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Diploma · national qualification

Diploma of Customs Broking

Customs brokers clear goods across the Australian border, and this diploma teaches the rules behind that work: working out what a shipment is, how it is classified, what it is worth and what duty, GST and other taxes apply.

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Illustration of a person working as customs Broker
How long it takes
18 months
full time at TAFE NSW
How you can study
On campus
Main job
Customs Broker
$79,000 (estimate) median pay
Taught by
2 providers
Every state and territory

Is this course right for you?

What the Diploma of Customs Broking asks of you, and what you might want to check first.

It helps to have

  • an interest in how goods move across borders
  • careful attention to detail when checking documents
  • comfort with reading and applying rules and regulations
  • clear communication skills for dealing with clients and agencies

Before you start

There are no entry requirements for this qualification.

Where this course can take you

Jobs this qualification is a recognised route into, and the study that can follow it.

Jobs you can do with it

  • Customs Broker

    Customs brokers prepare the declarations and approvals that let imported and exported goods cross the Australian border legally.

    What else you need

    The diploma is the course of study approved by the Australian Border Force for people seeking a customs broker licence, but it does not confer the licence. A separate licence application to the Australian Border Force is required.

    Median pay$79,000 (estimate)

Pay is the median for everyone in the job, and “In demand” means the job is on the national shortage list. Pay marked as an estimate is our own analysis, not a published figure.

Where you can study this course

There are 2 places you can study this course. When you compare them, check they teach it the way you want to study, how far you'd be from a campus, what it will cost you and what past students say about the teaching and support. They're listed by how often people search for them, and none of them pays to be here or to move up.

What you’ll learn

The main topics covered in the Diploma of Customs Broking.

  • Classifying goods for duty
  • Working out customs value
  • Duty, GST and indirect taxes
  • Biosecurity and border clearance
  • Import and export restrictions
  • Origin and trade agreements
See all 14 core units

Core units

Everyone completes these. Select a unit to see what it covers.

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Questions to ask before you enrol

Providers run this course differently, so the answers change from one to the next.

  1. When is the next intake, and how many are there each year?
  2. What is the total cost, including materials, checks and any placement costs?
  3. Can I study part time or online, and how does that change the length?
  4. Do the units count towards a higher qualification if I go on to study further?

Questions people ask

Who is this qualification for?

It suits people already in freight forwarding, logistics or a customs agency, as the study applies the rules to real consignments. The role involves self-directed application of knowledge, with judgement in planning and selecting equipment, services and techniques for yourself and others. It can lead to roles such as customs broker, freight forwarder, import export clerk, importer exporter or shipping clerk.

Do I need experience or other qualifications first?

There are no entry requirements for this qualification. Individual providers can set their own conditions, so check with the provider you choose.

Is a licence, registration or check required to work in this area?

Yes. Finishing this diploma meets one of the Australian Border Force requirements for a customs brokers licence, with the rest of the licensing process handled by the Australian Border Force. Refer to the Australian Border Force website for further information.

Related courses

The national training register, training.gov.au. TAFE course pages, read 20 September 2026. Google reviews. Pay and shortage status from Jobs and Skills Australia.