Diploma of Business

The Diploma of Business at ICHM is a one-year qualification that introduces you to how organisations actually run. You'll study core areas like management, marketing, accounting, economics and business communication. The focus is practical: how to read a balance sheet, how to put together a marketing plan, how to work in a team and how to present a case to a manager. ICHM is known for its business and hospitality management teaching, and the diploma draws on that background.

The course runs over 48 weeks. Australian diplomas are usually made up of units of study, each with a set number of credit points, and you'll be assessed through assignments, exams, group projects and presentations. Some diplomas include a work placement or industry project; check the official course page for what ICHM arranges. The diploma sits at Level 5 on the Australian Qualifications Framework, which means it's a standalone qualification and also a pathway. If you finish with good results, you may be able to get credit towards a bachelor degree, usually with a semester or more of study recognised. Confirm the exact credit arrangements with ICHM before you enrol.

You'll come out with skills employers ask for in entry-level business roles: writing clearly, working with numbers, using common business software, understanding how marketing and finance fit together, and handling basic project work. The course suits school leavers who want a supported start to tertiary study, people changing careers, and international students who want an Australian qualification before deciding whether to continue to a degree.

For international students, this diploma is registered on CRICOS (course code 108391E), which means it's approved for overseas students studying in Australia. You'll need to meet ICHM's English requirements and the Department of Home Affairs' separate English threshold for a Student visa. While you study, your visa generally lets you work up to 48 hours per fortnight once your course has started. After you graduate, you may be eligible for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream, depending on your circumstances. Tuition fees are published on the CRICOS register, and you should check the official ICHM page for current unit details, intake dates and entry requirements.

• Business administrator or office coordinator in professional services, retail or hospitality
• Accounts or payroll assistant in small and medium businesses
• Marketing assistant or customer service team member
• Team leader or supervisor in retail, tourism or hospitality
• Pathway to further study: credit towards a bachelor degree in business, commerce or hospitality management