Graduate Diploma of Project Management

The Graduate Diploma of Project Management at ASA Institute of Higher Education is a one-year qualification for people who want to run projects properly, the planning, the budget, the people, the reporting, and the messy bits in between. You will study how to define scope, build a schedule, manage cost and risk, lead a team, and keep stakeholders informed. Assessment is typically a mix of assignments, case studies, exams and group work, with some units asking you to apply the tools to a real or simulated project.

How the qualification is structured

As a graduate diploma, this sits at AQF level 8, above a bachelor degree, below a master's. It is usually delivered over two semesters of full-time study, though some institutions offer a trimester calendar or part-time options. You complete a set of core units covering project scope, time, cost, quality, risk, procurement and human resources, and may have a small number of elective units. Each unit carries a credit point value, and you need to pass all required units to graduate. The exact unit list and credit points are set by ASA Institute of Higher Education, check the official course page for the current structure.

Skills you build

You learn to write a project charter, build a work breakdown structure, estimate durations and costs, run a risk workshop, track progress against a baseline, and report to a steering committee. You also practise the softer side: negotiating with sponsors, resolving conflict in a team, and communicating with people who do not share your technical background. These are the skills employers ask for in project support and coordination roles, and they transfer across industries.

Who it suits

This diploma suits three groups: recent graduates who want a project-focused qualification on top of their bachelor degree; people already working in project support, administration or technical roles who want to formalise their experience; and career changers who need a structured introduction to project management. It is also a pathway to a master's degree, many universities give credit for a graduate diploma, so you may enter a master's with advanced standing. If you are an international student, you can work up to 48 hours per fortnight while your course is in session, and you may be eligible for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) after you finish. English requirements are set by the institution and the Department of Home Affairs; confirm the exact scores on the official page.

• Project coordinator, supporting project managers with schedules, budgets, meeting minutes and status reports in construction, IT, government or consulting firms.
• Project administrator, maintaining project documentation, tracking expenses and helping with procurement in engineering, health or education organisations.
• Team leader or assistant project manager, running smaller projects or workstreams under a senior manager, common in professional services and technology companies.
• Program support officer, assisting with governance, reporting and benefits tracking across a portfolio of projects in the public sector or large corporates.
• Business improvement officer, using project methods to plan and deliver process changes in banking, insurance, logistics or manufacturing.
• Event or operations coordinator, applying project planning to events, marketing campaigns or operational rollouts in tourism, media or retail.

Australian industries that hire project management graduates include construction and infrastructure, information technology, government and defence, health services, mining and resources, and financial services. Some roles may require additional certifications such as PRINCE2 or PMP, which you can pursue after graduation. Check the official course page for details on professional recognition and credit towards further study.