Diploma of Hospitality Management

The Diploma of Hospitality Management at the West Australian Institute of Further Studies is a practical qualification for people who want to work in hotels, restaurants, events, and tourism. It sits at the diploma level on the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF). A diploma is normally one to two years of full-time study, and this one runs for 1.5 years. You will study units of study (subjects) that each carry credit points. The course covers the day-to-day side of hospitality: food and beverage service, front office operations, housekeeping, and food safety. You also learn how to roster staff, manage budgets, handle customer complaints, and lead a small team.

How the course is structured

The diploma is delivered over semesters or trimesters, depending on the intake. Each unit is assessed through practical tasks, written assignments, and sometimes a work placement. Because hospitality is a hands-on industry, many diplomas include a set number of hours in a real venue, a hotel, restaurant, or event space. You might do your placement in a Perth hotel or a catering company, supervised by a manager. The course does not usually include a research thesis; that comes at master's or doctorate level. Instead, you build a portfolio of skills you can show an employer.

What you will learn

By the end, you should be able to manage a shift, control stock, plan menus, and deal with health and safety rules. You will also learn how to use hospitality software for bookings and point-of-sale. The diploma teaches you to think about profitability and customer experience at the same time. Communication matters, you will practise speaking with guests, suppliers, and staff. If you want to move into supervisory roles, this is the kind of training that gets you there.

Who it suits

This diploma suits school leavers who want a fast route into hospitality, and people already working in the industry who need a formal qualification for promotion. It also works as a pathway to a bachelor's degree: many Australian universities give credit for diploma study, so you can start in the second year of a related bachelor programme. International students should note that the Student visa allows up to 48 hours of work per fortnight while studying, and after graduation you may be eligible for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream. English requirements are published on the official page, check the CRICOS register for the exact tuition and entry details.

• Hospitality supervisor or team leader in hotels, resorts, and restaurants
• Food and beverage manager
• Front office manager
• Events coordinator
• Restaurant manager
• Housekeeping supervisor
• Catering manager
• Tourism operations officer

These roles are found across Australia in hotels, pubs, cafes, event venues, aged care catering, and airline catering. The diploma also gives you credit toward further study in business or hospitality management.