Australian City Design College

What Australian City Design College does

Australian City Design College (ACDC), operated by Melbourne City Institute Pty Ltd, is a private vocational education and training (VET) provider headquartered in Melbourne with a second campus in Adelaide. The college delivers nationally recognized qualifications under the Australian Qualifications Framework across four disciplines: Business (Certificate IV in Business, Diploma of Leadership and Management), Design (Certificate IV in Design), Marketing and Communication (Certificate IV and Diploma), and Screen and Media (Diploma and Advanced Diploma). Both campuses are outfitted with professional live stream studios, on-site photography studios equipped with RØDE microphones and Nikon DSLR cameras, and computer labs loaded with Adobe Creative Suite and AutoDesk Maya; course delivery and student engagement run on the MOODLE learning management system.

ACDC is an RTO (code 45353) and CRICOS provider (03684J), enabling it to enroll international students on Australian student visas. Its primary customer segment is international students seeking Australian qualifications, supported by a secondary domestic cohort. Go-to-market is anchored on a global network of 50+ approved education agents across Brazil, Thailand, Colombia, Turkey, Lithuania, and Australia, supplemented by digital marketing (Google Ads remarketing, social media), open days, and direct enrollment via the website. Revenue is generated from tuition fees (e.g., $19,200 for the 1.5-year Advanced Diploma of Screen and Media), one-time enrollment fees ($300), and compulsory material fees ($800 for the Advanced Diploma). University pathway partnerships with University of South Australia, Southern Cross University, and Torrens University offer credit articulation into bachelors-level programs, and a bundled English-language offering is delivered through City Language Centre.

Name

Australian City Design College

Legal name

Melbourne City Institute Pty Ltd trading as Australian City Design College

Website

https://acdc.edu.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Australian City Design College is a private Australian vocational education provider (RTO 45353, CRICOS 03684J) operating CBD campuses in Melbourne and Adelaide, delivering nationally recognized certificates and diplomas in design, business, marketing, and screen and media, primarily to international students recruited via a global network of approved education agents.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Vocational Education and Training

NAICS

Educational Services (611), Technical and Trade Schools (6115), Business and Secretarial Schools (611410)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Credentialing, Certification Prep & Exam Training (BPACANAJ)

Keywords

• Vocational education training
• Design college courses
• Screen media programs
• Business leadership diplomas
• Marketing communication certificates

Headquarters

HQ city

Melbourne

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Tuition Fees: Core revenue stream from nationally recognized vocational courses including Certificates, Diplomas, and Advanced Diplomas in design, business, marketing, and media. Fees vary by course duration and level.
2. Enrollment Fees: One-time enrollment fee charged when a student accepts their place and signs the student agreement, in addition to the first tuition installment.
3. Material Fees: Compulsory material fees charged for course materials and resources, such as $800 for Advanced Diploma of Screen and Media.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

ACDC is a government-registered private vocational education and training college delivering nationally recognized Certificate IV, Diploma, and Advanced Diploma qualifications in Design, Business, Marketing and Communication, and Screen and Media. Courses are delivered primarily on-campus at Melbourne and Adelaide CBD campuses, supplemented with online components and English language support via the City Language Centre partnership.

Product overview

Australian City Design College (ACDC) is a vocational education and training (VET) provider offering a portfolio of nationally recognized qualifications under the Australian Qualifications Framework. The core offering consists of certificate and diploma-level courses across four discipline areas: Business (Certificate IV in Business, Diploma of Leadership and Management), Design (Certificate IV in Design), Marketing and Communication (Certificate IV, Diploma), and Screen and Media (Diploma, Advanced Diploma). The college operates a unit-based course structure where students progress from Certificate IV to Diploma to Advanced Diploma in their chosen field. Supplementary offerings include English language courses delivered through a partnership with City Language Centre, and short professional development courses in design software tools (Adobe Creative Suite, AutoDesk Maya) and hospitality (Bartending). The college operates campuses in Melbourne CBD and Adelaide CBD with facilities including live stream studios, photography studios, and computer labs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• City Language Centre: English language courses partner offering Australian Lifestyle English, General English, IELTS Preparation, and English for Academic Purposes through partnership with ACDC.

