Diploma of Business (International Tourism)

The Diploma of Business (International Tourism) is a one-year qualification that gets you ready to work in the travel and tourism industry, or to move into a bachelor's degree with credit. It's offered through the International College of Management, Sydney and related institutions, and you'll find the official details on the CRICOS register under course code 0101125.

What you'll study

You'll cover the basics of business, things like marketing, customer service, finance and how organisations work, with a focus on tourism. That means looking at how travel agencies, tour operators, hotels, airlines and event businesses actually run. You'll learn about destination marketing, visitor experiences, tourism operations and the legal and sustainability issues that shape the industry. Assessment is usually a mix of exams, assignments, group projects and practical tasks, and you might get the chance to work on real tourism scenarios or take part in an industry placement.

How it's structured

This diploma is a full-time course that runs for one year. It's made up of units of study, each with a set number of credit points. You'll typically study eight units over two or three trimesters, depending on the institution. The exact units and credit points are listed on the official course page, so check there for the current structure. If you complete the diploma, you may be able to get credit towards a bachelor's degree, which means you could start in the second year of a related program.

What you'll gain

You'll come out with practical skills in customer service, communication, problem-solving and teamwork, all things tourism employers look for. You'll also understand how tourism businesses make money, how to market destinations, and how to deal with the day-to-day challenges of the industry. The course is taught in English, and you'll need to meet the English requirements: IELTS Academic 6.0–6.5 overall (or equivalent) is the usual standard for undergraduate and coursework postgraduate courses, though some fields like teaching, nursing, medicine, law and social work require 7.0–7.5. The Department of Home Affairs also sets its own English threshold for the Student visa.

Who it suits

This diploma is a good fit if you want to get into the tourism industry quickly, or if you're not quite ready for a full bachelor's degree and want a supported pathway. It's also useful if you're already working in tourism and want a formal qualification to move up. International students can study on a Student visa, which lets you work up to 48 hours per fortnight while your course is in session. After you finish, you may be eligible for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream, which lets you stay and work in Australia for a period. Always confirm the details on the official CRICOS page and with the institution before you enrol.

• Tourism operations assistant
• Travel consultant
• Visitor information officer
• Hotel front office supervisor
• Event coordinator
• Destination marketing assistant
• Tour guide
• Airline customer service agent
• Reservations agent

These roles are found in hotels, resorts, travel agencies, tour operators, airlines, cruise lines, event management companies, tourism boards and visitor centres across Australia. The diploma also gives you a pathway into further study, such as a bachelor's degree in tourism, business or hospitality, where you may receive credit for your completed units.