Advanced Diploma of Community Sector Management

The Advanced Diploma of Community Sector Management is a one-year qualification for people who want to run programs and teams in community organisations. You study how to manage budgets, lead staff, plan services, work within legal and ethical frameworks, and report to funders and boards. It suits team leaders, coordinators and experienced support workers who are ready to step up, or people moving into the community sector from another industry.

Australian advanced diplomas sit above a certificate IV and below a bachelor degree on the AQF. This one is delivered over one year. Providers usually split the year into semesters or trimesters, and you enrol in units of study, each worth credit points. Assessment is practical: case studies, project work, placement tasks and workplace evidence. Many students complete part of their learning on the job, because the community sector expects managers to have real experience of client work, rostering, compliance and funding rounds.

You finish with skills in operational planning, financial management, risk and WHS, staff supervision, and working with culturally diverse clients and communities. Community organisations across Australia hire people with this qualification, and the sector runs on government contracts and accreditation standards, so you learn to keep records and report against them. If you want to go further, you can use the advanced diploma as a pathway into a bachelor degree, with credit for your units.

International students study on a Student visa, which allows 48 hours of work per fortnight during study periods. After graduating, the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream may be available, depending on your circumstances. English entry is usually IELTS Academic 6.0–6.5 overall for this level, with TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, Cambridge C1 Advanced and the college's own English programmes accepted as equivalents. Check the official page for current entry requirements, tuition and start dates.

• Community services manager
• Program coordinator
• Team leader in aged care or disability services
• Case manager
• Service manager in a not-for-profit organisation
• Client services coordinator
• Operations coordinator in community health or welfare

These roles sit in not-for-profit organisations, government-funded community services, aged care and disability providers, and multicultural or Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community organisations across Australia.