Enrolments now open – Semester 1 of the new Diploma of Customs Broking (NNF 2014/047)


The Customs Brokers and Forwarders Council of Australia Inc. (CBFCA) is delighted to announce that enrolments are now open through the CBFCA’s International Trade and Logistics College (www.italc.edu.au) for the inaugural semester of the Diploma of Customs Broking (national course code TLI50813), commencing in early July. This is a very exciting period for our industry as this is the first time a Diploma level qualification has been created that specifically targets the professional skills required for intending licensed customs brokers. The Australian Customs and Border Protection Service (ACBPS) has indicated that an ACBPS Notice will be released shortly advising that the Diploma of Customs Broking will be the new pre-requisite course for persons seeking to be licensed as customs brokers as referenced under Part XI of the Customs Act 1901.**

As the only industry body representing the interests of the individually licensed and corporate customs brokers of Australia, the CBFCA commends this Diploma course to employers seeking to enhance the skills of their staff to customs broker level, as well as to individuals seeking to take the next step in their professional careers towards becoming licensed customs brokers.

The Diploma comprises a total of 18 study units which the CBFCA recommends are completed over five semesters to allow time for the in-depth learning that this course entails. Each of these study units has been carefully created with a practical sense of the on-job requirements of customs brokers using the skills of some of Australia’s most experienced customs brokers as course writers. Information about each of the units may be found by clicking HERE.

The CBFCA has developed a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document designed to answer any questions members may have about the Diploma (see the attachment). However, the CBFCA’s training team are only too pleased to respond to any further questions or queries that members may have about any aspect of the Diploma. Our Training Team welcome your enquiries either via email or call them on (07) 3256 0146.

A few key points to note about the new Diploma:
  • The fee structure for the new Diploma of Customs Broking (an 18 study unit course) will remain the same as for the previous course of study for licensed customs brokers, The National Customs Brokers Course, (an eleven study unit course). The CBFCA will therefore absorb the additional costs of delivery as a service to students.

  • Existing students in the NCBC will be able to continue their enrolment straight into the Diploma from July with recognition being given to all units completed to date. As each individual student’s situation will be different in terms of their current progression through the NCBC, individual training plans will be created for each student showing their upgrade pathway into the Diploma

  • Currently licensed customs brokers, including those who recently completed the NCBC, will be able to attain the Diploma of Customs Broking through a process of Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) which the CBFCA has under development. More information about RPL will be available shortly with its release expected to coincide with the start of the semester in early July.
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Completing certain advanced units of study within the Diploma will provide for exemption for a full year of CPD points within specific Streams of the CPD Scheme. More details about this will be coming soon, as the CBFCA is still working with the ACBPS on this exciting development.

Why choose the CBFCA for your study?

The CBFCA, as your industry representative body, has a vested interest in making sure the very highest standards are maintained in terms of the skills and knowledge of its graduates. The CBFCA, as a not-for-profit entity exists for one reason and one reason alone: for the benefit of its members and the broader industry. The CBFCA recognises that the best pathway towards the ongoing success of our industry is through the development of upcoming personnel as they prepare to move into the senior positions of the future. The pursuit of commercial return from training is not what drives us and this is what distinguishes your association from other training entities with a commercial focus. The CBFCA's course fees are reasonable and the CBFCA can offer flexible payments plans where required.

As your industry body, and as an online college with national reach, the CBFCA has also recruited as its course lecturers what it believes are the very 'best of the best' of experienced, industry personnel wherever they may be located around Australia. Our uncompromising attitude to educational quality has already been strongly recognised by industry as employers know they can count on a CBFCA graduate to have the skills and knowledge required to perform both their current task and to be ready to take on the next level of responsibility when the time comes.

Ready to enrol?

To enrol in the Diploma go to www.italc.edu.au and click on the ‘Enrol Now!’ button on the homepage. New students will choose Program 1 which provides for the first cluster of study units in the Diploma. Current licensed customs brokers who are interested in the RPL upgrade option should email the Training Team via email to register their interest. Existing students in the NCBC need do nothing at this stage as they will be contacted directly by the Training Team over the coming weeks to discuss their upgrade pathway into the Diploma.

** Persons who have completed the previous course of study approved by the ACBPS for licensing are advised that this change to the Diploma of Customs Brokering as the new approved course of study will not require them to undertake further study to make application for a customs brokers licence. The change of recognition by the ACBPS to make the Diploma  of Customs Broking the newly approved course of study also does not mean that the previously approved course/s of study will no longer be recognised. For further information on this contact Brokers Licensing

CBFCA Team