Graduate with the proven ability to perform practical skills and demonstrate knowledge at industry standard.

Learn the latest in applied technologies

You will gain skills in operating a wide range of automated equipment and systems, learn to manage risk, develop and manage maintenance programs, and provide technical advice.

You will also develop knowledge and skills in electrical control systems, including programmable logic controllers structured in an industry-based network called Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA), electronic sensors, digital control systems, industrial and computer networks, computer-aided design, computer-aided manufacturing, and software applications.

This training is delivered with Victorian and Commonwealth Government funding.

Please note: this diploma is not available for international students intending to study on a student visa. If you are holding a temporary visa (other than a student visa) and your visa has a full study entitlement, you may be eligible to apply. For more information, see the international students with other temporary (non-student) visas.

Details

This diploma directly aligns with Australian Government initiatives to incorporate Industry 4.0 technologies into manufacturing sector and training opportunities to workforce, where you will use transformative technologies to connect the physical world with the digital world.

Learning and teaching

As a student of this diploma, you will undertake a range of learning activities, including:

  • structured tutorials
  • practical and laboratory exercises based on industry examples
  • work-simulated or industry-related projects
  • face-to-face and online student-centred learning, including team or individual projects
  • hands-on practice
  • written assessments
  • research and presentations.

This nationally recognised qualification is competency-based. It is designed to help you to develop the practical skills and knowledge needed to perform the duties in the job you are training for.

Assessment methods

Assessment is determined by your ability to perform practical skills and demonstrate knowledge at an industry standard. This could involve showing an assessor how you plan and carry out tasks or completing a project and presenting a report on the process and outcomes. If you are working, your work supervisor may provide the assessor with a report on your competency.

Learning at RMIT

The types of classes you have will depend on the course you’re studying. Classes are offered in various formats designed to provide meaningful engagement with staff, industry and peers and provide for access and use of spaces where learning can be applied and active, including an array of specialised equipment.

Most RMIT courses do not include passive large-scale classes such as lectures, instead the content traditionally provided in lectures is made available online. This may be in the form of readings, videos or other on-demand learning materials. This content will also support the basis of interactive learning that takes place in on-campus classes.

RMIT has been in communication and consultation with varied industry partners such as the Australian Industry Group, FESTO, SIEMENS, Memko, SEW Euro Drive, Defence, Telstra, NEC, ADTIA and JRD Communications.

The engineering and manufacturing experts within these companies have helped to develop this diploma so that it is in line with industry expectations and outcomes.

Students in this diploma can expect to commit to 20 hours per week for two semesters, or one day per week part-time for three years, as well as independent study time.

The knowledge and skills you will acquire throughout this diploma and how they can be applied in your career are described in the learning outcomes.

As a student in this diploma, you must complete all 18 units, 7 core subjects and 11 elective subjects.

Core subjects include:

  • Work safely and effectively in manufacturing and engineering
  • Analyse a simple electrical system circuit
  • Commission a cyber-physical system
  • Work in Industry 4.0
  • Analyse and manage data in cloud-based systems
  • Apply mathematical techniques in a manufacturing engineering or related environment
  • Organise and communicate information.

Elective subjects include:

  • Use hand and power tools
  • Perform computations
  • Diagnose faults in digital control systems
  • Apply technical mathematics
  • Integrate manufacturing fundamentals into an engineering task
  • Plan and implement preventative maintenance procedures in an Industry 4.0 manufacturing workplace 
  • Design and implement advanced routing for internet working systems 
  • Apply CAD and CAM technologies in an Industry 4.0 workplace
  • Analyse and problem solve a PLC based industrial control system
  • Use a SCADA system to assist Industry 4.0 operations in manufacturing and engineering
  • Apply networking technology principles for manufacturing and engineering applications.

Course structure

Choose a plan below to find out more about the subjects you will study and the course structure.

Diploma of Applied Technologies
Program code: C5433
National curriculum code: MEM50822

Title
Location
Duration
Plan code
CRICOS
Diploma of Applied Technologies
City Campus
1 year full-time
C5433
Location
City Campus
Duration
1 year full-time
Plan code
C5433
CRICOS

Note: International student visa holders can only study full-time.

Career

After completion of this diploma, graduates may gain employment in roles including:

  • advanced manufacturing technician
  • cyber-physical systems technologist
  • digital technologist
  • Industry 4.0 systems technician
  • Internet of Things data technician.

Entry requirements and admissions

You need to satisfy all of the following academic (entry) requirements to be considered for entry into this course.

Successful completion of the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) (or equivalent)

OR

Successful completion of Certificate IV in Tertiary Preparation (Engineering).

OR

At least 6 months' full-time work experience in a related field as per detailed resume (or part-time equivalent).

There are no prerequisite subjects required for entry into this qualification.

A selection task is not required for entry into this qualification.

You must meet the University's minimum English language requirements to be eligible for a place in this program.

You need to satisfy all of the following requirements to be considered for entry into this degree.

You must have successfully completed a qualification recognised by RMIT as equivalent to the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) with a minimum average of 65% (see calculator below).

Equivalent qualifications may also include completion of the RMIT Foundation Studies program or a recognised post secondary diploma in the relevant discipline with the required grades.

Meeting the minimum academic requirements does not guarantee entry. Your application will still need to be assessed and accepted.

There are no prerequisite subjects required for entry into this qualification.

A selection task is not required for entry into this qualification.

To study this course you will need to complete one of the following English proficiency tests:

  • IELTS (Academic): minimum overall band of 6.5 (with no individual band below 6.0)
  • TOEFL (Internet Based Test - IBT): minimum overall score of 79 (with minimum of 13 in Reading, 12 in Listening, 18 in Speaking and 21 in Writing)
  • Pearson Test of English (Academic) (PTE (A)): minimum score of 58 (with no communication band less than 50)
  • Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE): minimum of 176 with no less than 169 in any component.

