Contact The Photography Institute

The Photography Institute, Australia

4407/4 Daydream Street
Warriewood NSW 2102
RTO Code: 45423

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

For answers to our most commonly asked questions, read our FAQs.

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International locations

We offer our courses in over 30 countries around the world.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How long do I have to complete the course?

The courses are designed to be self-paced. For the Certificate Course, you would expect to be dedicating on average about 6-8 hours per week for 24 weeks. For the Diploma Course, you would expect to dedicate, as per AQF standards, approximately 16 hours per week of structured and non-structured training over an 18 month period. Students studying the Certificate Course are provided up to 12 months to complete their studies. Students studying the Diploma Course are provided up to 18 months to complete their studies.

How do I communicate with my tutor?

You can contact your tutor at any time through our secure student site, which you will gain access to once you enrol. Your tutor's role is to assess your assignments and provide you with feedback. They are also available to answer any questions you may have about the course.

Do I have to attend any classes?

The courses are completed online. This means there are no classes to attend. You can study in your own time and at your own pace.

Do I have to have a background in photography?

No. The courses are designed to allow for students who have had little or no experience in photography.

When can I start?

As the courses are provided online, you have the flexibility to start when and where suits you. If you enrolled today, for example, you could start straight away.

What computer do I need?

Our course is compatible with both PC and Mac devices.

What if I need more time?

If you need more time, you can purchase one of our affordable extensions. We currently offer 3, 6 and 12 month extensions. Alternatively, you can purchase an Advanced Module, which will come with a 6 month extension.

Will I be able to chat with other students?

Yes. We have a dedicated student Facebook group. This group allows you to connect with other like-minded photographers where you can discuss your assignments, the course and all things creative.

Does the course include the Advanced Modules?

No. When you purchase our course, the Advanced Modules will not be included. Our Advanced Modules are short courses and are optional for those who wish to further their studies. They will be available to purchase for students who are enrolled in our course and have completed the first two modules. They are comprised of one module and one assignment and you are mentored by a specialist in the topic selected.

Can I purchase the Advanced Modules as a stand-alone course?

No. Unfortunately, we do not offer our Advanced Modules to the public. Only students enrolled in our course can purchase them.

Do you mail any course notes or materials out?

Our courses are delivered online and all information is provided digitally. As soon as you enrol, you will gain access to our online student site. You can download the course materials as you proceed through each module. As the modules are provided in PDF format you can keep them for future reference and print if you wish. The only time we mail something out is when you successfully graduate our course.

Are credit transfers available?

Yes. We offer a credit transfer to any applicant who provides suitable evidence that they have successfully completed a unit of competency at any Registered Training Organisation (RTO).

What equipment do I need?

All you need for the Certificate course is a camera. A Digital SLR or Mirrorless (CSC) camera is best; but certainly not essential. We also recommend a recent version of Adobe Photoshop. However, you may use other photo editing programs.

To complete the first assignment of the Diploma course, you will require access to the following:

  • A 35mm DSLR or Mirrorless (CSC) equivalent that has detachable lenses and can have accessories attached to it.
  • Lenses with 50mm focal length, or a zoom lens with 50mm zoom range for your sensor size.
  • A computer that is capable of running Adobe Software with a minimum of 16GBs of RAM.
  • Adobe Creative Cloud - Photographer’s package or stand-alone Lightroom and Photoshop programs.
  • Adobe Spark (Free with Creative Cloud).

To see a list of what is required to complete the entire Diploma course, please click here and view the EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS section.

Our courses are compatible with both PC and MAC computers, tablet and smartphone devices.