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 days under a bonnet. You'll study how a repair business actually makes money: quoting and costing jobs, managing parts inventory and suppliers, rostering technicians, handling customer complaints, and reading the numbers that tell you whether a workshop is profitable. Units typically cover business administration, financial record keeping, team leadership, workplace safety and the compliance rules that apply to automotive businesses in Australia.

As a diploma, this sits at the same AQF level as the first year of a bachelor degree, but it is delivered as a stand-alone vocational qualification. Expect a full-time load spread across semesters or trimesters, with each unit carrying a set number of credit points. Assessment is usually a mix of written tasks, case studies based on real workshop scenarios and practical projects. Some providers build in a work placement or industry project so you spend time in an actual automotive business applying what you've learned. If you later want to continue studying, credit from a diploma can sometimes be counted towards a bachelor degree in business or management, though you'll need to confirm the exact credit points with the receiving institution.

What you take away is practical. You should finish able to prepare a job costing, manage a parts ordering system, lead a small team of tradespeople, keep workplace records that satisfy regulators, and explain technical information to customers without jargon. You'll also get a working knowledge of Australian workplace law and work health and safety obligations as they apply to automotive workplaces.

This course suits people already in the trade who want to move into a supervisor or manager role, front-of-house staff in dealerships who want to step up, and international students looking for a short, industry-focused qualification in Australia. International students study on a Student visa, which generally allows 48 hours of work per fortnight while the course is in session, and may be eligible for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream after graduating. English entry is usually IELTS Academic 6.0–6.5 overall or an accepted equivalent. Tuition is listed on the CRICOS register. Check the official page for current unit lists, intake dates and entry requirements before you apply.

• Workshop supervisor or service manager in a mechanical repair business
• Parts and inventory coordinator for a dealership or parts distributor
• Service advisor handling bookings, quotes and customer liaison
• Automotive sales or aftersales consultant
• Fleet maintenance coordinator for logistics, government or mining operations
• Small business owner or operator of an automotive service centre
• Assistant manager in a tyre, crash repair or detailing business

These roles sit across Australia's automotive retail, repair and fleet sectors, from suburban workshops to dealership groups and large fleet operators in transport, resources and government.