Diploma of Accounting

The Diploma of Accounting is a practical, job-focused qualification for people who want to work in bookkeeping, accounts payable and receivable, payroll, or as an assistant accountant. It runs for 47 weeks at Brisbane College of Australia, and the course is listed on the CRICOS register under code 097925G. You'll study the day-to-day work of an accounting office: processing financial transactions, preparing journals and ledgers, reconciling bank statements, completing Business Activity Statements, running payroll, and producing reports from accounting software. Assessment is competency-based, you have to demonstrate you can actually do the tasks, not just pass an exam.

How the course is structured

Vocational diplomas like this are built from units of competency rather than the semester-and-credit-point model used in bachelor degrees. Each unit covers a specific workplace skill, and you need to be assessed as competent in all of them to graduate. There is no research thesis or capstone project at this level. Instead, your final units often pull several skills together, for example, preparing a full set of financial reports for a simulated business. Delivery may include face-to-face classes, computer labs, and simulated office tasks that mirror what happens in an Australian accounting firm or finance team.

Because the course is competency-based, you can sometimes progress at your own pace within the enrolment period. The college may offer timetables that include evening or weekend classes, so check the current schedule on the official page. Work-integrated learning or a formal placement is not a standard requirement for this diploma, but some providers arrange industry visits or guest speakers from local accounting practices.

Skills you gain

You finish with the ability to maintain a general ledger, prepare financial statements for a sole trader or small company, process payroll including superannuation and PAYG, lodge BAS statements, and use accounting software such as MYOB or Xero. You also pick up the compliance side: understanding Australian taxation basics, the GST system, and the record-keeping rules that apply to businesses. Communication and teamwork matter too, because you'll often be working with clients or colleagues who don't speak accounting.

Who it suits

This diploma suits school leavers who want a fast route into an office job, career changers moving into finance, or people already working in accounts who need a formal qualification. It also works as a pathway: after completing the diploma, you may get credit towards a bachelor degree in accounting at some Australian universities, though you need to confirm the exact credit arrangement with the receiving institution. If you're 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) post-study work stream after graduating. English entry is typically IELTS Academic 6.0–6.5 overall, or an accepted equivalent. Tuition fees are published on the CRICOS register, and you should check the official page for current intake dates, campus location, and any material requirements.

• Accounts clerk or bookkeeper, maintaining ledgers, reconciling bank accounts, and preparing reports for small businesses, accounting firms, and not-for-profits.
• Accounts payable / accounts receivable officer, processing invoices, chasing payments, and managing supplier or customer accounts in large organisations.
• Payroll officer, calculating wages, superannuation, PAYG withholding, and preparing payroll tax returns.
• Assistant accountant, supporting a qualified accountant with month-end journals, BAS preparation, and financial statement drafting.
• BAS agent (with experience), preparing and lodging Business Activity Statements for clients, if you meet the Tax Practitioners Board requirements.
• Office administrator with finance duties, handling petty cash, invoicing, and basic financial record-keeping in any industry.

These roles are found across Australia in accounting practices, bookkeeping firms, government departments, banks, insurance companies, retail chains, and the construction and health sectors. Many graduates start in entry-level positions and move into more senior accounting work after further study or on-the-job experience.