Diploma of Hospitality Management

The Diploma of Hospitality Management is a practical qualification for people who want to work in hotels, restaurants, events, clubs and resorts, or move into a supervisory role. It's a Diploma on the Australian Qualifications Framework, which sits above a Certificate IV and below an Advanced Diploma. At Australian Federation College it runs for 1.5 years. The course covers the areas that hospitality employers actually need: food and beverage service, housekeeping and front office, rostering and staffing, budgeting and cost control, work health and safety, and how to lead a team through a busy service period. You'll also look at the legal side, responsible service of alcohol, food safety, and the rules that apply to licensed venues in Australia.

How the course is structured

Australian diplomas are made up of units of competency. Each unit has a set number of credit points, and you need to complete all the required units to graduate. The college usually runs two or three study periods a year, so the 1.5-year length fits around those intakes. Assessment is mostly practical: you'll be observed on service, write operational reports, complete budgets and rosters, and take part in simulated or real shifts. Many diplomas in this field include a work placement or industry hours, because hospitality is a hands-on industry and employers want to see that you've worked a real service. Check the official course page for the exact unit list, placement hours and study periods.

What you'll learn

By the end you should be able to run a shift, manage stock and costs, deal with customers and complaints, roster staff within a budget, and keep a venue compliant with health, safety and licensing rules. You'll also build the soft skills that matter in hospitality: staying calm under pressure, communicating with a mixed team, and thinking on your feet when something goes wrong. These are the skills that get people promoted from front-line roles into supervisor and duty manager positions.

Who it suits

This diploma suits people already working in hospitality who want to step up, career changers who want a practical qualification rather than a long degree, and international students looking for a pathway into the Australian industry. If you're an international student, you'll need to meet the college's English requirement, IELTS Academic 6.0–6.5 overall is the common standard 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. While you study, the Student visa lets you work up to 48 hours per fortnight, and after you finish you may be able to apply for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream, depending on your circumstances. Tuition is published on the CRICOS register, check the official page for current fees, entry requirements and intake dates.

• Duty manager or shift supervisor in a hotel, motel, restaurant or club
• Food and beverage supervisor or restaurant manager
• Front office supervisor or guest services manager
• Housekeeping supervisor or rooms division coordinator
• Events and functions coordinator
• Bar or café manager in a licensed venue
• Small business owner or operator in the hospitality sector

These roles are found across Australia's hotels, resorts, pubs, clubs, restaurants, catering companies, event venues and tourism operators. The diploma also gives you credit toward further study, such as an Advanced Diploma or a bachelor degree in hospitality or business, if you want to keep going.