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MST50122 Diploma of Apparel, Fashion and Textiles

National ID
MST50122
WA Course Code
BIY3
CRICOS code
114749G
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Why choose this course?

Ready to step into the vibrant world of fashion and apparel design and production? Unlock your creative potential with this qualification.

Gain specialised technical skills and ignite your creative spark.

Stay ahead with trends, dive into trend forecasting and textiles. Understand the pulse of fashion and be at the forefront of emerging styles.

Work through concept to creation. Develop your fashion illustration and design skills. Bring your designs to life through specification writing, costing, and sustainable product development.

Develop your digital craftsmanship. Embrace cutting-edge technologies in pattern making, CAD grading, and virtual 3D skills.

Learn how to fashion a sustainable future. Blend style with a more conscious and responsible fashion landscape.

Career opportunities may include job roles including Junior designer, Pattern maker, Garment Technologist, Virtual Technology Operator, or Fashion Business Entrepreneur - choose your career pathway.

Career opportunities

  • CAD Operator
  • Pattern Designer
  • Patternmaker

  • An IELTS score (academic) of 6.0 with no band score less than 5.0 or equivalent.

  • Completion of MST31022 Certificate III in Apparel, Fashion and Textiles is required for entry into this course.

​Please view Admission requirements for your country of origin.

Your study options

Semester 1, 2025

At this campus
South Metropolitan TAFE, Bentley Campus has been Perth’s leading fashion design institution for over 40 years. Our staff are fashion design specialists and work with students to create a buzzing study environment that is supportive, collaborative and passionate. Our fashion design and merchandising courses provide students with versatile design and business study skills that get them jobs in a fast-paced, global industry.The campus provides free parking, Computer Aided Design (CAD) patternmaking studios, grading and illustration facilities, world class fashion design and textile forecasting resources, and over 80 specialised industrial sewing machines. The staff are fashion industry specialists and our courses include “live work” design projects where you will be involved in external design exhibits and Perth fashion shows, meeting guest lecturers and industry excursions.
Duration | 2 semesters
When | Semester 1, 2025
Where | South Metropolitan TAFE (52787)

Location map

How | On campus and simulated work environment, to a minimum of 20 contact hours per week
Fees (total indicative for course)
  • Tuition fee: $12,480
  • Resources fee: $1,200
  • Materials fee: $1,500

Tuition fees are reviewed annually. If tuition fees are increased, you will be required to pay the new fees as they are introduced. You will be provided with an indicative schedule of fees in your Letter of Offer.

Resource fees are for consumables you use in your course e.g. paint, internet etc. You pay this fee to your college at enrolment. If your course goes longer than one semester, the resource fee may not need to be paid in one amount but may be spaced out over the duration of your course. Your college will advise you of the payment amount each semester.

Material fees are for items that remain your property after the course has been completed e.g. personal protective equipment, tools, text books etc. You pay this fee to your college at enrolment.

Work placement

There is no work placement requirement for this course, however students train in a simulated work environment over a specified period of time which allows them to demonstrate and practice key skills within a range of different work environments.

To achieve this qualification, students must demonstrate competency in 25 units. These 25 are comprised of 9 core units and 16 elective units. Elective units listed below have been selected in consultation with industry.

Students who enrol into this qualification will be eligible for credit transfer of the units that they have already achieved. Fees paid by international students are set on a commercial basis and are paid as a whole of course fee - no refund will apply to credit transfers. Please refer to your letter of Offer for detailed duration and costings for your enrolment.

