Diploma of Business

The Diploma of Business is a one-year qualification for people who want a grounding in how organisations run, and a credential they can use to get into the second year of a bachelor degree. You study the basics: accounting and budgeting, marketing, business communication, managing people, business law and economics, and how to read a balance sheet without flinching. Assessment is a mix of exams, reports, group projects and presentations, much of it built around Australian case studies and small-business scenarios.

How the course is structured

Australian diplomas sit at Level 5 on the Australian Qualifications Framework, above a certificate IV and below an associate degree. At Howard College Australia and ASMI College the diploma runs over one year full time, usually across two or three study periods, with each unit carrying a set number of credit points. You will typically complete eight units. Credit points from a diploma usually count towards a bachelor degree, so graduates often enter the second year of a three-year degree rather than starting from scratch. Confirm the exact credit arrangements with the institution before you enrol.

What you actually learn

By the end you can prepare a budget, write a business report, run a small team, research a market and explain a contract's main terms. Some providers include a work placement or industry project; ask whether yours does, because Australian employers in business and administration value local experience. You will also practise the writing and presentation skills that show up in every graduate job interview.

Who it suits

This diploma suits school leavers who want a supported first year of tertiary study, career changers moving into office or management roles, and international students who want an Australian qualification with a pathway into a degree. If you plan to study on a Student visa, remember you can work up to 48 hours per fortnight while your course is in session, and the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream may be available after you finish a qualifying higher education course. English requirements are set by the institution and by the Department of Home Affairs separately, check both. Tuition is published on the CRICOS register under course code 108934A, and you should confirm fees, intakes and credit transfer on the official page.

• Administration officer or business support officer in government, health, education or professional services
• Accounts clerk or payroll assistant in an accounting firm or small business
• Customer service or sales coordinator in retail, banking or insurance
• Marketing assistant or social media coordinator in an agency or in-house team
• Team leader or shift supervisor in hospitality, logistics or retail
• Small business owner or operator
• Pathway into a bachelor degree in business, commerce or management, with credit for prior study