Diploma of Automotive Management

The Diploma of Automotive Management is a one-year qualification for people who want to run the business side of a workshop, dealership or automotive service operation rather than spend their career under a bonnet. You study how a repair business actually makes money: quoting and costing jobs, managing parts inventory and suppliers, rostering technicians, workplace safety, customer service and complaints, and the compliance paperwork that comes with running a registered automotive business in Australia. Expect units in business administration, small business finance, team leadership and operational planning, taught with automotive examples rather than generic case studies.

As a diploma, this sits at the same AQF level as the first year of a bachelor degree, but it is a vocational qualification, so the emphasis is on doing rather than theory. Delivery is typically over two semesters or three trimesters of full-time study, made up of units of study each carrying credit points. Assessment is mostly practical: build a business plan for a workshop, cost a job sheet, work through a WHS scenario, present a staffing plan. Many diplomas include a work placement or simulated workplace component, because the skills only make sense when you are dealing with a real parts order or an unhappy customer. Check the official course page for the exact unit list, placement hours and whether credit is available for prior study or trade experience.

You finish with skills employers in the sector ask for: reading a profit and loss statement for a small business, managing stock and supplier relationships, supervising a small team, and understanding the consumer law and fair trading obligations that apply to vehicle repairs. It suits people who already hold a trade qualification and want to move into supervision or open their own shop, and also suits school leavers or career changers who want a business qualification with a clear industry focus. If you are an international student, 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 afterwards depending on your circumstances.

English requirements for international applicants are set out by the institution. IELTS Academic 6.0–6.5 overall is the common standard for undergraduate and coursework postgraduate entry in Australia, with higher scores for teaching, nursing, medicine, law and social work. TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, Cambridge C1 Advanced and the institution's own English programmes are accepted as equivalents, and the Department of Home Affairs sets its own separate English threshold for the Student visa. Tuition is published on the CRICOS register. Confirm entry requirements, unit structure and start dates on the official page before you apply.

• Automotive service manager, running the day-to-day operation of a workshop or service centre, including job scheduling, quoting and staff rostering.
• Workshop supervisor or team leader, overseeing technicians, managing workflow and handling escalations.
• Parts and inventory manager, ordering, storing and controlling stock, and managing supplier relationships.
• Service advisor, the customer-facing role that explains repairs, prepares estimates and manages bookings.
• Small business owner or operator, running an independent repair shop, mobile mechanic business or detailing operation.
• Fleet coordinator, managing maintenance schedules and costs for company or government vehicle fleets.
• Dealership administration roles, warranty claims, compliance records and aftersales support.

Hiring industries include automotive retail and repair, fleet and logistics operators, mining and resources support services, equipment dealerships, and small business services. The qualification also gives you credit toward further study in business or management if you want to keep going.