Advanced Diploma of Leadership and Management

The Advanced Diploma of Leadership and Management is a vocational qualification for people who want to run teams, projects and business units. It sits at the diploma level of the Australian Qualifications Framework, above a Certificate IV and below a bachelor degree. At Award Academy Australia, the course runs 1.5 years. You study units of study, each with a set number of credit points, and the course is delivered across trimesters. There is no research thesis at this level; assessment is competency-based, meaning you show you can do the task, not just describe it.

What you actually study

Core units cover managing budgets and financial plans, leading and managing team effectiveness, developing and using emotional intelligence, managing operational plans, and implementing and monitoring work health and safety. You also look at risk management, continuous improvement, and how to manage meetings and workplace relationships. Electives often include project management, marketing, and human resources. Assessment is practical: you write business plans, run simulated team meetings, prepare budgets, and complete a work-based project where you apply your skills to a real organisation.

How it is structured

Delivery is face-to-face and online, with intakes through the year. You attend classes, complete assessments, and take part in a work placement or simulated workplace project. This is a vocational qualification, so the focus is on what you can do on the job. The course is listed on the CRICOS register for international students, and the tuition amount is published there. English requirements for international applicants are IELTS Academic 6.0 to 6.5 overall, or an accepted equivalent such as TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, or Cambridge C1 Advanced. The Department of Home Affairs sets a separate English threshold for the Student visa itself.

Who it suits

This course suits people already working in a supervisory or team leader role who want a formal qualification, or those moving from a trade or technical background into management. It also works for international students who want an Australian qualification that is practical and job-focused. If you are after a research career or a pathway to a master's degree, a bachelor degree is the more direct route. The Advanced Diploma is about getting the management skills you can use immediately. Confirm current entry requirements, intake dates and fees on the official CRICOS page and with Award Academy Australia.

• Team leader or supervisor in retail, hospitality, or manufacturing
• Office manager or administration manager
• Project coordinator or project officer
• Operations coordinator in logistics or health services
• Small business owner or manager
• Frontline manager in government or community organisations
• Customer service manager
• Sales team leader

These roles are found across Australian industries including retail, health care and social assistance, construction, manufacturing, and professional services. The qualification is recognised by employers for supervisory and middle-management positions.