Advanced Diploma of Hospitality Management

The Advanced Diploma of Hospitality Management is a two-year qualification for people who want to run the show, a restaurant, a hotel department, a function centre, a club. It sits above the Diploma and below a bachelor degree, and it is built around the day-to-day reality of hospitality: rostering, budgeting, compliance, food and beverage operations, and leading a team through a busy service.

How the course is structured

Australian vocational qualifications are made up of units of competency, each carrying credit points. You study them across semesters or trimesters, with a mix of classroom work, kitchen and service training, and assessment tasks that mirror real jobs. Because this is an Advanced Diploma, the units push further into management territory, financial control, human resources, marketing, and operational planning, rather than just front-line skills.

Work-integrated learning is standard in hospitality. You will likely complete a practical placement or industry-based project in a hotel, restaurant, catering company or events venue, where you apply what you have learned under supervision. Some providers also run a capstone-style project where you plan and execute a real event or business improvement plan. Assessment is competency-based: you either demonstrate the skill or you don't, and you get the chance to practise until you can.

What you actually learn

You will learn how to manage budgets and financial reports, lead and roster staff, handle workplace health and safety and food safety requirements, manage liquor licensing and responsible service of alcohol, design menus, control stock and purchasing, and deal with customers and complaints. You will also cover marketing, social media for hospitality, and the legal side of running a venue. Communication and problem-solving sit inside every unit, because hospitality is a people business.

Who it suits

This course suits people already working in hospitality who want to move into supervisory or management roles, and people with no experience who want a practical, job-ready qualification without committing to a three-year bachelor degree. It also suits international students who want to study in Australia and gain work experience while they study, student visa holders can work up to 48 hours per fortnight during term. After graduating, you may be eligible for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream, which lets you stay and work in Australia for a period. Check the current rules with the Department of Home Affairs.

English requirements for international applicants are usually IELTS Academic 6.0–6.5 overall, or an accepted equivalent such as TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic or Cambridge C1 Advanced. The Student visa has its own separate English threshold. Tuition fees are published on the CRICOS register. Always confirm entry requirements, unit lists, placement arrangements and fees on the official course page before you apply.

• Restaurant or café manager, running daily operations, rostering, stock control and customer service in venues across Australia.
• Hotel duty manager or front office supervisor, overseeing shifts, handling guest issues and coordinating departments in hotels and resorts.
• Food and beverage supervisor, managing service teams in hotels, clubs, pubs and function centres.
• Events or functions coordinator, planning and delivering conferences, weddings and corporate events.
• Catering manager, running catering operations for hospitals, airlines, schools or event companies.
• Club or pub operations manager, managing licensed venues, compliance and gaming areas where applicable.
• Small business owner, many graduates open their own café, restaurant or catering business.

Hospitality is one of Australia's largest employing industries, with jobs in every city and regional town. Employers include hotel groups, restaurant chains, catering companies, clubs, aged care and healthcare providers, and tourism operators.