Diploma of Travel and Tourism Management

The Diploma of Travel and Tourism Management is a practical qualification for people who want to work in the travel industry. It covers the day-to-day skills tourism employers look for: selling travel products, coordinating tours and transfers, customer service, budgeting, marketing, and the legal and safety rules that apply to tourism operators. You will also learn how to use industry booking and reservation systems, which is the sort of thing you actually do on the job rather than just read about.

This is an AQF diploma, which sits below a bachelor degree. It is delivered over 1.5 years, usually across semesters or trimesters. Assessment is competency-based, meaning you have to demonstrate that you can perform each task to the standard expected in the workplace, not just pass a written exam. Many diplomas in this field include a work placement or practical component where you spend time in a real tourism business, and you should confirm the exact placement hours and structure with the college. Credit may be granted for prior study or relevant work experience, expressed as recognition of units of competency or credit points, so ask about recognition of prior learning if you already have industry experience.

You will come out with skills in itinerary planning, client relationship management, tour operations, and the business side of tourism such as quoting, rostering and compliance. The course suits school leavers who want a fast route into the industry, career changers, and people already working in hospitality or travel who want a formal qualification to move into supervisory or coordination roles. It also provides a pathway into a bachelor degree in tourism or business, often with credit for the units you have completed.

Australia has a large tourism sector, and graduates may find work in hotels, tour operators, airlines, visitor information centres, and destination marketing organisations. If you are an international student, you can work up to 48 hours per fortnight while your course is in session. After finishing, you may be eligible for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream, depending on your circumstances. English requirements for international applicants are typically IELTS Academic 6.0–6.5 overall for courses at this level, with TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, Cambridge C1 Advanced and the college’s own English programmes accepted as equivalents. The Department of Home Affairs sets a separate English threshold for the Student visa itself. Tuition is published on the CRICOS register, and you should check the official page for current fees, entry requirements and start dates.

• Travel consultant or travel agent
• Tour coordinator or operations assistant
• Reservations agent
• Visitor information officer
• Hotel front office supervisor
• Tourism marketing assistant
• Inbound tour operator
• Destination or events assistant

These roles are found across Australian tourism businesses: retail travel agencies, online travel companies, inbound tour operators, hotels and resorts, airlines, cruise lines, visitor information centres, and local or state tourism organisations.