Core units
    National ID
    Unit title
  • MSTAT5001 Develop and present design concepts in response to a brief
  • MSTFD4022 Source materials and resources for production of TCF designs
  • MSTFD5027 Cost production of fashion and textile designs
  • MSTGN3018 Support sustainable practice in apparel and textile design and production
  • MSTGN4023 Interact and network with TCF industry participants
  • MSTGN4024 Quality assure textile products
  • MSTGN4025 Use digital design tools
  • MSTGN5017 Assess impacts of emerging industry innovations and practices
  • MSTGN5018 Research and analyse textile materials
Elective units
    National ID
    Unit title
  • CUAACD411 Integrate colour theory and design processes
  • CUAPPR515 Establish and maintain safe creative practice
  • CUATEX501 Refine techniques for textile work
  • MSTAT3002 Develop patterns using basic patternmaking principles
  • MSTAT3005 Sew garments
  • MSTAT4008 Create standard-size garment patterns from existing blocks
  • MSTAT4009 Grade 2D patterns
  • MSTAT4011 Drape fabrics to make patterns
  • MSTAT4016 Cut and sew design prototypes
  • MSTAT5002 Progress garment design concepts to production
  • MSTAT5003 Produce garment illustrations
  • MSTAT5004 Manipulate fabrics to create new finishes
  • MSTAT5011 Develop standard-size patterns from existing blocks for garments with advanced styling
  • MSTAT5014 Conduct digital patternmaking and grading
  • MSTFD5025 Analyse influences on contemporary fashion designs
  • MSTGN5013 Prepare technical workplace documentation

Assessment methods

The methods of assessment used in this course include written questions, practical demonstration of skills including construction of garments, components, patterns and artwork, practical assessments in a simulated work environment, projects such as external competitions and assignments aligned to ‘live work’ activities and preparing reports. 

These assessment strategies and evidence gathering are in accordance with the relevant training package or accreditation guidelines. Detailed Information is available in the assessment matrix, learning plans and assessment tools for each of the units of competency. Assessors use the matrix to ensure assessments, are undertaken across the duration of the course, rather than clustered together at particular times.

Learning resources, facilities and equipment

The following learning resources, facilities and equipment are available at each campus so that you can achieve the skill and knowledge requirements of this course.

Learning resources may include access to a simulated garment production environment, Blackboard, workbooks, PowerPoint presentations, handouts, library, subscription to WGSN international forecasting resource and design lines retail shop which exposes you to various materials and notions.

Facilities and equipment may include access to manufacturing studios with machinery positioned in a simulated factory arrangement such as straight sewers, cover stitch, over lockers, blind hemmers etc., cutting room with purpose built tables and cutting equipment, pattern making studio, textile room, design studio, CAD studio with industry specific CAD Gerber grading equipment including cardboard plotter, digitising tables, pattern marker printer, a photographic studio to assist in the preparation of Look Books and Line Sheets and the South Metropolitan TAFE library.

Key dates

Semester and holiday dates are included in your Letter of Offer. View upcoming semester start and end dates.

Semester 1, 2026

At this campus
South Metropolitan TAFE, Bentley Campus has been Perth’s leading fashion design institution for over 40 years. Our staff are fashion design specialists and work with students to create a buzzing study environment that is supportive, collaborative and passionate. Our fashion design and merchandising courses provide students with versatile design and business study skills that get them jobs in a fast-paced, global industry.The campus provides free parking, Computer Aided Design (CAD) patternmaking studios, grading and illustration facilities, world class fashion design and textile forecasting resources, and over 80 specialised industrial sewing machines. The staff are fashion industry specialists and our courses include “live work” design projects where you will be involved in external design exhibits and Perth fashion shows, meeting guest lecturers and industry excursions.
Duration | 2 semesters
When | Semester 1, 2026
Where | South Metropolitan TAFE (52787)

Location map

How | On campus and simulated work environment, to a minimum of 20 contact hours per week
Fees (total indicative for course)
  • Tuition fee: $12,480
  • Resources fee: $1,200
  • Materials fee: $1,500

Tuition fees are reviewed annually. If tuition fees are increased, you will be required to pay the new fees as they are introduced. You will be provided with an indicative schedule of fees in your Letter of Offer.

Resource fees are for consumables you use in your course e.g. paint, internet etc. You pay this fee to your college at enrolment. If your course goes longer than one semester, the resource fee may not need to be paid in one amount but may be spaced out over the duration of your course. Your college will advise you of the payment amount each semester.

Material fees are for items that remain your property after the course has been completed e.g. personal protective equipment, tools, text books etc. You pay this fee to your college at enrolment.

Work placement

There is no work placement requirement for this course, however students train in a simulated work environment over a specified period of time which allows them to demonstrate and practice key skills within a range of different work environments.

To achieve this qualification, students must demonstrate competency in 25 units. These 25 are comprised of 9 core units and 16 elective units. Elective units listed below have been selected in consultation with industry.

