Advanced Diploma of Business

The Advanced Diploma of Business is a two-year qualification at Allman College that sits at the diploma level of the Australian Qualifications Framework. It's built for people who want practical business skills without committing to a full three-year bachelor degree, or who want a recognised qualification before stepping into a degree later. The course is registered on CRICOS (course code 113283M), which means it's approved for international students to study in Australia on a Student visa.

What you study

An advanced diploma at this level is made up of units of study, each carrying credit points. You'll cover the core areas that every organisation needs: managing budgets and financial plans, leading and managing teams, developing business plans, managing risk, and overseeing operational and customer service functions. Where the qualification includes elective options, you can usually steer them toward the area you're aiming at, marketing, human resources, or general management. Assessment is typically a mix of assignments, case studies, group projects and exams, with some units assessed entirely on practical tasks.

How the two years are structured

Allman College runs the course across semesters or trimesters, depending on the intake you choose. Full-time study is the standard for international students, and the two-year duration lines up with the Student visa requirements. Some advanced diplomas include a work placement or industry project in the final stage, where you apply what you've learned in a real workplace. You should confirm with the college whether placement is part of this course and how it's arranged, because it varies between providers.

What you come out with

You finish with the ability to read a profit and loss statement, put together a budget, manage a small team, write a business plan and handle the compliance side of running a business or a department. Those are the skills employers actually ask for in administration, operations and team leader roles. The qualification also gives you a pathway: many students use an advanced diploma as credit toward a bachelor degree, which can shorten the time it takes to complete. How much credit you receive depends on the receiving university and the units you've completed, so check with them directly.

Who it suits

This course works well for school leavers who want a practical start, for people already working in business who want a formal qualification, and for international students who want an Australian qualification that leads to either work or further study. If you're an international applicant, you'll need to meet the college's English requirement, IELTS Academic 6.0–6.5 overall is the common standard for courses at this level, and equivalent tests like TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic or Cambridge C1 Advanced are accepted. The Department of Home Affairs also sets its own English threshold for the Student visa, which is separate from the college's requirement. While studying, you can work up to 48 hours per fortnight, and after graduating you may be eligible for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream, depending on your circumstances. Tuition is published on the CRICOS register, check the official course page for current fees and intake dates.

• Administration officer or business support officer in government, health, education or private firms
• Team leader or supervisor in retail, hospitality, logistics or customer service
• Accounts or payroll officer in small and medium businesses
• Project support officer on construction, IT or events projects
• Sales or business development coordinator
• Office manager in professional services firms
• Pathway to a bachelor degree in business, commerce or management with credit for completed units