Diploma of Leadership and Management

The Diploma of Leadership and Management is a 26-week qualification for people who want to step into team leader, supervisor or front-line management roles. It focuses on the practical side of managing: leading a team, planning and monitoring work, managing budgets and resources, building relationships with staff and clients, and handling the difficult conversations that come with responsibility for other people. You will look at how Australian organisations operate, what workplace law and work health and safety mean for a manager, and how to use emotional intelligence when you are leading a group with different personalities and pressures.

How the qualification is structured

This is an AQF diploma, which sits between a certificate IV and an associate degree. It is delivered over 26 weeks, and like most Australian vocational qualifications it is built from units of competency. Each unit has a national code and a credit value, and you need to complete all core and elective units to graduate. Assessment is competency-based: you are judged on whether you can do the task to the standard, not on a percentage mark. That usually means a mix of written tasks, projects, role-plays, case studies and observation of your performance. Many diplomas include a work placement or a simulated workplace project, and you should confirm the exact placement hours and unit list on the official CRICOS entry and the college's own course page.

Skills you build

By the end you should be able to write an operational plan, allocate work and monitor progress, manage a budget, recruit and induct staff, give feedback, resolve conflict, and report to senior management. You will also practise presenting information, using business software, and applying risk and compliance requirements. The emphasis is on what you can actually do in a workplace, which is why graduates often move into a supervisory role in retail, hospitality, aged care, logistics, construction, or an office administration team.

Who it suits

This diploma suits people already working who want formal recognition before going for a promotion, career changers who need a quick, job-focused qualification, and international students who want an Australian qualification that can lead into a bachelor degree with credit. Because it is only 26 weeks, it is a shorter commitment than a degree, and it can be a stepping stone. If you are an international student, remember that your Student visa generally lets you work up to 48 hours per fortnight while your course is in session, and after you finish you may be eligible for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream, depending on your circumstances. English requirements for entry are typically IELTS Academic 6.0–6.5 overall, with TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, Cambridge C1 Advanced and the college's own English programmes accepted as equivalents. The Department of Home Affairs sets a separate English threshold for the visa itself. Tuition is published on the CRICOS register, and you should check the official page for current fees, intake dates and unit details.

• Team leader or supervisor in retail, hospitality, call centres, aged care, disability services and warehousing.
• Office or administration manager in small and medium businesses, professional services firms and local government.
• Front-line manager in logistics, construction, manufacturing and facilities management.
• Coordinator or duty manager in tourism, events, health administration and community organisations.
• Small business owner or operator who needs formal management skills to run a team and budget.
• Pathway into further study such as a bachelor degree in business, management or commerce, often with credit for completed units.