Diploma of Business

The Diploma of Business is a one-year qualification at Australian College of Technology and Business Pty Ltd, registered on CRICOS as course 105026F. It sits at the diploma level of the Australian Qualifications Framework, below a bachelor degree and above a certificate IV. You will study core business subjects: how organisations run, how to manage money and people, how to market a product or service, and how to write and present business information clearly. Assessment is usually a mix of assignments, case studies, group projects and exams, with some units asking you to work through a simulated business problem from start to finish.

How the course is structured

Australian diplomas are built from units of study, each carrying credit points. A full-time load is typically eight units across two semesters, though some providers run three trimesters a year. There is no research thesis at this level. Instead, you complete a set of core units and may choose electives in areas such as customer service, project work or small business operations. If you continue to a bachelor degree later, the credit points you earn here can count towards it, subject to the receiving institution's rules.

What you actually learn

You graduate able to read a profit and loss statement, draft a simple business plan, run a team meeting, handle a customer complaint and use common office and accounting software. Communication and teamwork are built into most units because employers ask for them. Some providers arrange work-integrated learning or a placement in a local business, but you should check the official course page for whether placement is offered and whether it is optional or required.

Who it suits

This diploma suits school leavers who want a practical start before committing to a three-year degree, people already working in administration who want a formal qualification, and international students seeking a shorter course that meets Australian study requirements. English proficiency is required: IELTS Academic 6.0–6.5 overall is the common standard for courses at this level, with TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic and Cambridge C1 Advanced accepted as equivalents. The Department of Home Affairs sets a separate English threshold for the Student visa. While studying, a student visa usually allows 48 hours of work per fortnight, and after completing the diploma you may be eligible for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream. Tuition is published on the CRICOS register. Confirm all details on the official page.

• Administration officer or business support officer in private companies, government departments and not-for-profits
• Accounts clerk or payroll assistant in accounting firms, retail groups and manufacturing businesses
• Customer service team leader or sales support officer in banking, insurance, telecommunications and retail
• Project assistant or office coordinator in construction, health services, education and professional services
• Small business operator or franchise support role in hospitality, trades and online retail
• Pathway to further study: credit towards a bachelor degree in business, commerce or management at an Australian university