Diploma of International Tourism and Hotel Management

The Diploma of International Tourism and Hotel Management is a one-year qualification delivered by Griffith College, QIBT, and listed on CRICOS under course code 109015K. It sits at the diploma level on the Australian Qualifications Framework, which means it is a shorter, more applied qualification than a bachelor degree. The diploma is built around units of study, each carrying a set number of credit points, and is typically delivered across trimesters. That structure matters if you are planning to move into a bachelor degree later, because the credit points you earn can count towards your further studies, subject to the receiving institution's rules. You should confirm the exact unit list, trimester schedule and credit point values with Griffith College directly.

What you actually study

The coursework covers the operational and business side of tourism and hotels. You can expect to work through subjects such as tourism and hospitality operations, front office and accommodation management, food and beverage service, marketing for tourism, event coordination, and the financial and people-management basics that sit behind any hospitality business. Assessment usually combines written work, practical tasks, group projects and presentations rather than exams alone, because the industry hires on how you handle real situations. Some diploma programmes in this field include a work-integrated learning component or a professional placement, where you spend time in a hotel, resort, tour operation or events business. Whether Griffith College's diploma includes placement, and how long it runs, is something to check on the official course page.

Skills you come out with

By the end, you should be able to read a roster and a budget, handle a guest complaint without escalating it, put together a marketing plan for a property or destination, and understand how tourism businesses are regulated and run in Australia. You will also build the practical habits the sector expects: customer service under pressure, teamwork across shifts, and clear written and spoken communication with guests and colleagues from many backgrounds. If you continue into a bachelor degree, those skills and credit points give you a running start rather than a standing one.

Who it suits

This diploma suits school leavers who want a practical entry point into tourism and hotels, career changers moving from retail, food service or administration into hospitality management, and international students who want an Australian qualification before deciding whether to continue to a degree. It also works for people already working in hotels or tour operations who want formal recognition of what they do. English proficiency is required for international applicants, with IELTS Academic 6.0–6.5 overall as the common standard for undergraduate and coursework postgraduate study, and TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, Cambridge C1 Advanced and the university's own English programmes accepted as equivalents. The Department of Home Affairs sets a separate English threshold for the Student visa itself. Tuition is published on the CRICOS register, and you should confirm current fees, intake dates and English requirements on the official Griffith College page before applying.

• Front office and reception roles in hotels, resorts and serviced apartments, where you check guests in, manage bookings and handle enquiries.
• Food and beverage attendant or supervisor in restaurants, bars, hotel outlets and function venues.
• Tour guide or tour operations assistant with inbound tour operators, day-tour companies and attraction businesses.
• Events and conference assistant supporting weddings, corporate meetings and conferences at venues and hotels.
• Reservations and sales agent for hotels, airlines, cruise lines and travel agencies.
• Housekeeping supervisor or rooms coordinator in accommodation properties.
• Visitor information officer with local councils, regional tourism organisations and visitor centres.

Australia's tourism and hospitality sector employs people across capital cities and regional areas, from large hotel groups and resort operators to small tour businesses, wineries, and events companies. Many graduates use the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream to gain Australian work experience after completing their studies, and international students can work up to 48 hours per fortnight while their course is in session. Always check current visa conditions with the Department of Home Affairs.