Diploma of Marketing and Communication

The Diploma of Marketing and Communication at Salisbury College Australia is a one-year qualification for people who want to work in marketing and communications without committing to a full degree. You study how organisations promote themselves, how to write for different audiences, how campaigns are planned and measured, and how digital channels fit alongside traditional media. Expect practical work: drafting copy, building social media content, interpreting campaign results, and presenting ideas to a group.

How the course is structured

Australian diplomas sit at Level 5 on the Australian Qualifications Framework, below a bachelor degree and above a certificate IV. This one runs for one year of full-time study, usually across two semesters or trimesters. You enrol in units of study, each worth credit points, and you need to pass the required units to graduate. Assessment is a mix of assignments, presentations, group projects and exams rather than one final test. Some diplomas include a work placement or industry project; where that applies, the college arranges or approves it, so check the official course page for the current structure.

What you actually learn

Core skills include consumer behaviour, marketing research, campaign planning, brand messaging, public relations writing, and digital marketing across search, social and email. You also build the soft skills employers ask for: clear writing, teamwork, time management and basic data literacy. Teaching is face-to-face or blended, with classes run by people who have worked in marketing and communication roles. The diploma is a standalone qualification, and depending on the college's agreements, completed units may count as credit towards a bachelor degree if you choose to continue studying.

Who it suits

This course suits school leavers who want a practical start, career changers moving into marketing or communications, and people already working in admin, sales or customer service who want formal recognition. It also works as a pathway for international students: you can apply for a Student visa, study full time, and work up to 48 hours per fortnight while your course is in session. After graduating, the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream may be available if you meet the requirements. English proficiency is required for international applicants, typically IELTS Academic 6.0–6.5 overall or an accepted equivalent such as TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic or Cambridge C1 Advanced. Tuition is published on the CRICOS register, and you should confirm fees, intake dates and unit details on the official page before applying.

• Marketing assistant or coordinator, supporting campaign delivery, scheduling content and reporting on results in agencies, retail, property, education and not-for-profits.
• Social media assistant, managing day-to-day posts, community replies and basic analytics for brands and small businesses.
• Communications assistant, writing newsletters, media releases and internal updates for corporate, government or community organisations.
• Digital marketing assistant, helping with search, email and paid social campaigns under a senior marketer.
• Sales and customer engagement roles, using marketing knowledge in business development, account support and customer experience teams.
• Events and promotions assistant, coordinating activations, expos and sponsor communications.

These roles appear across Australian industries including advertising and media agencies, retail and e-commerce, tourism, professional services, health and community organisations, and government communications teams. The diploma also gives you credit towards further study if you decide to continue to a bachelor degree.