Advanced Diploma of Business

The Advanced Diploma of Business is a practical, one-and-a-half-year qualification for people who want to work in business administration and management. It sits above a certificate IV and below a bachelor degree on the Australian Qualifications Framework. At Australian Harbour International College you study core areas like managing finances, leading teams, developing marketing plans, and handling workplace relationships. Assessment is mostly through assignments, case studies, and projects rather than long exams, so you learn by applying ideas to real business situations.

How the course is structured

Australian qualifications are built from units of study, each with a set credit point value. This course is delivered over three or four study periods (semesters or trimesters) across 1.5 years. You will typically complete 8 to 12 units, depending on the packaging rules. There is no separate honours year for an advanced diploma. If you later move into a bachelor degree, you may receive credit for some units you have already passed, which shortens the degree.

What you actually study and the skills you gain

Units cover budgeting and financial reporting, staff recruitment and induction, business risk, marketing mix, and continuous improvement. You learn to write business plans, interpret financial statements, run a team meeting, and manage a small project from start to finish. Some providers include a work placement or a simulated business project as part of the course. If placement is offered, it is usually arranged by the college with a host organisation in Australia. You finish with a portfolio of work you can show an employer.

Who it suits and how it fits Australian study rules

This qualification suits school leavers who want a job-ready business credential without committing to a three-year degree, and people already working in administration who need formal recognition to move into a supervisor or team leader role. International students on a Student visa can work up to 48 hours per fortnight while studying. After completing the course, you may be eligible for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream, which lets you stay and work in Australia for a period set by the Department of Home Affairs. Entry usually requires Year 12 or equivalent. International applicants need to show English proficiency, commonly IELTS Academic 6.0–6.5 overall or an accepted equivalent such as TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, or Cambridge C1 Advanced. The Student visa itself has a separate English requirement set by the Department of Home Affairs. Tuition fees are published on the CRICOS register. Always confirm current unit lists, intake dates, and fees on the official college page or the CRICOS entry for course code 103685J.

• Office manager – runs day-to-day operations in small and medium businesses, professional services firms, and government agencies.
• Team leader or supervisor – manages staff, rosters, and performance in retail, hospitality, logistics, and healthcare administration.
• Business development officer – builds client relationships and prepares proposals for companies in finance, insurance, and real estate.
• Executive assistant – supports senior managers with scheduling, reporting, and project coordination across the public and private sectors.
• Accounts or payroll officer – handles invoicing, reconciliations, and payroll in accounting practices, not-for-profits, and corporate finance teams.
• Project support officer – assists with budgets, schedules, and reporting on construction, IT, and event management projects.

These roles are common in Australian industries including retail trade, professional services, health care and social assistance, construction, and government administration. The advanced diploma also gives you credit toward further study, such as a bachelor degree in business or management.