Students who enrol into this qualification will be eligible for credit transfer of the units that they have already achieved. Fees paid by international students are set on a commercial basis and are paid as a whole of course fee - no refund will apply to credit transfers. Please refer to your letter of Offer for detailed duration and costings for your enrolment.

Core units
    National ID
    Unit title
  • MSTAT5001 Develop and present design concepts in response to a brief
  • MSTFD4022 Source materials and resources for production of TCF designs
  • MSTFD5027 Cost production of fashion and textile designs
  • MSTGN3018 Support sustainable practice in apparel and textile design and production
  • MSTGN4023 Interact and network with TCF industry participants
  • MSTGN4024 Quality assure textile products
  • MSTGN4025 Use digital design tools
  • MSTGN5017 Assess impacts of emerging industry innovations and practices
  • MSTGN5018 Research and analyse textile materials
Elective units
    National ID
    Unit title
  • CUAACD411 Integrate colour theory and design processes
  • CUAPPR515 Establish and maintain safe creative practice
  • CUATEX501 Refine techniques for textile work
  • MSTAT3002 Develop patterns using basic patternmaking principles
  • MSTAT3005 Sew garments
  • MSTAT4008 Create standard-size garment patterns from existing blocks
  • MSTAT4009 Grade 2D patterns
  • MSTAT4011 Drape fabrics to make patterns
  • MSTAT4016 Cut and sew design prototypes
  • MSTAT5002 Progress garment design concepts to production
  • MSTAT5003 Produce garment illustrations
  • MSTAT5004 Manipulate fabrics to create new finishes
  • MSTAT5011 Develop standard-size patterns from existing blocks for garments with advanced styling
  • MSTAT5014 Conduct digital patternmaking and grading
  • MSTFD5025 Analyse influences on contemporary fashion designs
  • MSTGN5013 Prepare technical workplace documentation

Assessment methods

The methods of assessment used in this course include written questions, practical demonstration of skills including construction of garments, components, patterns and artwork, practical assessments in a simulated work environment, projects such as external competitions and assignments aligned to ‘live work’ activities and preparing reports. 

These assessment strategies and evidence gathering are in accordance with the relevant training package or accreditation guidelines. Detailed Information is available in the assessment matrix, learning plans and assessment tools for each of the units of competency. Assessors use the matrix to ensure assessments, are undertaken across the duration of the course, rather than clustered together at particular times.

Learning resources, facilities and equipment

The following learning resources, facilities and equipment are available at each campus so that you can achieve the skill and knowledge requirements of this course.

Learning resources may include access to a simulated garment production environment, Blackboard, workbooks, PowerPoint presentations, handouts, library, subscription to WGSN international forecasting resource and design lines retail shop which exposes you to various materials and notions.

Facilities and equipment may include access to manufacturing studios with machinery positioned in a simulated factory arrangement such as straight sewers, cover stitch, over lockers, blind hemmers etc., cutting room with purpose built tables and cutting equipment, pattern making studio, textile room, design studio, CAD studio with industry specific CAD Gerber grading equipment including cardboard plotter, digitising tables, pattern marker printer, a photographic studio to assist in the preparation of Look Books and Line Sheets and the South Metropolitan TAFE library.

Key dates

Semester and holiday dates are included in your Letter of Offer. View upcoming semester start and end dates.

There may be further semester intakes available for enrolment. You can view any further intakes when you submit your online application(opens in a new tab).

For information about pathways from TAFE to university, view our Pathways to university page.

How to apply

Apply to study at TAFE in six steps:

  1. find a course;
  2. check entry requirements;
  3. submit an application;
  4. accept your offer and pay;
  5. apply for your student visa; and
  6. receive your visa and come to Australia for your studies.

View our TAFE application process page for detailed advice

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TAFE International Western Australia (TIWA) is the Registered Training Organisation (RTO) and Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS) provider, for the delivery of training to international students, enrolled in a TAFE course in Western Australia. This nationally recognised course is delivered by a Western Australian TAFE college on TIWA's behalf. TIWA retains responsibility for the quality of the training and assessment delivered by the TAFE colleges and for the issue of certification documentation to students.

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Last updated on January 17, 2024