Diploma of Marketing and Communication

The Diploma of Marketing and Communication is a one-year qualification at the Australian Institute of Language and Further Education, registered on CRICOS (course code 105496J). It sits at the diploma level of the Australian Qualifications Framework, which means it is a practical, job-focused course rather than a research or theory-heavy one. You will study how organisations promote themselves, how to write for different audiences, how to plan campaigns, and how to use digital and social media as part of a marketing mix. Assessment is typically a mix of assignments, campaign plans, presentations and group projects rather than long written exams.

How the course is structured

Diplomas in Australia are usually delivered over two or three study periods across a year, and this one is no different. You enrol in units of study, each with a set number of credit points, and you need to pass all required units to graduate. The units build on each other: early ones cover the basics of marketing and communication, then later ones ask you to apply that knowledge to real briefs. Depending on how the institute timetables it, you may also complete a final project or portfolio that pulls together what you have learned. The exact unit list and credit-point values are set by the institute, so confirm them on the official page before you apply.

What you actually learn

Expect to spend time on consumer behaviour, market research, advertising and promotion, public relations, content creation, and campaign evaluation. You will practise writing copy for web and social channels, interpreting analytics, and pitching ideas to a client or manager. Group work is common because marketing is a team activity in most workplaces. By the end, you should be able to put together a marketing plan, run a basic campaign, and explain why you made the choices you did. Those are the skills employers ask for in entry-level marketing and communications roles.

Who it suits and what to check

This diploma suits school leavers who want a practical start in marketing, career changers moving into communications, and international students looking for an Australian qualification that can lead into further study. It can also be a pathway into a bachelor degree, with credit for prior study sometimes available, though that depends on the receiving institution. If you are an international student, you will need to meet the English requirement published by the institute, commonly IELTS Academic 6.0–6.5 overall for courses at this level, or an accepted equivalent such as TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic or Cambridge C1 Advanced. The Department of Home Affairs also sets its own English threshold for the Student visa, which is separate from the institute's requirement. While studying, a Student visa usually allows work of up to 48 hours per fortnight during the term. After graduating, you may be eligible for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream, but check the current rules on the Department of Home Affairs website. Tuition fees are published on the CRICOS register; always confirm fees, intake dates and unit details with the institute directly.

• Marketing assistant or coordinator, supporting campaign delivery, scheduling social media, and preparing reports for marketing managers.
• Digital marketing assistant, helping run paid search, email marketing, and social media advertising under supervision.
• Communications officer, drafting media releases, internal newsletters, and website content for corporations, government, or not-for-profits.
• Social media coordinator, planning posts, engaging with audiences, and tracking performance across platforms.
• Advertising and promotions assistant, working with agencies or in-house teams on promotional activities and events.
• Sales and marketing support, providing market research, customer insights, and administrative help to sales teams.

These roles appear across advertising and media agencies, retail and e-commerce businesses, tourism and hospitality, professional services firms, government departments, and community organisations. Many graduates start in assistant-level positions and move into specialist or management roles after a few years of experience.