The Public Relations Institute of Australia (PRIA) conducts a formal accreditation process which recognises diplomas and degrees at undergraduate and postgraduate levels that have as their primary objective the thorough preparation of students for a career in public relations. The accreditation program was commenced in 1991 and this update was effected in May 2014.
Public Relations has assembled the constituted body of knowledge that is a prerequisite for professional practice. PRIA’s accreditation process contributes to transmitting this knowledge to the present and future generations by reviewing education programs against established criteria, derived from the Educational Framework. The advantages of PRIA accreditation operate at three levels:
- Educational providers demonstrate that they have committed to an extensive and ongoing process to ensure their courses align with current industry practice:
- Educators and academics play a vital role in progressing the profession in concert with the industry body; and
- Graduates are equipped with best practice skills and competencies that make them attractive to potential employers.
Accreditation is an ongoing process, involving an initial application and annual reviews, conducted by the Education Community Committee, supported by a team of education experts.
The accreditation guidelines are provided as a minimum standard for public relations degrees. The key documents for accreditation are:
PRIA invites accreditation applications from Vocational Education and Training Providers, Private Training Institutions and Universities. For more information, contact PRIA at education@pria.com.au by calling 02 9331 3346.
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University of Technology, Sydney 
About: These courses are focused on developing the professional communication skills and strategies required for a career in public relations or advertising, fields which are converging into a new, broader and more challenging future. Students explore the communication contexts for these practices - cultural, social and political, and develop their professional skills in campaign design and production, copywriting, media liaison and writing, research and evaluation, sponsorship and event management. Combined degrees are offered with International Studies or Law.
About: These postgraduate courses focus on developing the understanding and strategic communication skills required for a successful career in communication management, and in specialised areas within the field of practice. Our lecturers are experienced communication professionals who create clear links between professional practice and academic concepts and research. Our students are challenged to think critically and independently as they hone their practical skills within the framework of ethical and responsible communication.
University of Newcastle 
About: The University of Newcastle opens doors to outstanding opportunities both on and off-campus. The Public Relations major of the Bachelor of Communication degree is offered at Newcastle's Callaghan Campus and provides students with the skills required in the profession and practice of public relations.
During the degree program, students will undertake studies in professional writing, public relations practice, public affairs, public relations strategy, communication and discourse, campaign analysis and design, and have the opportunity to apply their learning in structured professional placement in their final year.
Several courses within the public relations major take a client-centred approach and recent research supports such direction. Client-centred public relations courses have been shown to be helpful for fostering students understanding of the professional environment and are carefully structured to clearly link the professional environment and the academic learning. This approach also fits well with the University’s graduate attributes of professionalism, scholarship and community responsiveness
Western Sydney University 
About: WSU aspires to be a place that brings positive change to the life opportunities of its students and a source of creativity and new knowledge that is relevant, robust and contributes to individual and community development. It also conducts research for the development of urban and rural regions, the new economy, cultural life and professional development.
Bond University, Gold Coast 
About: Bond University is set on a 49.86 hectare campus at Robina on Queensland's Gold Coast. Lecture theatres, case study rooms and tutorial rooms are conveniently located in the University Centre building; several student restaurants, cafes and bars circle the lake; and on-campus accommodation is within easy walking distance of all university faculties.The study facilities here are world-class, incorporating high-tech lecture theatres, the latest broadband and wifi computer connections, and libraries that are ranked among Australia’s best.Complementing these academic features, you’ll find a comprehensive selection of recreational and social outlets that encourage interaction between students outside the classroom.
Queensland University of Technology 
About: QUT is one of the largest in Australia with 40,000 students. It offers a broad range of degrees, with the flexibility to choose a combination of study areas as well as participates in exchange programs with overseas universities. It is the largest provider of bachelor degree graduates into full-time employment in Australia each year.
University of Southern Queensland 
About: USQ is a dynamic, young institution offering undergraduate and postgraduate degrees on campus, off campus and on line. It believes that flexible delivery is about giving people what they want, where they want it, when they want it, in their own time. Its main campus is in the city of Toowoomba, and has campuses at Hervey Bay and Brisbane. It enrolls 25,000 students and has a strong research program. It is a world leader in online learning technologies and pedagogy.
University of the Sunshine Coast 
About: The University of the Sunshine Coast is a new and modern university. Now with over 9,000 students, it has a growing reputation for quality degrees in one of the most beautiful locations in the world - offering the best of both worlds. USC has a strong record of graduate satisfaction in teaching quality and student support. Students benefit from ready access to teaching staff, modern facilities and flexible degree options.
University of South Australia 
About: UniSA is committed to educating professionals. It was founded on 1 January 1991 through the amalgamation of the South Australian Institute of Technology and the Magill, Salisbury and Underdale campuses of the South Australian College of Advanced Education. Its programs include fieldwork, industry guided simulations and industry projects.
Deakin University 
About: Studying Public Relations at Deakin is challenging, rewarding and fun. These courses are grounded on a sound theoretical and ethical base whilst boasting a practical focus which reflects industry requirements. The teaching team consists of seven lecturers with diverse Public Relations backgrounds in the corporate, non-profit and government sectors. Their combined skills and experience ensures the Deakin public relations graduate is well prepared to 'hit the ground running' in the dynamic public relations and corporate communications industry
Our multiple course entry and exit points, deferment, and full-time and part-time study all allow you the flexibility to structure your study to suit your lifestyle, as well as your work and personal commitments. These courses are also available off campus and Deakin uses innovative technology to deliver the courses including online resources like podcasts and MP3s.
