Hi Brodie and welcome.
I wouldn't wait until you have completed a course. There is plenty to do before you get bees, making boxes up, getting tooled up, lots of reading.
I started with a single hive, a captured swarm a few years ago, now I have 8 hives. I did not do a course or join a bee club. I only recently discovered this forum which has been very helpful with some issues.
The other day I discovered this short intro course that is local :
http://www.whyskills.com.au/vicki-bickerton.htmlI have heard the club in Doncaster is very good, I am in Ringwood but never have the time to attend club meetings. I would join up and attend if I had time.
It is not too late in the season to start a new colony. However, you'd be lucky to catch a swarm now. But you never know.
good luck
cheers
john