Advanced Diploma of Leadership and Management

The Advanced Diploma of Leadership and Management is a practical, work-focused qualification for people who want to run teams, projects and business units. It sits at the diploma/advanced diploma level of the Australian Qualifications Framework, which means it is built around applied skills rather than academic theory. You will study things like leading and managing organisational change, developing and using emotional intelligence, managing finances, leading strategic planning, managing risk, and building high-performing teams. Assessment is typically through reports, presentations, case studies and workplace projects rather than long exams.

How the course is structured

This course runs for 1.5 years. Australian vocational qualifications are usually delivered in semesters or trimesters, and you enrol in units of study that each carry credit points. There is no research thesis at this level. Instead, you may complete a capstone-style project where you apply leadership and management principles to a real or simulated business problem. Work-integrated learning is common in this field. Many providers arrange a professional placement or require you to complete assessments in your current workplace, so you get experience leading people and managing operational tasks while you study.

Skills you will gain

You will learn how to plan and implement operational strategies, manage budgets and financial plans, lead teams through change, and communicate with stakeholders from different backgrounds. The course also covers workplace health and safety, performance management, and how to make ethical decisions under pressure. These are the day-to-day skills that supervisors, team leaders and middle managers use in Australian organisations.

Who it suits

This qualification suits people who already have some work experience and want to move into a team leader, supervisor or manager role. It also suits recent school leavers who want a practical business qualification without committing to a three-year bachelor degree. If you are an international student, you can work up to 48 hours per fortnight while you study, and after you finish you may be eligible for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream. Entry requirements, tuition and start dates are published on the CRICOS register and the provider's official page. Always confirm the latest details there.

• Team Leader or Supervisor
• Office Manager
• Operations Coordinator
• Project Administrator
• Retail or Hospitality Manager
• Business Development Officer
• Frontline Manager in government or community organisations

These roles are common across Australian industries including retail, hospitality, healthcare administration, construction, manufacturing, professional services and government. Employers include small businesses, large corporations, not-for-profits and public sector agencies.