Products and services

• BSB40120 Certificate IV in Business A nationally recognized vocational qualification providing foundational skills and knowledge in business operations, administration, and workplace practices for students seeking entry into business roles.
• CUA40720 Certificate IV in Design A nationally recognized vocational qualification introducing design principles and creative skills for various design disciplines including advertising, animation, industrial design, interior design, website and app design, and furniture design.
• BSB40820 Certificate IV in Marketing and Communication A nationally recognized vocational qualification covering marketing fundamentals, communication strategies, and promotional techniques for aspiring marketing and communications professionals.
• BSB50420 Diploma of Leadership and Management A nationally recognized vocational qualification developing leadership and management skills for supervisory and managerial roles in business settings.
• BSB50620 Diploma of Marketing and Communication A nationally recognized vocational qualification providing advanced marketing and communication skills for specialized marketing and communications roles.
• CUA51020 Diploma of Screen and Media A nationally recognized vocational qualification in screen and media production covering video production, editing, and digital content creation, delivered using professional equipment.
• CUA60620 Advanced Diploma of Screen and Media A nationally recognized advanced vocational qualification (CRICOS Code: 106648A) developing expert-level skills in screen and media, including animation, special effects, and advanced production techniques. Duration: 1.5 years; tuition fee: $19,200; enrollment fee: $300; material fee: $800; 20 contact hours per week.
• English Courses (City Language Centre partnership) English language courses including Australian Lifestyle English (Elementary to Advanced), General English, IELTS Preparation, and English for Academic Purposes, delivered through the City Language Centre partnership to support international students.
• Short Professional Development Courses Practical introductory courses in Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Premiere, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe After Effects, Adobe InDesign, AutoDesk Maya, and Bartending. These are non-accredited professional development courses targeted at aspiring designers, content creators, and hospitality workers.

Named customers3 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• University of South AustraliacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity pathway partnership providing ACDC graduates with credit transfers into Bachelor of Film and Television and Bachelor of Visual Effects programs. Diploma graduates receive 36 units (1 year or 33% of course) credit transfer.
• Southern Cross UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity pathway partnership providing ACDC graduates with credit recognition into undergraduate degree programs in design, arts, digital media, business, communications, or psychological science.
• Torrens UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity pathway partnership offering ACDC graduates advanced standing into various degree programs through the AQF Vocational Qualification Credit Linkage system.
• City Language CentrecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnglish language education partner providing ACDC students with access to English courses including Australian Lifestyle English, General English, IELTS Preparation, and English for Academic Purposes to improve language skills.
• Live Streaming AustraliaminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerInternship program partner offering students opportunities to gain real-life experience in digital content creation and live streaming production.
• Australian Retailers Association (ARA)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerInternship program partner providing students with industry experience opportunities in the retail sector through the ACDC Internship Program.
• Y&S AccountingminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerAccounting partner collaborating with ACDC to deliver tax seminars and information sessions for students covering Australian tax obligations, TFN/ABN applications, and superannuation.
• Rising Sun PicturesminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerVisual effects studio hosting student visits and information sessions about roles in visual effects, company showreels, and pathways into the industry including RSP Education and University of South Australia partnerships.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• UP Education: New Zealand-headquartered private education provider operating multiple Australian VET brands including Media Design School and other creative colleges. Comparable to ACDC as a portfolio operator of creative-focused private colleges serving international students across Australasia.
• Torrens University Australia: Australian private university offering vocational, undergraduate, and postgraduate programs across business, design, health, and hospitality. Comparable to ACDC as a pathway partner and broader incumbent in the same Australian private education market offering design and creative disciplines.
• Laureate Australia (Torrens University Australia): Previously part of Laureate International Universities, now independent Australian private education group including Torrens University, Billy Blue, APM, and other colleges. Comparable to ACDC as a multi-brand Australian private VET/HE provider serving international students with creative and design-focused programs.
• Navitas: Large global education provider with significant Australian VET and pathway programs including SAE Institute and other colleges. Comparable to ACDC as a major international student-focused education provider operating CRICOS-registered colleges across multiple disciplines.
• TAFE (Technical and Further Education) Australia: Network of government-funded technical and further education institutions offering nationally recognised VET qualifications across all states. Comparable to ACDC as the dominant Australian VET provider offering design, business, and media programs at lower price points with broader geographic reach.

Direct peers

• Shillington College: Australia-based design school offering intensive vocational training in graphic design and related creative disciplines. Comparable to ACDC as a design-focused private vocational provider with similar target student profile and short-course/VET positioning.
• Academy of Information Technology (AIT): Australian private college offering diplomas and bachelor degrees in IT, game development, film, and design. Comparable to ACDC as a CRICOS-registered private VET/HE provider focused on creative and technology disciplines, serving international students with pathway programs.
• Billy Blue College of Design: Australian private design college offering vocational and bachelor qualifications in design, communication, and creative technology. Directly comparable to ACDC as a similar-sized private VET provider targeting international students with design-focused programs and pathway partnerships with Torrens University Australia.
• SAE Institute: Australia-based creative media education provider (part of Navitas) offering diplomas and degrees in audio, film, animation, and screen media. Comparable to ACDC as a CRICOS-registered private provider with strong screen and media programs and international student focus.
• CATC Design College: Australian private vocational college focused on design, fashion, and creative industries with CRICOS registration. Directly comparable to ACDC as a design-focused private VET provider with similar international student orientation and creative discipline portfolio.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/acdcollege
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UClnAb-phTN__xp-pP67vfOA?view_as=subscriber
• Facebookfacebook.com/acdcollege

Compliance8 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Australian City Design College