Diploma of Marketing and Communication

The Diploma of Marketing and Communication at the Australis Institute of Technology and Education (AITE) is a one-year qualification for people who want practical marketing skills without committing to a full bachelor degree. You study how organisations promote themselves, how to write for different audiences, how campaigns are planned and measured, and how digital channels fit alongside traditional media. Marketing is a field where the work is visible: you build content, plan promotions, look at audience data and present ideas to clients or managers.

How the course is structured

Australian diplomas are made up of units of study, each carrying credit points. A one-year diploma usually runs across two semesters or three trimesters, and you take a set number of core units plus some electives. Assessment is typically a mix of written tasks, group projects, presentations and practical campaign work rather than one big final exam. Some diplomas include a work placement or industry project; where that applies, it is arranged with a host organisation and assessed as part of the course. The exact unit list and credit point totals are set by AITE, so check the official course page for the current structure.

What you actually learn

You learn to write copy for web, social and print, plan a campaign from brief to evaluation, use analytics to see what worked, and manage a client relationship. Consumer behaviour, market research and communication theory come into it too. Group work is common, which mirrors how marketing teams operate. By the end you should be able to put together a campaign plan and defend the choices you made.

Who it suits

This diploma suits school leavers who want a shorter, job-focused qualification, career changers moving into marketing or communications, and people already working in admin, retail or events who want formal recognition of their skills. It can also be a pathway into a bachelor degree, with credit for completed units depending on the receiving institution. International students should note that a Student visa generally allows work of up to 48 hours per fortnight while studying, and graduates may be eligible for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream if they meet the requirements. Entry requires English proficiency; IELTS Academic 6.0–6.5 overall is the common standard for coursework at this level, though the Department of Home Affairs sets a separate English threshold for the visa itself. Tuition is published on the CRICOS register under course code 111071F. Confirm all details with AITE before applying.

• Marketing assistant or coordinator, supporting campaigns, scheduling content and reporting on results in agencies, retail, property, education and not-for-profit organisations.
• Digital marketing assistant, managing social media accounts, email sends and basic paid ads for small businesses or in-house teams.
• Communications officer, drafting newsletters, media releases and internal updates for government, health or community organisations.
• Sales and promotions coordinator, running in-store promotions, events and lead-generation activity.
• Customer engagement or community manager, handling online enquiries and building audience relationships.
• Pathway to further study, credit towards a bachelor degree in marketing, business or communication at an Australian institution, subject to that institution's rules.