Diploma of Project Management

The Diploma of Project Management is a one-year qualification that teaches you how to run projects from start to finish. You'll cover scope, time, cost, quality, risk, procurement, human resources and stakeholder communication. Assessment is practical: you'll write project plans, build schedules and budgets, run risk workshops, and report on progress. The course is delivered by the Australia Institute of Business and Technology and is registered on CRICOS for international students (course code 104063J).

Australian diplomas sit at Level 5 on the Australian Qualifications Framework. They are typically delivered over two or three study periods across a year, made up of units of study, each with a set number of credit points. There is no honours year at diploma level, and no research thesis. Some providers include a work placement or industry project, but this varies, check the official course page for what applies here. The diploma is a standalone qualification and can also provide credit towards a bachelor degree, though the amount of credit depends on the receiving institution.

You'll finish with skills employers ask for: defining project scope, building a work breakdown structure, estimating and controlling costs, managing risk, leading a team, and keeping stakeholders informed. You'll also learn to use common project management tools and templates. These are the same skills used on construction sites, IT rollouts, marketing campaigns and community events.

This course suits people who want to move into project coordination or team leadership, or who already manage work informally and want a recognised qualification. It also works for career changers and for international students who want an Australian qualification before entering the workforce. If you're an international student, you can work up to 48 hours per fortnight while studying, and you may be eligible for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) after you finish, depending on your circumstances. IELTS Academic 6.0–6.5 overall is the usual English standard for courses at this level, and the Student visa has its own English requirement set by the Department of Home Affairs. Tuition is published on the CRICOS register, confirm current fees, entry requirements and start dates on the official page.

• Project coordinator or project officer in construction, IT, government, health or community services
• Team leader or supervisor with responsibility for planning and reporting
• Assistant project manager on infrastructure, events or digital projects
• Contracts or procurement officer supporting project delivery
• Business improvement or change support roles
• Further study: credit towards a bachelor degree in project management, business or a related field, subject to the receiving institution's rules