For detailed information on English language requirements and other proficiency tests recognised by RMIT, visit English language requirements and equivalency information.

Don't meet the English language test scores? Complete an English for Academic Purposes (EAP) Advanced Plus at RMIT University Pathways (RMIT UP).

Pathways

Animated character in front of RMIT pixel, with a flying degree above their head

Understanding pathways

Undertaking a certificate, diploma, advanced diploma or associate degree can help you meet the entry requirements for your preferred degree. These qualifications often provide credit, reducing the duration of your bachelor degree.

This course offers pathway options. If you don’t meet the entry requirements, a formal pathway might be your way in.

Credit, recognition of prior learning, professional experience and accreditation from a professional body can reduce the duration of your study by acknowledging your earlier, relevant experience.

Credit and exemptions will be assessed consistent with the principles of the RMIT Credit Policy.

Graduates of this course will be guaranteed entry into the courses below.

For more information, explore our Pathway finder, or contact Study@RMIT.

Fees

Tuition fees

The tuition fees you will pay for this program will depend on whether you are offered a Victorian Government subsidised place or a full-fee place. To find out if you are eligible for a government subsidised place, follow the steps at How to check if you are eligible.

  • 2025 government subsidised place: AU$8,750* per annum
  • 2025 full-fee place: AU$11,750* per annum

*Fees shown are indicative only and subject to change given individual circumstances at the time of enrolment.

Fee finder

Use our fee finder to get an estimate of your fees for this program.

Additional expenses

  • Student services and amenities fee (SSAF): AU$365 maximum fee for 2025.
  • Other items related to your program, including field trips, textbooks and equipment.

Annual fee adjustment

The student tuition fees as displayed by the fee finder are indicative only and subject to change given individual circumstances at enrolment. Fees are adjusted on an annual basis and these fees should only be used as a guide.

Eligibility Exemption criteria

**The Victorian Government is currently waiving three (3) eligibility criteria around prior qualifications. This means that more people who want to study a vocational education program at RMIT, and who have studied previously, will be able to access a government subsidised place in a program. Find out how to check your eligibility

Defer your payment

The Australian Government provides financial assistance via the VET Student Loans scheme, which allows eligible students in eligible programs to defer payment of their tuition fees, up to the maximum loan amount for their program.

Payments and refunds

For information on how to pay your fees or how to apply for a refund, please see Paying your fees and applying for refunds.

In addition to tuition fees, you will be charged an annual student services and amenities fee (SSAF), which is used to maintain and enhance services and amenities that improve your experience as an RMIT student.

The SSAF is calculated based on your enrolment load and the maximum fee for 2025 is $365.

You may also be required to purchase other items related to your course, including field trips, textbooks and equipment. These additional fees and expenses vary from course to course.

VET Student Loans

The Australian Government provides financial assistance via the VET Student Loans scheme, which allows eligible students in eligible programs to defer payment of their tuition fees, up to the maximum loan amount for their program.

How does a VET Student Loan work?

If your VET Student Loan application is successful, the Australian Government will pay RMIT your tuition fees on your behalf, up to the maximum loan amount for your program.

Your VET Student Loan becomes part of your VETSL debt. You will start repaying your accumulated VETSL debt to the Australian Government once you earn above the minimum income threshold for repayment, which is adjusted each year (this also applies if you are still studying).

The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) will calculate your compulsory repayment for the year and include this on your income tax notice.

The Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology advises that:

  • VET student loans will not be approved for students who do not meet eligibility requirements; and
  • a VET student loan gives rise to a HELP debt that continues to be a debt due to the Commonwealth until it is repaid.

For more information see VET Student Loans or Study Assist.

VET Student Loan cap

If your program is eligible for the VET Student Loan scheme and has a loan cap that doesn’t cover the total amount of the tuition fees for your program, then you’ll need to pay RMIT the difference by the due date once you exceed the cap.

It’s easy for you to keep track of your VET Student Loan debt, and you can choose to make upfront payments at any time before the census date. 

RMIT awards more than 2000 scholarships every year to recognise academic achievement and assist students from a variety of backgrounds.

In addition to tuition fees you also need to pay for:

You also need to account for your living expenses. Estimate the cost of living in Melbourne.

Student services and amenities fee (SSAF)

In addition to tuition fees, you will be charged an annual student services and amenities fee (SSAF), which is used to maintain and enhance services and amenities that improve your experience as an RMIT student.

The SSAF is calculated based on your enrolment load and the maximum fee for 2025 is $365. 

Find out more details about how fees are calculated and the expected annual increase.

Applying for refunds

Find information on how to apply for a refund as a continuing international student.

RMIT awards more than 2000 scholarships every year to recognise academic achievement and assist students from a variety of backgrounds.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Looking for answers or more general information?

Use our Frequently Asked Questions to learn about the application process and its equity access schemes, find out how to accept or defer your offer or request a leave of absence, discover information about your fees, refunds and scholarships, and explore the various student support and advocacy services, as well as how to find out more about your preferred program, and more.

This course is not available for international students intending to study on a student visa.

Information for international students

Sorry, this course is not available for international students intending to study on a student visa. If you hold a different visa type, you may be eligible. Please contact Study@RMIT for more information.

 

Information for local students

If you are a local student please select 'switch to local' below to view the full course information.

aboriginal flag
torres strait flag

Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Sentient' by Hollie Johnson, Gunaikurnai and Monero Ngarigo.

aboriginal flag
torres strait flag

Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business.