Diploma of Human Resource Management

The Diploma of Human Resource Management is a one-year qualification for people who want to work in HR support roles or build a base for further study. It covers the day-to-day work of an HR team: recruiting and onboarding staff, keeping employee records, interpreting workplace relations rules, supporting performance conversations, and helping with pay and entitlements. You will also look at how Australian workplaces handle work health and safety, diversity, and grievance procedures. The course is practical, so expect case studies drawn from real Australian organisations rather than pure theory.

How the course is structured

Australian diplomas are usually delivered over two or three study periods (semesters or trimesters) in a year. You complete a set number of units of study, each with a credit point value, and you need to pass all required units to graduate. Some providers offer a work placement or simulated workplace project as part of the assessment. This diploma sits at Level 5 on the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF), which means it is a stand-alone qualification that can also lead into a bachelor degree with credit for some units. Check the official course page for the exact unit list, credit points, and whether a placement is included.

What you will learn

You will learn to write job advertisements, screen applications, run induction sessions, and maintain HR information systems. You will practise applying the Fair Work Act and modern awards to common workplace issues, and you will learn how to handle complaints and support investigations. The course also builds skills in communication, confidentiality, and using HR software. Assessment is a mix of assignments, projects, and maybe exams, depending on the provider.

Who it suits

This diploma suits school leavers who want a quick entry into office work, people already in admin or team leader roles who want to move into HR, and international students looking for a one-year qualification that meets the Australian study requirement for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream. While you study, a student visa lets you work up to 48 hours per fortnight, which can help you get local HR experience. English requirements are IELTS Academic 6.0–6.5 overall or an accepted equivalent; the Department of Home Affairs also sets its own English threshold for the visa. Tuition is published on the CRICOS register. Confirm all details on the official page.

• Human resources assistant – supporting recruitment, onboarding, and record-keeping in private companies, government agencies, and not-for-profits.
• Recruitment coordinator – scheduling interviews, liaising with candidates, and managing job advertisements for recruitment agencies or in-house teams.
• Payroll officer – processing pay, leave, and superannuation in line with Australian workplace laws.
• Training and development officer – organising staff training sessions and tracking completion.
• Work health and safety administrator – helping maintain safety records and assist with incident reporting.
• HR officer – handling general HR enquiries, maintaining personnel files, and supporting performance review processes.

These roles are found across almost every industry in Australia, including retail, health, construction, education, and public administration. The diploma also gives you a pathway into a bachelor degree in human resource management or business, with credit for some units.