Advanced Diploma of Leadership and Management

The Advanced Diploma of Leadership and Management is a one-year qualification for people who want to run teams, projects and business units rather than just work inside them. It sits at diploma level on the Australian Qualifications Framework, which means it is practical and job-focused, and it is typically delivered over two semesters or three trimesters of full-time study. You will study units of management, including leading and managing teams, operational planning, risk management, budgeting and financial reporting, workplace relationships, and continuous improvement. Assessment is mostly competency-based, so you build a portfolio of work that shows what you can actually do.

How the course is structured

You complete a set number of units of study, each carrying credit points. Most providers deliver the course through face-to-face classes, online learning or a mix of both, and some offer evening or weekend options for people already in work. The qualification is delivered by Cambridge College Australia and TradeTech Australia, and the CRICOS course code is 104688J. Tuition is published on the CRICOS register, so confirm the current figure there and on the official course page before you apply.

What you learn

You learn how to write a business plan, manage a budget, lead a team through change, deal with conflict, and report on performance. You also cover workplace health and safety, sustainability, and the legal and ethical side of managing people. The focus is on skills you can use the next day at work: running a meeting, setting KPIs, preparing a project brief, or presenting a case to senior management. Some providers build in a work placement or a simulated workplace project so you can practise under supervision.

Who it suits

This course suits people who already have some work experience and want a formal management qualification, or who have finished Year 12 and want a practical business pathway. It also suits international students who want an Australian qualification and then plan to work here. While you study, your student visa lets you work up to 48 hours per fortnight. After you finish, you may be eligible for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream, depending on your circumstances. English requirements are IELTS Academic 6.0–6.5 overall for this level, with TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, Cambridge C1 Advanced and the university's own English programmes accepted as equivalents. The Department of Home Affairs sets a separate English threshold for the Student visa itself.

Check the official CRICOS page and the provider's page for the exact units, entry requirements, English equivalents and tuition before you enrol.

• Team leader or supervisor in retail, hospitality, logistics or manufacturing
• Office manager or administration manager in small to medium businesses
• Project coordinator or project officer in construction, IT or government
• Operations coordinator in transport, warehousing or health services
• Assistant manager in hospitality, tourism or aged care
• Business development officer in professional services
• Frontline manager in customer service or contact centres

Australian employers in these industries hire advanced diploma graduates for roles that combine people management with day-to-day operations. The qualification also gives you credit towards further study, such as a bachelor degree in business or management, where you may receive recognition for prior learning.