Advanced Diploma of Hospitality Management

The Advanced Diploma of Hospitality Management is a two-year qualification delivered by Acumen Institute of Further Education. It sits at the advanced diploma level of the Australian Qualifications Framework, one step above a diploma and below a bachelor degree. The course is registered on CRICOS (course code 113777M), so it is available to international students studying in Australia on a Student visa.

What you study

You work through units of study that cover the operational and managerial sides of hospitality. Typical areas include food and beverage service, front office operations, housekeeping supervision, event coordination, financial reporting, rostering and staff management, and compliance with Australian licensing, food safety and workplace health and safety rules. Assessment is practical as well as written, you will be expected to run service periods, handle customer complaints, prepare rosters and budgets, and show you can lead a small team. Many units are drawn from the SIT Hospitality Training Package, which is the national standard for this industry, so the skills you pick up are the ones employers actually ask for.

How the course is structured

Australian vocational qualifications are built from units of competency, each carrying credit points. At Acumen the advanced diploma is usually delivered over four or six study periods across two years, depending on timetabling. There is no separate honours year and no research thesis at this level, the capstone is a practical management project or a supervised work placement where you take on a real supervisory role in a hospitality venue. Work-integrated learning is central to hospitality training, so expect a substantial placement component in a hotel, restaurant, events company or club. Credit for prior study or relevant work experience may be granted under the institute's recognition of prior learning policy; ask about it before you enrol.

Skills you build

By the end you should be able to write a roster that meets a wage budget, read a profit and loss statement for a food and beverage outlet, manage a function from enquiry to pack-down, deal with difficult customers, and keep a venue compliant with liquor and food safety laws. You also practise the softer side: briefing staff, giving feedback, and handling the pressure of a busy service. These are the things that get you promoted from the floor to the office.

Who it suits

This course suits people who already work in hospitality and want a formal management qualification, career changers who want to move into hotels or events, and international students who want an Australian qualification with a strong practical focus. It is not a university degree and does not lead to professional registration. If you are aiming for a bachelor's degree later, ask Acumen about credit pathways, some Australian universities accept advanced diploma study as credit towards a related degree. English requirements for international applicants are set out on the institute's website and the Department of Home Affairs sets a separate English threshold for the Student visa. While studying, a Student visa generally allows up to 48 hours of work per fortnight during term. After you finish, the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream may be available if you meet the requirements. Tuition is published on the CRICOS register. Confirm all details, including current fees, intake dates and English equivalences, on the official page before applying.

• Duty manager or shift supervisor, hotels, motels, resorts and serviced apartments
• Food and beverage supervisor or restaurant manager, restaurants, pubs, clubs and catering companies
• Front office supervisor, hotel reception and reservations teams
• Events or functions coordinator, conference centres, wineries, stadiums and event hire businesses
• Housekeeping supervisor, large hotels and cleaning contractors
• Banquet or venue operations coordinator, clubs, RSLs and community venues
• Small business operator, cafés, takeaway outlets and catering ventures

Hospitality is one of Australia's largest employing industries, with jobs spread across cities and regional tourism areas. Employers include hotel groups, hospitality chains, clubs, event venues, airlines, aged care and hospital catering services, and tourism operators. The advanced diploma also gives you a pathway into further study, such as a bachelor's degree in hospitality, tourism or business, often with credit for your completed units.