Diploma of Project Management

The Diploma of Project Management at Arthur Phillip College of Business and Leadership is a two-year qualification that sits at the diploma level on the Australian Qualifications Framework. You'll learn how projects actually get planned, resourced, monitored and closed out. Expect units covering scope, time, cost, quality, risk, procurement, human resources and stakeholder communication. Assessment is practical: project plans, schedules, budgets, risk registers and simulated or real project documentation. You'll use tools that project teams use in Australia, including scheduling and cost-control software.

How the course is structured

Australian diplomas are made up of units of study, each carrying credit points. The academic year usually runs across two semesters, though some institutions use trimesters. You complete core units first, then choose electives or specialisations. Most diplomas include a capstone or applied project where you manage a real or simulated project from brief to final report. Work-integrated learning is common in project management, so you may take a placement with a construction firm, IT company, event organiser or government agency. Your student visa lets you work up to 48 hours per fortnight while you study, which can help you build local experience.

What you'll be able to do

By the end, you should be able to write a project charter, build a work breakdown structure, estimate costs, run a risk workshop, track progress against baselines and report to a steering committee. You'll also practise the soft side: negotiating with suppliers, managing team conflict and keeping sponsors informed. These are the skills employers list in project coordinator and project officer job ads across Australia.

Who it suits

This diploma suits people who want a practical, job-ready qualification without committing to a three-year bachelor degree. It's also a pathway: on completion, you may get credit towards a bachelor's degree in project management, business or construction management, though you should confirm credit arrangements with the receiving institution. If you're already working in a trade, administration or team-lead role and want to move into project coordination, this is a sensible step. International students should check the official CRICOS listing for current tuition, English requirements and intake dates, and confirm visa conditions with the Department of Home Affairs.

• Project coordinator, supporting project managers with schedules, budgets and reporting in construction, IT, events or government.
• Project officer, in state and federal government departments, local councils and not-for-profits.
• Team leader, supervising small teams and work packages in retail, logistics, manufacturing or community services.
• Contract administrator, tracking procurement, variations and supplier performance in building and infrastructure.
• Event coordinator, planning and delivering conferences, festivals and corporate events.
• Business support officer, coordinating resources, schedules and stakeholders in professional services firms.

Australian industries that hire diploma-level project staff include construction and civil engineering, information technology, health and aged care, education, government administration, mining and resources, and event management. The Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream may be available to eligible graduates, letting you stay and work in Australia after your course. Always check current eligibility rules with the Department of Home Affairs.