Advanced Diploma of Hospitality Management (Hospitality Management)

The Advanced Diploma of Hospitality Management is a two-year vocational qualification delivered by Apex Australia Vocational Education. It sits at the advanced diploma level of the Australian Qualifications Framework, one step above a diploma and below a bachelor degree. The course is built around the day-to-day realities of running food and beverage outlets, front office, housekeeping, events and small hospitality businesses. You will study units covering operational planning, financial performance, rostering and staff supervision, food safety, responsible service of alcohol, marketing, and customer experience. Assessment is practical as well as written, so you spend time in simulated service environments and on placement in real venues.

How the course is structured

Australian vocational qualifications are made up of units of competency, each carrying credit points. A full-time load is typically four units per semester, with two semesters a year. The advanced diploma usually includes a work-integrated learning component, often a supervised placement in a hotel, restaurant, club, catering company or events business. Where a capstone is included, it takes the form of an industry project rather than a research thesis. You might be asked to design a menu and cost it, build a roster for a busy period, or prepare a business plan for a new venue. Credit may be granted for prior study or relevant work experience, assessed unit by unit against the qualification's rules.

Skills you build

Graduates leave able to lead a shift, manage a budget, handle complaints, train new staff and keep a venue compliant with liquor, food safety and workplace health and safety rules. You learn to read a profit and loss statement, control stock and wastage, and deal with suppliers. Communication matters as much as technical skill: you will practise briefing a team, writing an incident report and negotiating with a difficult customer. The qualification also covers the legal side of employing people, including fair work obligations and anti-discrimination requirements.

Who it suits

This course suits people already working in hospitality who want to move into supervisory or management roles, and school leavers who prefer hands-on training to a three-year degree. It also works for international students who want an Australian qualification with a strong practical focus. English proficiency must be evidenced before enrolment; IELTS Academic 6.0–6.5 overall is the common standard for coursework at this level, with TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, Cambridge C1 Advanced and the provider's own English programmes accepted as equivalents. The Department of Home Affairs sets a separate English threshold for the Student visa. While studying, a student visa generally allows 48 hours of work per fortnight, which many hospitality students use to gain paid experience. After completing the qualification, the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream may be available, depending on your circumstances. Tuition is published on the CRICOS register under course code 112320H. Confirm current entry requirements, unit offerings and fees on the official page before applying.

• Duty manager or shift supervisor in hotels, pubs, clubs and restaurants
• Food and beverage manager in hotels, resorts and function centres
• Front office supervisor in accommodation properties
• Events coordinator for venues, caterers and conference centres
• Restaurant or café manager in independent and chain operations
• Housekeeping supervisor in hotels and serviced apartments
• Banquet or functions coordinator in clubs and event businesses
• Small business owner or operator in cafés, catering and hospitality services

Australian industries that hire these roles include accommodation, food and beverage service, clubs and pubs, event management, tourism, airlines and catering, and aged care and hospital food services. The qualification also provides a pathway into further study, such as a bachelor degree in hospitality, tourism or business, with credit possible for completed units.