Diploma of Hospitality Management

The Diploma of Hospitality Management is a two-year qualification at the diploma level, taught by the Australian College of Technical Studies. It covers the practical and supervisory side of running hospitality operations: food and beverage service, front office and accommodation, food safety, rostering and staff supervision, budgeting and cost control, and the legal responsibilities that come with serving alcohol and managing a venue. You learn how a kitchen, a bar, a restaurant or a hotel front desk actually runs, and what a supervisor or duty manager has to do when things go wrong.

How the qualification is structured

Diplomas sit at level 5 on the Australian Qualifications Framework, below a bachelor degree and above a certificate III or IV. Delivery is usually split into study periods across the year, and the course is made up of units of competency, each carrying credit points. Assessment is a mix of theory and practical tasks. Because hospitality is a hands-on industry, you can expect a work placement or industry-based training component, where you spend time in a real venue putting service, safety and supervision skills into practice under someone who does the job for a living. Confirm the exact unit list, placement hours and study periods on the official CRICOS entry and the college's own course page, because these details vary between providers.

Skills you come away with

By the end you should be able to run a shift, manage stock and costs, roster and lead a small team, handle customer complaints, and keep a venue compliant with health, safety and liquor rules. You also pick up the softer side: talking to customers, dealing with pressure during a busy service, and keeping a team calm. These are the things employers actually test you on in a trial shift.

Who it suits

This diploma suits people who want to move into supervisory or management roles rather than stay on the floor, and people already working in hospitality who need a formal qualification to step up. It also works as a pathway into further study, with credit often granted towards a bachelor degree in hospitality, tourism or business management. International students should note that a Student visa allows 48 hours of work per fortnight while your course is in session, and the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream may be available after you finish, depending on your circumstances. Check the official CRICOS page and the college for current fees, intake dates and English requirements, which for this level are commonly IELTS Academic 6.0 to 6.5 overall or an accepted equivalent.

• Duty manager or shift supervisor in a hotel, restaurant, pub or club
• Food and beverage supervisor or restaurant manager
• Front office or reservations supervisor
• Banquet or events coordinator
• Bar or gaming supervisor
• Housekeeping supervisor
• Small hospitality business owner or operator
• Team leader in catering, aged care or hospital food services

These roles are found across Australia's accommodation, food and beverage, events, tourism and hospitality sectors, from city hotels and licensed clubs to regional pubs, cafes and catering companies.