Advanced Diploma of Leadership and Management

The Advanced Diploma of Leadership and Management at The Peach Institute is a practical, 1.5-year qualification for people who want to step into team leader, supervisor or middle management roles. It sits at diploma level on the Australian Qualifications Framework, so it's below a bachelor degree but above a certificate IV. The course focuses on the day-to-day work of managing people, budgets, projects and operational plans. You'll study units on leading teams, managing performance, developing business plans, overseeing financial resources and building relationships with stakeholders. Assessment is usually a mix of assignments, case studies, role plays and projects based on real workplace scenarios, not just exams.

How the course is structured

Australian vocational qualifications are built from units of competency, each with a set number of credit points. The Peach Institute delivers the advanced diploma over three or four study periods (trimesters or semesters) across 1.5 years. You'll complete a set of core units plus electives that let you focus on areas like change management, risk or customer service. There is no separate honours year at this level, the advanced diploma is a standalone qualification. Many providers include a work placement or simulated workplace project as part of the assessment, so you finish with evidence of what you can actually do, not just what you know.

What you'll learn

You'll learn how to write and implement operational plans, manage budgets and financial reports, lead and motivate a team, handle conflict, and communicate with senior managers and external partners. You'll also cover workplace health and safety responsibilities, risk management and continuous improvement processes. The teaching is hands-on. Expect to work in groups, present to your class, and analyse case studies from Australian organisations. By the end, you should be able to step into a supervisory role and manage a small team or a business unit.

Who it suits and what you need

This course suits people already working in a team leader or coordinator role who want formal recognition, or career changers with some work experience who want to move into management. It also works as a pathway to further study, you may get credit towards a bachelor degree in business or management at some Australian universities. International applicants need to meet English requirements: IELTS Academic 6.0–6.5 overall is the common standard for courses at this level, and The Peach Institute accepts TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, Cambridge C1 Advanced and its own English programmes as equivalents. The Department of Home Affairs sets a separate English threshold for the Student visa. While studying, you can work up to 48 hours per fortnight. After graduating, you may be eligible for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream. Tuition fees are published on the CRICOS register, check the official page for the exact amount and current intake dates.

• Team leader or supervisor, retail, hospitality, manufacturing, logistics, customer service and community organisations
• Office manager or administration manager, small to medium businesses, professional services firms, government agencies
• Operations coordinator, transport, warehousing, facilities management, healthcare administration
• Project officer or coordinator, construction, IT, events, marketing and not-for-profit organisations
• Frontline manager, banking, insurance, telecommunications and call centre operations
• Small business owner or manager, running your own operation or a franchise