Online microcredentials

Build job-ready skills without committing to a longer-term qualification.

Introduction to Online microcredentials

Explore online microcredentials that allow you to upskill, fast. Created by leading universities, these courses are designed to boost your industry skills when you don’t have the time or budget to enrol in longer study.

Prepare for a new career opportunity. Meet a professional development requirement. Or even start a journey towards further study. Through Open Universities Australia, you can achieve these goals, and more.

Open Universities Australia student, Ashleigh
Ashleigh studied Introduction to Australian Tax Law with Curtin University, and Auditing Theory and Practice with UniSA, through Open Universities Australia

Why choose our online microcredentials marketplace?

We make it easier to improve your employability with universities from across Australia.

Upskill quickly, with most microcredential courses only running for 10 to 18 weeks

Earn while you learn through flexible, self-paced study

Defer your course fee thanks to HELP funding

Explore microcredentials that offer pathways into qualifications

Combine microcredentials to earn a recognised certificate

Obtain academic credit that can be used towards a degree in the future

Microcredential FAQs

What are microcredentials?

Microcredentials are short certification courses that allow you to build industry-relevant skills at a university level.

The microcredentials available online through Open Universities Australia are subjects taken from undergraduate and postgraduate courses. You can enrol in them without committing to any further study. The benefit to this is that you will only upskill in the area you want to, and you don’t have to spend time or money on study you don’t need. These microcredentials are offered at different proficiently levels, so you will want to check if there are any entry requirements before enrolling.

Once you complete your microcredential, you will receive a certificate of completion that you can share with employers.

What is the Australian National Microcredentials Framework?

The National Microcredentials Framework was developed by the Australian Government in 2021 to standardise microcredentials, which were previously unregulated. Now, course providers must ensure that Australian microcredentials fit the following criteria:

  • The course must run for at least an hour, and up to several months, provided it’s shorter than an award qualification
  • The course must have an industry-specific learning outcome
  • The course must be assessed

It’s best to enrol in a microcredential with a recognised university or TAFE to ensure that it fits this framework and will be respected by employers. You can find universities offering microcredentials through Open Universities Australia.

What's the difference between microcredentials vs short courses?

It’s easy to be confused about the difference between microcredentials and short courses because they are very similar. Think of it like this:

  • Microcredentials include a formal assessment like an essay, test or exam, and are designed to give you skills and knowledge that you can use to address a need or shortage in your industry.
  • Short courses do include assessments, but are not required to test your knowledge. For this reason, they’re a good option for you if you’d like to learn without pressure, get hands-on training or find a new hobby. 
Do employers value microcredentials?

With Australia facing significant skills shortages across many industries, businesses need workers who are willing to invest in themselves and fill these gaps, fast. Employers value microcredentials because they show that you have upskilled in your field at a university level.

Some microcredentials are recognised by professional bodies and can be used to meet your continuing professional development (CPD) requirements. You should check the course description carefully before enrolling to ensure the course fits the criteria. You can also call us to ask us about this if you’re unsure.

It’s important to note that microcredentialing isn’t the same as earning an award qualification like a certificate, diploma or degree. But a microcredential can give your resume a much-needed boost.

How can I use a microcredential to get into an award qualification?

If you’d like to study at university for the first time, you can start with an ‘open enrolment’ microcredential. These microcredential subjects don’t have entry requirements and can help you get into a related undergraduate qualification. 

If you have studied at uni before and you want to earn a postgraduate qualification in the future, there are options for you too. Many microcredentials count as academic credit towards certificates, diplomas and degrees.  

Chat with us to find out more about this.  

How much does the average microcredential cost?

The cost of your microcredential course will vary depending on the university that you study with, and the complexity of the topic. Microcredentials typically range from $499 to $3,500. 

Since all online microcredentials available through Open Universities Australia are university subjects, they are covered by HECS-HELP or FEE-HELP funding. This means you can choose to put off paying your course fee until you’re earning a suitable income. 

What are 'stackable' microcredentials?

Some microcredential subjects can be combined or ‘stacked’ together over time to create a qualification. 

You can stack four undergraduate-level microcredentials together to form an undergraduate certificate. And you can stack four postgraduate-level microcredentials together to form a graduate certificate. This is an option worth considering if you’d like a more formal recognition of your study efforts.

You can explore undergraduate certificates and graduate certificates through our website. This will tell you which microcredential subjects to focus on. 

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Microcredentials insights and study advice

How a microcredential can help you survive job uncertainty

In an unpredictable professional landscape, many Australian employees are undertaking short-term study to upskill and build themselves a career safety net. Here’s how you can too. 

Are microcredentials worth it?

You can study a microcredential in just about any industry, from healthcare and education to business and marketing. Here’s why these skills-based short courses are worth your time.

The power of microcredentials for high school students

Did you know you can study some short uni courses before you've even finished school? Find out how a microcredential can help you get a head start on your future.

What are microcredentials?

Unis across Australia are encouraging time-poor students to enrol in microcredentials. But what are these job-ready short courses, exactly - and will they really help you get ahead in the workforce?

Here to guide you there

Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation helping every Australian access thousands of university courses.

Over 509,000 students have enrolled in university through us since 1993.

The logos of all the universities that are a part of Open Universities Australia's marketplace as of January 2024

Courses from 25 of Australia's leading universities

Our friendly student advisors are here to help

We’re here to guide you every step of the way with advice on:

  • Choosing a course that suits you best.
  • Enrolling and planning your studies.
  • Understanding your funding options.

Call, message or chat with a student advisor today.

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