Advanced Diploma of Leadership and Management

The Advanced Diploma of Leadership and Management is a one-and-a-half-year qualification for people who want to run teams, projects or small operations. It sits at diploma level on the Australian Qualifications Framework, so it is shorter and more practical than a bachelor degree. You study how to plan and manage resources, lead staff, develop workplace policy, manage risk and build relationships with clients and stakeholders. Assessment is largely through projects, reports and case studies rather than exams, and you will often work in groups to solve problems that come up in real organisations.

How the course fits together

The course runs over three or four study periods, depending on whether the provider uses semesters or trimesters. Each unit carries credit points, and you need to pass a set number of units to graduate. The Australian Academy of Hospitality and Management delivers the course with a strong hospitality and service-industry focus, so examples and projects often draw on hotels, restaurants, events and tourism businesses. Some providers include a work placement or industry project as part of the course, which gives you supervised hours in a real workplace and counts towards your qualification. You should check the official course page to confirm the exact unit list, placement requirements and study periods.

What you learn

You build skills in leading a team, managing budgets and operational plans, dealing with conflict, and making decisions under pressure. You also learn how to write business documents, analyse performance data and manage compliance with Australian workplace laws. By the end, you should be able to take responsibility for a department, a shift or a small business unit. The course suits people already working in hospitality or retail who want to move into supervision, and international students who want a practical management qualification without committing to a full degree.

Practical details for international students

International applicants need to show English proficiency. IELTS Academic 6.0 to 6.5 overall is the common standard for undergraduate and coursework postgraduate courses, and some fields such as teaching, nursing, medicine, law and social work require 7.0 to 7.5. TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, Cambridge C1 Advanced and the institution's own English programmes are 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 during term. After graduating, the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream may let you stay and work in Australia, provided you meet the requirements. Tuition fees are published on the CRICOS register under course code 110185D, and you should confirm all details on the official page.

• Team leader or supervisor in hotels, restaurants, clubs and catering companies
• Front office or operations coordinator in hospitality and tourism businesses
• Retail or store manager in Australian retail chains
• Administration or office manager in small and medium enterprises
• Events or functions coordinator
• Customer service manager
• Assistant manager in food and beverage outlets
• Project support officer in business services