Advanced Diploma of Leadership and Management

The Advanced Diploma of Leadership and Management at Concord Institute 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, so it is practical and job-focused. You study how organisations plan, how budgets and operational plans are built and monitored, how to lead people through change, and how to manage risk, performance and workplace relationships. Assessment is typically a mix of reports, project work, presentations and simulated workplace tasks rather than long written exams.

How the course is structured

Australian diplomas are built from units of study, each carrying credit points. A full-time load is usually spread across two semesters or trimesters, and you need to pass every required unit to graduate. The one-year duration at Concord Institute reflects that standard full-time pattern; part-time study takes longer. Because this is an advanced diploma rather than a degree, there is no honours year and no research thesis. If you continue into a bachelor degree afterwards, some institutions may grant credit for completed units, but that is decided by the receiving institution and you should confirm it in writing before you enrol.

What you actually learn

You work through the things managers deal with every week: setting operational goals, allocating resources, reading financial reports, leading a diverse team, handling conflict, and improving systems and processes. Group work and case studies based on Australian businesses are common, and many providers include a work placement or industry project so you can apply the skills in a real workplace. That practical component is one of the main reasons employers recognise this qualification. It also gives you something concrete to talk about in interviews.

Who it suits

This course fits people already working in a supervisory or team leader role who want formal recognition, career changers moving into management, and international students who want a shorter, work-focused qualification before deciding whether to continue to a degree. English proficiency is required for international applicants, with IELTS Academic 6.0–6.5 overall commonly accepted for courses at this level; TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, Cambridge C1 Advanced and Concord Institute's own English programmes are accepted as equivalents. The Department of Home Affairs sets a separate English threshold for the Student visa itself, so check both. While studying, a Student visa generally allows 48 hours of work per fortnight, and graduates may be eligible for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream. Tuition is published on the CRICOS register under course code 108838A. Confirm entry requirements, unit lists, placement arrangements and fees on the official page before applying.

• Team leader or supervisor, front-line management in retail, hospitality, logistics, manufacturing and community services.
• Office or operations manager, coordinating staff, schedules and day-to-day business processes.
• Project coordinator, supporting project managers in construction, IT, events and government.
• Business development officer, building client relationships and identifying new work for small and medium enterprises.
• Administration manager, overseeing records, reporting and internal systems in health, education and professional services.
• Customer service manager, leading service teams in banking, insurance, telecommunications and utilities.

These roles appear across the Australian economy, with steady demand in professional services, health and community services, retail trade, logistics and government. Many graduates use the qualification as a stepping stone into a bachelor degree in business or management, where completed units may count towards credit. Confirm credit arrangements with the receiving institution and check current skilled occupation lists if you are planning a visa pathway.