How to become a Graphic Designer

Also called: Graphic Artist

Plans, designs, develops and prepares visual content for publication using text, symbols, pictures, colours and layout to achieve commercial and communication needs using traditional and digital tools, with particular emphasis on tailoring the message for the intended audience.

Main tasks

• Consults with clients to determine their graphic design requirements
• Develops and collaborates on design concepts, and presents them to clients for approval
• Selects appropriate colours, images and fonts to enhance the visual appeal of designs
• Creates and manipulates designs for visual elements, such as logos, illustrations and graphics, using traditional and digital tools
• Collaborates with other team members, such as Copywriters and Web Developers, to ensure cohesive design solutions
• Prepares final designs for print or digital publication, reproduction and release

Ways in

• University: Creative Arts & Design degrees, Offered by 38 universities in Australia
• TAFE and VET: Certificate III in Prepress Graphic Design Production (ICP31420); Certificate III in Print Binding, Finishing and Packaging (ICP31320); Certificate IV in Printing and Graphic Arts Management (ICP40120); Diploma of Printing and Graphic Arts Business Management (ICP50120); Advanced Diploma of Creative Product Development (CUA60420); Advanced Diploma of Graphic Design (CUA60320); Certificate III in Design Fundamentals (CUA30720); Certificate II in Printing and Graphic Arts (ICP20120)

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

• Typical full-time pay: $96,200 a year
• About 55,700 people work in this job group now, and about 66,200 are projected by 2035. (+19%)
• AI is likely to change parts of this job. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as medium.

Related jobs

• Animator or Visual Effects Artist
• Illustrator
• Multimedia Designer
• UI / UX Designer
• Web Designer
• Fashion Designer

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Questions people ask

How do I become a Graphic Designer?

Ways in include: Creative Arts & Design degrees; Certificate III in Prepress Graphic Design Production; Certificate III in Print Binding, Finishing and Packaging.

How much does a Graphic Designer earn in Australia?

Median full-time pay is $96,200 a year (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Is a Graphic Designer a growing career in Australia?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 19% by 2035, from about 55,700 to about 66,200 people (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Do you need a degree to become a Graphic Designer?

Not always. 57% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Creative Arts & Design degrees; Certificate III in Prepress Graphic Design Production; Certificate III in Print Binding, Finishing and Packaging.

Will AI change the work of a Graphic Designer?

AI is likely to change parts of this job. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as medium.

Sources

• Jobs and Skills Australia: Occupation data (ANZSCO), from ABS Labour Force and Census (February 2026), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Jobs and Skills Australia: Generative AI Capacity Study, interactive table data (September 2025), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Jobs and Skills Australia: Employment Projections (Victoria University) (May 2025 to May 2035), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Australian Taxation Office: Taxation Statistics, Individuals Table 15A (2023-24), CC BY 2.5 AU, retrieved 2026-10-04

Updated 2026-10-04