Travel and tourism courses
Want to work in travel and tourism? You can start with a Certificate III in Travel and be job ready in under a year, or train to lead tours with a Certificate IV in Guiding. Here's what each course leads to, how long it takes and what it costs.
- Quickest way to start
- 4 months
- Certificate III, full time at TAFE NSW
- TAFE cost from
- $1,570
- subsidised Certificate IV, TAFE NSW
- What the jobs pay
- $69,200 to $74,500
- median pay across 2 jobs
- Demand
- 2 of 2 jobs
- are on the national shortage list
Which course do you need?
It depends on the job you want.
Certificate III in Travel
Work as a travel agent
Plan and book flights, accommodation and itineraries for customers, in a shopfront, a corporate travel company or an online agency.
JobTravel Agent
Median pay$69,200
- How long it takes
- 4 to 18 months full time at TAFE NSW
- What it costs
- $2,130 at TAFE NSW if you're eligible for a subsidised place, or $8,490 full fee
- How you'll study
- Online or on campus
A Certificate III or IV in Guiding
Become a tour guide
Lead groups through attractions, national parks, wineries and city tours, looking after commentary, logistics and safety.
JobTour Guide
Median pay$74,500
- How long it takes
- 6 to 24 months full time
- What it costs
- $2,130 at TAFE NSW if you're eligible for a subsidised place, or $8,810 full fee
How much it costs at TAFE
If you're eligible for a government-subsidised place, you pay much less than the full fee, and in some states these courses can be free. Here's what each TAFE lists.
| TAFE | State | Certificate III in Guiding | Certificate III in Tourism | Certificate III in Travel | Certificate IV in Travel and Tourism | Diploma of Travel and Tourism Management | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Subsidised | Full fee | Subsidised | Full fee | Subsidised | Full fee | Subsidised | Full fee | Subsidised | Full fee | ||
| TAFE NSW | NSW | $2,130 | $8,810 | $2,130 | $7,500 | $2,130 | $8,490 | $1,570 | $10,010 | Not listed | Not listed |
| Holmesglen Institute | VIC | Not listed | Not listed | $3,703 | $8,720 | Not listed | Not listed | $5,040 | $13,056 | Not listed | Not listed |
| TAFE Queensland | QLD | Not listed | Not listed | $3,480 | $5,415 | $3,690 | $6,600 | Not listed | Not listed | $8,880 | $12,675 |
TAFE NSWNSW
- Certificate III in Guiding
- $2,130 subsidised
- $8,810 full fee
- Certificate III in Tourism
- $2,130 subsidised
- $7,500 full fee
- Certificate III in Travel
- $2,130 subsidised
- $8,490 full fee
- Certificate IV in Travel and Tourism
- $1,570 subsidised
- $10,010 full fee
- Diploma of Travel and Tourism Management
- Not listed
Holmesglen InstituteVIC
- Certificate III in Guiding
- Not listed
- Certificate III in Tourism
- $3,703 subsidised
- $8,720 full fee
- Certificate III in Travel
- Not listed
- Certificate IV in Travel and Tourism
- $5,040 subsidised
- $13,056 full fee
- Diploma of Travel and Tourism Management
- Not listed
TAFE QueenslandQLD
- Certificate III in Guiding
- Not listed
- Certificate III in Tourism
- $3,480 subsidised
- $5,415 full fee
- Certificate III in Travel
- $3,690 subsidised
- $6,600 full fee
- Certificate IV in Travel and Tourism
- Not listed
- Diploma of Travel and Tourism Management
- $8,880 subsidised
- $12,675 full fee
Fees as each TAFE shows them on its website, checked 20 September 2026. “Not listed” means the TAFE doesn't show that fee online. Private colleges set their own fees.
The guiding qualifications compared
Both of these prepare you to lead tours. The main difference is how big and how independent the tours are, and how much of the study goes into logistics and risk.
- Certificate III in GuidingFor leading groups at a single site or across a region, such as an attraction, cultural or heritage site, national park, winery or cruise vessel, with first aid and risk control built in.How long6 to 12 monthsTours you can leadSingle site or across a region
- Certificate IV in GuidingTrains you to run tours largely on your own, from half-day city walks to multi-day programs with bookings, transport and several sites. Commentary, logistics, conflict and safety all feature.How long6 to 24 monthsTours you can leadHalf-day to multi-day, several sites
Other university courses
- Bachelor of Tourism and Event Management3 years. Explores how tourism and events are designed, planned and promoted, with subjects in sustainable tourism and destination marketing.
- Bachelor of Tourism and Hospitality Management3 years. For management work across attractions, hotels and destinations, taught through case studies and input from people in the industry.
Can help with: caravan park manager, travel agency manager
Other certificates and diplomas
- Certificate III in Tourism6 to 18 months. Front-line tourism work, helping visitors at a visitor centre, attraction, resort or heritage site, with skills you can use across many employers.
Can help with: hotel porter, museum guide, ticket seller
- Certificate IV in Travel and Tourism18 months. For people ready to coordinate travel and tourism services and supervise a small team, in agencies, tour operations or resorts.
- Diploma of Travel and Tourism Management4 to 24 months. For moving into management, or running a small tourism operation of your own.
Can help with: caravan park manager, travel agency manager
Jobs you can do with this study
Pay is the median for everyone in the job, not a starting salary.
- Tour GuideWhat you needA guiding qualificationMedian pay$74,500In demand
- Travel AgentWhat you needCertificate IIIMedian pay$69,200In demand
“In demand” means the job is on the national skills shortage list. Check the course and provider are approved for the work you want, as rules differ by state.
Still not sure which one fits you?
Answer a few quick questions about your time, state and budget, and we'll show the courses that suit you.