For further information please click here.
La Trobe University 
About: Communicating in a fast-changing world for businesses, government and not-for-profit requires highly skilled specialists. The Bachelor of Media and Communication (Public Relations) aims to equip people for the highest levels in this growth industry of the 21st century. It will deliver a range of skills in issues management, campaign development, media relations, community relations and internal communication and writing and research for strategic communication.
With a purpose-built Strategic Communication Agency where students complete work for real industry clients including sport, fashion, not-for-profit and the corporate world, complementing an extensive internship program, La Trobe students graduate with a raft of experience.
With links to universities across Asia, the United States, the UK and Europe, students can study solely in Melbourne or complete subjects around the world. The course sits within the Department of Media and Communication which has an extensive range of other communication options such as journalism, sport journalism and media industries. Students can also include marketing and business units in their degree or choose from a wide range of humanities subjects.
After graduating, careers in strategic communication, public relations, marketing, journalism, media, advertising and promotion will be opened. It can lead to roles such as account executive, journalist, media broadcaster, strategic planner or communication adviser.
Monash University 
About: Monash is one of Australia's most internationalised university. It has ten campuses including Malaysia, South Africa, China, India and a centre in Prato, Italy. An energetic and dynamic university, Monash is committed to quality education and research. In Melbourne, campuses are located at Caulfield, Clayton, Berwick, Parkville and Peninsula.
RMIT University 
About: RMIT University in Melbourne offers long-established and centrally-located programs in public relations. The University continues to be a leader in public relations education, both through the range of its course offerings, and also through its growing emphasis on industry-relevant research and other activities. The Undergraduate Bachelor of Communication (Public Relations) program, Graduate Diploma in Public Relations and the Master of Arts Communication are all accredited by PRIA.
RMIT’s undergraduate degree in public relations provides a strong mix of theoretical and practical industry-based content, with students able to study at offshore partner universities, including RMIT Vietnam. The degree aims to ensure its graduates continue to be among the leaders in the contemporary public relations practice.
Swinburne University of Technology 
Offered by the Faculty of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities, at Hawthorn campus and online through Swinburne Online:
About: For more than 100 years, Swinburne has been committed to innovative education, producing outstanding graduates and delivering enduring outcomes for industry partners. With a focus on science, technology and innovation, Swinburne’s reputation for high quality, engaged teaching and research is reflected in Swinburne’s consistent ranking among the top 3% of universities in the world.
Victoria University 
* Please note: The VU Master of Communication (AMCO) is now in teach-out and has been replaced by the new Master of Communication (AMCN), and the VU Graduate Diploma of Communication (Public Relations) (AGCA) is now in teach out and has been replaced by the Graduate Diploma of Public Relations (AGCN).
About: Victoria University (VU) is a multi-sector institution (higher education and TAFE) with excellence in teaching, training, research and scholarship. We offer short courses as well as qualifications in vocational education (TAFE) and higher education. Our learning pathways enable you to move from a certificate course through to an advanced diploma, degree, or postgraduate qualification by coursework or research.
We have more than 50,000 students enrolled at our local campuses and international sites. We operate primarily at campuses in the western suburbs of Melbourne (Australia), Melbourne city centre and locations provided by our partners in Asia and Europe. As the primary university in Melbourne's western region, we are proud to deliver courses, research and engagement activities that are locally relevant and globally significant.
Curtin University 
About: As Western Australia’s largest university with over 44,000 students, Curtin University of Technology is recognised on a global scale and offers a truly international learning experience.
Curtin is widely recognised for the practical and applied nature of its courses, which equip graduates with essential skills through exposure to industry and business, and our research, which focuses on solving real world problems. This combination enables our graduates to be immediately effective in the workplace upon graduation. Curtin has close links with corporate business, industry, government and the community and our courses have a strong practical focus, with most involving vocational or work experience components.
As a result, Curtin graduates are job-ready and prepared, with skills that enable them to make a genuine and positive influence in a continuously changing world.
Edith Cowan University 
About: Edith Cowan University (ECU) is a large multi-campus institution serving communities in Western Australia, Australia and a significant cohort of international students.
Awarded university status in 1991, ECU has since developed innovative and practical courses across a wide range of disciplines, established a vibrant research culture and attracted a growing range of quality research partners and researchers, many working at the cutting edge of their fields.
Murdoch University 
About: At Murdoch, we have more than 18,000 students and 1400 staff, including 2,000 overseas students from about 90 countries. That’s more than 19,400 unique stories, backgrounds and ways of thinking that help us to make a difference in the world.
In Western Australia, our South Street campus has a range of facilities including a comprehensive vet hospital (with WA’s only equine operating theatres), engineering pilot plant, a chiropractic clinic, Media Arts centre and more.
We also have transnational campuses in Singapore, and a campus in Dubai where our students use state-of-the-art TV and radio studios, newsrooms and editing suites.
We are recognised as one of Australia’s leading research institutions, as more industries place their belief and resources into our projects to provide our research candidates and scientists with the opportunity to make amazing discoveries.
