Diploma of Business

The Diploma of Business at the Australian School of Commerce is a one-year qualification that sits at level 5 on the Australian Qualifications Framework. It's a practical, entry-level business course that gets you into the basics of how organisations run, accounting, marketing, management, business communication and the legal and economic environment they operate in. You'll spend the year learning how to read a balance sheet, write a business report, understand consumer behaviour and work in a team on a real business problem. The course is delivered over two or three study periods depending on the intake, with each unit of study carrying a set number of credit points. You need to complete all required units to graduate. Assessment is a mix of exams, assignments, group projects and presentations, not just one final test.

Because it's a diploma rather than a degree, it's shorter and more focused on job-ready skills. Many students use it as a pathway: finish the diploma, then apply for credit towards a bachelor degree at the same institution or another Australian university. Credit is usually granted unit by unit, based on what you've already completed. The diploma also stands on its own if you want to get into the workforce quickly. There's no thesis or major research project at this level, but you'll do a capstone-style unit in your final study period where you pull together everything you've learned to solve a business case. Some units include work-integrated learning, a placement or industry project with a local business, so you graduate with something on your resume beyond grades.

You'll pick up skills employers actually ask for: how to analyse a market, prepare a budget, manage a small team, use common business software, and communicate clearly in writing and in person. The course is taught in English, and international students need to meet the English requirement, IELTS Academic 6.0–6.5 overall is the common standard for this level, or an accepted equivalent like TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic or Cambridge C1 Advanced. The Department of Home Affairs also sets its own English threshold for the Student visa, which is separate from the school's admission requirement. While you study, your visa lets you work up to 48 hours per fortnight during term and unlimited hours during scheduled breaks. After you finish, you may be eligible for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream, depending on your circumstances.

This diploma suits school leavers who want a taste of business before committing to a three-year degree, people already working in admin or retail who want a formal qualification to move up, and international students looking for a shorter, lower-cost way to start studying in Australia. It's also a good fit if you're not sure which business major you want yet, you can try accounting, marketing and management before you specialise. Tuition is published on the CRICOS register; check the official course page for current fees, intake dates and unit details.

• Business administrator, keep an office running: schedules, records, supplies, basic financial tasks. Hired across professional services, government and small business.
• Accounts clerk or payroll officer, process invoices, reconcile statements, help with payroll. Work in accounting firms, not-for-profits and corporate finance teams.
• Customer service or sales coordinator, handle enquiries, support a sales team, manage client records. Common in retail, telecommunications, banking and insurance.
• Marketing assistant, help run campaigns, update social media, prepare reports. Roles sit in agencies, in-house marketing teams and e-commerce businesses.
• Project support officer, track budgets, book meetings, maintain project documents. Construction, IT and government projects all hire at this level.
• Retail or hospitality supervisor, lead a small team, manage rosters and stock, handle customer issues. Useful in any customer-facing industry.

These roles exist in every Australian industry, healthcare, education, mining, tourism, finance, government. The diploma also gives you a pathway into further study: credit towards a bachelor of business or commerce, which opens up management and specialist roles later.