Diploma of Leadership and Management

The Diploma of Leadership and Management at the Queensland Academy of Technology is a one-year qualification for people who want to step into a team leader or supervisor role, or who are already there and want formal recognition of what they do. It sits at the diploma level on the Australian Qualifications Framework, which means it's practical, job-focused and sits below a bachelor degree. You'll cover the basics of managing people and operations: leading teams, managing performance, planning and monitoring work, dealing with conflict, supporting workplace relationships and contributing to continuous improvement. Assessment is competency-based, so you're judged on whether you can actually do the tasks, not just write about them.

How the course is structured

Australian diplomas are made up of units of study, each carrying credit points, and you'll typically complete them across two or three study periods in a year. Delivery at QAT is face-to-face on campus in Brisbane, with some blended learning. There's usually no separate honours year at diploma level, but if you later go on to a bachelor degree, your diploma units may count as credit towards it. Ask the academy how much credit you'd receive for the specific degree you have in mind.

What you'll actually do

Expect a mix of classroom work, group projects and case studies drawn from real Australian workplaces. Some units involve simulated workplace tasks where you plan a team's work, run a meeting, give feedback to a struggling staff member or work through a customer complaint. QAT may arrange work placement or industry projects depending on the cohort, so check the current course page for what's available when you enrol. The skills you build are the ones employers ask for at supervisor level: giving clear instructions, rostering and allocating work, keeping records, handling difficult conversations and reporting on team performance.

Who it suits

This diploma works well for school leavers who want a fast, practical start rather than a three-year degree, for people already working in retail, hospitality, aged care or administration who want to move up, and for international students who want an Australian qualification that leads to work. If you're an international student, you'll need to meet English requirements, IELTS Academic 6.0–6.5 overall is the common standard, with TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic and Cambridge C1 Advanced accepted as equivalents. The Department of Home Affairs also sets its own English threshold for the Student visa, so check both. Once you're studying, you can work up to 48 hours per fortnight during term. After you finish, the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream may be an option if you meet the requirements. Tuition is published on the CRICOS register under course code 104171E. Confirm all details, including intake dates and credit arrangements, on the official page before you apply.

• Team leader or supervisor, retail, hospitality, call centres, warehousing and logistics.
• Office or administration manager, small businesses, professional services, government agencies.
• Front-line manager, aged care, disability services, community organisations.
• Shift manager, food and beverage, tourism, events.
• Coordinator, projects, rosters, customer service teams.
• Small business owner or operator, running your own shop, trade or service business.

These roles are advertised across Australia in health and community services, retail, tourism, construction support and public administration. A diploma can also be a stepping stone into a bachelor degree in business or management, with credit for the units you've completed.