Advanced Diploma of Leadership and Management

The Advanced Diploma of Leadership and Management at Ausford College is a practical, one-and-a-half-year qualification for people who want to run teams, projects and business units. It sits above the Diploma of Leadership and Management on the Australian Qualifications Framework and below a bachelor degree. You will study how organisations plan their work, manage budgets and financial plans, lead and develop people, build business relationships, manage risk, and improve operational performance. Expect units on workplace communication, team effectiveness, emotional intelligence, change management and continuous improvement. Assessment is competency-based, so you are judged on whether you can actually do the task to workplace standard, not just whether you can pass an exam.

How the course is structured

Australian vocational qualifications are built from units of competency, each carrying credit points. At this level you will typically complete a set of core units plus electives, usually studied across two or three study periods a year. Delivery is often a mix of face-to-face classes, workshops and online learning, with some providers offering evening or weekend options. Because the course is competency-based, you may be able to have relevant work experience or prior study recognised through a credit transfer or recognition of prior learning process. Confirm the exact unit list, study periods and credit-point structure on the official Ausford College page and the CRICOS register (course code 113825H).

Skills you will gain

You will learn to write business plans, lead meetings, manage performance conversations, prepare budgets, analyse operational data, and implement workplace policies and procedures. The focus is on the skills employers ask for in supervisory and middle-management roles: delegating, giving feedback, managing conflict, and keeping a team on track when priorities change. You will also practise presenting to stakeholders and working within Australian workplace legislation, including work health and safety and fair work requirements. Many students find the assessment tasks mirror the daily work of a team leader or operations coordinator.

Who it suits

This course suits people already working in a supervisory role who want formal recognition, career changers moving into management, and international students looking for a shorter, job-focused qualification rather than a three-year degree. It also works as a pathway into a bachelor degree in business or management, with credit for completed units. If you are an international student, you can work up to 48 hours per fortnight while your course is in session, and you may be eligible for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream after you finish, depending on your circumstances. English requirements for entry are typically IELTS Academic 6.0–6.5 overall or an accepted equivalent, though the Department of Home Affairs sets its own English threshold for the student visa. Tuition fees are published on the CRICOS register. Always check the official page for current entry requirements, unit details and fees before applying.

• Team leader or supervisor, retail, hospitality, logistics, manufacturing, community services
• Operations coordinator, small to medium businesses, franchises, not-for-profits
• Office manager, professional services, healthcare practices, education providers
• Project support officer, construction, IT, government agencies
• Business development officer, sales and account management teams
• Frontline manager, banking, insurance, call centres, customer service

Australian industries that hire graduates include retail and wholesale, accommodation and food services, transport and logistics, health and community services, government administration, and professional services. Some students use the qualification to move into a bachelor degree in business or management with credit for prior study.