Diploma of Hospitality Management

The Diploma of Hospitality Management at Sunbeam International College is a practical qualification for people who want to work in hotels, restaurants, events, and tourism. You learn how hospitality businesses actually run: rostering, budgeting, stock control, food and beverage service, front office operations, and how to lead a team during a busy service. Assessment is mostly hands-on, so you might plan a menu, cost it, run a function, and review the numbers afterwards.

How the qualification is structured

The diploma takes 1.5 years of full-time study. Australian vocational diplomas are built from units of competency, each with a set credit value, and you need to complete all required units to graduate. Delivery is usually split into study periods across the year, with a mix of classroom sessions, kitchen or service practicals, and supervised work in a real hospitality setting. Some units are assessed on the job, so you may do shifts in a hotel, restaurant, or events venue as part of your training. There is no thesis at this level; the final stage is usually a work placement or a simulated hospitality project where you apply everything you have learned.

What you will learn

By the end, you should be able to write a roster that meets wage budgets, handle customer complaints without escalating them, manage supplier orders and stock levels, follow food safety and liquor licensing rules, and supervise a small team. You also pick up the paperwork side of hospitality: financial reports, marketing activities, and workplace health and safety. These are the skills employers ask for when they hire duty managers, shift supervisors, and team leaders.

Who it suits

This diploma suits school leavers who want a fast route into hospitality, career changers who have worked in service and want a formal management qualification, and international students who plan to work in Australia's tourism and accommodation sector. It also gives you a pathway into a bachelor degree in hospitality, tourism, or business, with credit for your completed units. English proficiency is required for international applicants; the published standard for this level is IELTS Academic 6.0–6.5 overall, with TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, Cambridge C1 Advanced, and the college's own English programmes accepted as equivalents. The Department of Home Affairs sets a separate English threshold for the Student visa. While studying, a student visa usually allows 48 hours of work per fortnight, which is useful in a field that hires casually. After graduating, the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream may be available if you meet the requirements. Tuition is published on the CRICOS register, and you should confirm fees, intake dates, and unit details on the official page before applying.

• Duty manager or shift supervisor in hotels, resorts, and motels
• Food and beverage supervisor or restaurant team leader
• Front office supervisor or guest services coordinator
• Events and functions coordinator in conference centres and clubs
• Banquet or catering operations supervisor
• Hospitality small business owner or operator

These roles are found across Australia's accommodation, food service, pubs, clubs, and events industries, from city hotels to regional tourism operators.