Diploma of Applied Business (Fashion Marketing)

The Diploma of Applied Business (Fashion Marketing) at Collarts is a 40-week course that sits at the diploma level on the Australian Qualifications Framework. It gives you a working knowledge of how fashion brands sell, promote and position themselves in a crowded market. You'll study consumer behaviour, marketing principles, visual merchandising, digital and social media promotion, and the business side of retail and wholesale fashion. Assessment is practical, building campaign plans, pitching ideas, and analysing real brands rather than just memorising theory.

How the course is structured

Australian diplomas are usually delivered over two or three trimesters or semesters, with each unit of study carrying a set number of credit points. You'll complete a sequence of core units covering marketing fundamentals, fashion business operations and communication, plus electives that let you follow an interest such as styling, event promotion or e-commerce. The diploma is a stand-alone qualification, but many students use it as a pathway into a bachelor degree, with credit points often counted towards further study. Confirm the exact unit list and credit arrangements on the official Collarts page or the CRICOS register entry for course 096729J.

Skills you build

You'll learn to put together a marketing plan, read sales and audience data, write copy that suits a brand's voice, and manage a social media calendar. Group projects mirror how fashion marketing teams actually work, briefs, deadlines, client feedback. You also pick up the basics of budgeting, trend forecasting and ethical sourcing, which matter to Australian labels selling locally and overseas. By the end, you should be able to walk into a small brand or agency and contribute from week one.

Who it suits

This course suits school leavers who want a practical start without committing to a three-year degree, career changers moving into fashion or retail, and people already working in stores or online shops who want formal training. It's also a sensible first step for international students planning to continue to a bachelor degree in Australia. If you're an international applicant, you'll need to meet the English requirement, IELTS Academic 6.0–6.5 overall is the common standard for courses at this level, with TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, Cambridge C1 Advanced and Collarts' own English programmes accepted as equivalents. The Department of Home Affairs sets a separate English threshold for the Student visa itself. While studying, a student visa generally allows 48 hours of work per fortnight during term. After graduating, you may be eligible for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream, depending on your circumstances. Tuition is published on the CRICOS register, check there and on the official Collarts page for current fees, intake dates and unit details.

• Fashion marketing assistant, supporting campaign delivery for labels, retailers and agencies in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.
• Social media coordinator, running content calendars and community engagement for fashion and lifestyle brands.
• Retail buyer's assistant, helping select ranges and manage stock for department stores and boutiques.
• Visual merchandiser, planning in-store displays and promotional layouts.
• E-commerce coordinator, managing product listings, email marketing and online promotions.
• Public relations assistant, coordinating media kits, influencer gifting and event support for fashion PR agencies.
• Wholesale sales support, liaising with stockists and preparing line sheets for Australian fashion wholesalers.

Industries that hire include retail fashion, online retail, marketing and advertising agencies, public relations firms, event management, and the wholesale apparel sector. Many graduates start in assistant or coordinator roles and move into brand management, buying or digital marketing after a few years. The diploma also provides a pathway into bachelor degrees at Australian institutions, where completed units may count towards your qualification.