Advanced Diploma of Hospitality Management

The Advanced Diploma of Hospitality Management is a practical qualification for people who want to run hospitality operations, not just work in them. You cover front office, food and beverage, housekeeping, and the business side of things: rostering, budgets, stock control, and leading a team. The course is delivered over 26 weeks, so it is short and focused. Assessment is competency-based, meaning you show you can do the tasks to the standard employers expect, rather than sitting a final exam at the end of a semester.

How the course is structured

Australian vocational qualifications are built from units of competency, each with a set number of credit points. This advanced diploma sits at the diploma level on the Australian Qualifications Framework, which means it is below a bachelor degree but above a certificate IV. It is not a university degree and does not include a research thesis or capstone project. Instead, you complete a set of core and elective units that cover both operational skills and management responsibilities. Because the course runs for 26 weeks, it is likely to be delivered in one or two study periods rather than the full semesters you would see in a three-year bachelor degree.

What you actually study

You learn how to manage a hospitality business day to day. That includes preparing and monitoring budgets, managing physical assets, recruiting and inducting staff, and handling customer complaints. You also cover compliance: responsible service of alcohol, food safety, and workplace health and safety. Some units may involve a work placement or simulated service environment, which is common in hospitality training because the industry hires on demonstrated skill. The course is taught at the West Australian Institute of Further Studies, so you are training in Perth, a city with a busy tourism, events, and food sector.

Who it suits

This qualification suits people who already have some hospitality experience and want to move into a supervisory or management role. It also works for career changers who want a fast, practical entry into the industry. If you are an international student, you can work up to 48 hours per fortnight while you study, and after you finish you may be eligible for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream, depending on your circumstances. English requirements are set by the institution and the Department of Home Affairs; check the official page for the exact scores and any updates to the CRICOS registration.

• Hospitality supervisor or team leader in hotels, resorts, and restaurants
• Food and beverage manager
• Front office manager
• Banquet or events coordinator
• Cafe or restaurant manager
• Club or pub duty manager
• Housekeeping supervisor
• Small hospitality business operator

These roles are found across Australia in hotels, resorts, restaurants, cafes, clubs, catering companies, and event venues. The qualification also gives you credit toward further study, such as a bachelor degree in hospitality or business, if you decide to keep going.