Advanced Diploma of Marketing and Communication

The Advanced Diploma of Marketing and Communication at Harbourside Institute of Australia is a practical, 1.5-year qualification for people who want to work in marketing and communications roles. You'll study how to develop marketing plans, manage campaigns, conduct market research, and create content for different channels. The course also covers communication strategy, stakeholder engagement, and how to measure whether a campaign actually worked.

How the course is structured

This is an Australian qualification at the diploma level, so it's built around units of study rather than a single major. Each unit has a credit point value, and you need to complete the required number of units to graduate. The course runs over 1.5 years, which usually means three or four study periods depending on whether the institute uses semesters or trimesters. Assessment is typically a mix of practical projects, reports, presentations, and group work, the kind of tasks you'd actually do in a marketing team.

What you'll learn

You'll come out knowing how to put together a marketing plan from scratch, brief a designer or copywriter, run a social media or email campaign, and report on results. There's also a focus on professional communication, writing clearly, presenting to clients, and working with people from different backgrounds. These are the skills employers ask for in entry-level marketing and communications jobs.

Who it suits

This course suits school leavers who want a practical qualification without committing to a three-year bachelor degree, as well as people already working in admin, sales, or customer service who want to move into marketing. It's also a good option if you're returning to study and want a shorter pathway. If you're an international student, you'll need to meet the English requirement, IELTS Academic 6.0–6.5 overall is the common standard for courses at this level, though you should confirm the exact score on the official page. While you study, your Student visa lets you work up to 48 hours per fortnight. After you finish, you may be eligible for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream, which gives you time to gain Australian work experience. Tuition fees are published on the CRICOS register, check there for the current amount. The CRICOS course code is 104829A.

• Marketing coordinator, supporting campaign delivery, tracking budgets, and coordinating with agencies in retail, technology, or not-for-profit organisations.
• Social media assistant, scheduling posts, responding to comments, and reporting on engagement for brands or government departments.
• Communications officer, writing media releases, internal newsletters, and website content for corporations, councils, or community organisations.
• Digital marketing assistant, helping run email marketing, search ads, and analytics dashboards for small businesses or marketing agencies.
• Events and promotions assistant, organising launches, trade shows, and community events for tourism, hospitality, or membership associations.
• Sales and marketing support, preparing proposals, maintaining customer databases, and assisting the sales team in manufacturing, property, or professional services.

These roles are common across Australian industries including retail, tourism, health, education, government, and the creative sector. Many graduates start in assistant or coordinator positions and move into specialist or management roles after a few years.