Graduate Diploma of Management (Learning)

This Graduate Diploma of Management (Learning) is a one-year qualification for people who lead learning inside organisations. It sits at graduate diploma level on the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF), which puts it above a bachelor degree and below a master's. The course is built around the business of learning: how to design programs that change what people can actually do, how to assess whether they have, and how to argue for the investment in terms of organisational results.

What you study

You will work through units of study that cover learning strategy, instructional design, assessment and evaluation, and the management of training functions. Expect to look at how adults learn, how to build curricula that meet industry standards, and how to use data to show whether a program worked. The qualification is delivered over one year, and the institution sets its own semester or trimester structure and credit point values for each unit. Check the official course page for the exact unit list and how the year is arranged.

Assessment is typically a mix of written work and practical projects. You might be asked to design a learning program for a real workplace, write an evaluation plan, or present a business case for a training initiative. Some providers include a work-integrated learning component or a capstone project where you apply what you have learned to an actual organisation. Ask the institution whether placement or a capstone is part of your intake.

Who it suits

This course is for trainers, team leaders, HR professionals and managers who already have some experience and want to move into a learning and development role, or for people with a bachelor degree in another field who want to specialise in workplace learning. It also suits international students who want an Australian qualification in a growth area and are looking for post-study work options. If you are already a teacher, this is not a teaching qualification and does not lead to teacher registration.

Practical matters

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 institution's own English programs accepted as equivalents. The Department of Home Affairs sets a separate English threshold for the Student visa. While studying, you can work up to 48 hours per fortnight. After graduating, you may be eligible for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream, which lets you stay and work in Australia. Tuition is published on the CRICOS register. Always confirm the current unit structure, English requirements, fees and visa conditions on the official course page before you apply.

• Learning and development manager, leads the training function in a large organisation, sets strategy and manages a team of trainers.
• Instructional designer, builds online and face-to-face courses for corporate, government or education technology employers.
• Training coordinator, organises and delivers workplace training programs in healthcare, retail, manufacturing or public service.
• Organisational development consultant, advises companies on how to improve performance through learning and change.
• E-learning developer, creates digital learning content for education providers, agencies and private firms.
• Vocational education and training (VET) manager, oversees course delivery and compliance in registered training organisations.

Australian industries that hire for these roles include government, defence, healthcare, mining, banking and finance, retail, and the education and training sector itself. The qualification also supports self-employment as a consultant or contractor.