Diploma of Business (Hospitality and Tourism Management)

This diploma gives you a working knowledge of how hospitality and tourism businesses run, from front office and food and beverage operations to tour planning, customer service and the money side of things. You study the same broad business basics as any diploma: marketing, accounting, people management, law and communication. Then you apply them to hotels, resorts, restaurants, travel agencies, events and tourism operators. Assessment is a mix of exams, reports, group projects and practical tasks, so you graduate with evidence of what you can actually do.

How the course is structured

Australian diplomas are AQF qualifications, usually one year of full-time study. At AIH Higher Education the Diploma of Business (Hospitality and Tourism Management) is delivered over two or three study periods, depending on the trimester or semester calendar. You enrol in units of study, each worth a set number of credit points. A typical unit runs for one study period and includes lectures, tutorials, workshops and independent learning. To graduate you need to pass all required units and accumulate the credit points set out in the course structure. The CRICOS code for this course is 112648F. Tuition is published on the CRICOS register, check there for the current figure.

What you learn

You cover hospitality and tourism operations, marketing, accounting, business law, management and professional communication. Some units include a work-integrated learning component, such as a placement or industry project, where you spend time in a real hospitality or tourism business and apply what you have learned. That experience counts toward your qualification and gives you something concrete to talk about in job interviews. You also build skills in customer service, rostering, budgeting, event coordination and using industry software.

Who it suits

This diploma suits school leavers who want a practical start in hospitality or tourism, career changers moving into hotels, travel or events, and people already working in the industry who want formal recognition of their skills. It also serves as a pathway into further study, many graduates continue to a bachelor degree with credit for the units they have completed. International students should note the English requirement: IELTS Academic 6.0–6.5 overall is common for courses at this level, with TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, Cambridge C1 Advanced and the university’s own English programmes accepted 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 you finish, you may be eligible for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream. Confirm all details on the official AIH Higher Education page and the CRICOS register.

• Duty manager or supervisor in hotels, motels and resorts
• Front office or guest services coordinator
• Food and beverage supervisor or restaurant manager
• Tour guide or tour operations coordinator
• Event or conference coordinator
• Travel agency consultant
• Customer service manager in hospitality or tourism businesses
• Sales and marketing assistant for tourism operators

These roles are found across Australia in hotels, resorts, restaurants, cafes, event venues, travel agencies, tour operators, airlines, cruise lines and visitor information centres. The diploma also provides a pathway to further study, such as a bachelor degree in hospitality, tourism or business, with credit for completed units.