Diploma of College Studies (DEC)

Tuition is The average cost for the first year is $993, including registration fees, general and specific program materials., while the application deadline for the Jan 2027 intake is Dec 31, 2026.

This programme prepares individuals to work in food processing, quality control, and safety at industrial or artisanal food production sites. It covers how food is made from raw ingredients to finished products, focusing on physical, chemical, and microbiological properties. Methods to ensure food safety, quality standards, and regulatory compliance are studied across meat, dairy, cereal, and plant-based products.

The programme blends classroom learning with hands-on experience in real-world settings. Sixty-five percent of training takes place in labs and work placements, including visits to food companies and a pilot plant. Practical skills include using automated equipment, testing food quality, and developing new recipes and packaging. An alternating work-study option begins in the first year, allowing individuals to earn while they learn.

Graduates can take roles such as food quality technician, food safety inspector, lab technologist, or production supervisor. Eighty-nine percent are employed or continue studies within a year. Transfers to university programs in food science, agricultural engineering, or related fields are possible.