Advanced Diploma of Leadership and Management

The Advanced Diploma of Leadership and Management is a practical, work-focused qualification for people who want to step into team leader, supervisor or middle-management roles. It sits at the diploma level on the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF), which means it is built around applied skills rather than theory for its own sake. You will study things like leading teams, managing operational plans, developing and using emotional intelligence, managing budgets and financial plans, and implementing workplace policies. Assessment is typically through projects, case studies and simulated workplace tasks rather than long written exams.

How the course is structured

At Durban International College, the course runs for 1.5 years. Australian vocational qualifications are usually organised into units of competency, each carrying credit points, and delivered across semesters or terms. You complete a set number of core units and electives, with the option to negotiate some elective choices based on your job role or career goal. There is no research thesis at this level. Instead, you may complete a capstone-style project where you apply your leadership and management skills to a real or simulated business problem. Work-integrated learning, such as a placement or industry project, is common in this field and lets you practise leading a team under supervision.

What you actually learn

You will learn how to plan and monitor work, manage team performance, deal with conflict, lead change, and report on financial and operational results. The focus is on the day-to-day judgement calls a manager makes: rostering, performance conversations, risk, continuous improvement, and communicating with staff and stakeholders. By the end, you should be able to step into a supervisory role and contribute from day one. The course suits people already working in a team who want formal recognition, career changers moving into management, and international students who want an Australian qualification that leads to work in business or administration.

English, visas and what to check

International applicants need to meet English requirements. The common standard for courses at this level is IELTS Academic 6.0–6.5 overall, though some fields ask for higher scores. TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, Cambridge C1 Advanced and the college’s own English programmes are accepted as equivalents. The Department of Home Affairs sets a separate English threshold for the Student visa itself. While you study, your visa allows you to work up to 48 hours per fortnight, and after you finish you may be eligible for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream. Tuition fees are published on the CRICOS register under course code 106577M. Always confirm current entry requirements, unit lists and start dates on the official page before you apply.

• Team leader or supervisor, retail, hospitality, logistics, manufacturing and community services organisations across Australia.
• Office or administration manager, small and medium businesses, professional services firms and government agencies.
• Operations coordinator, transport, warehousing, health services and not-for-profit organisations.
• Frontline manager, banking, insurance, call centres and customer service teams.
• Project support officer, construction, IT and event management companies.
• Small business owner or manager, running your own enterprise or a family business.

These roles exist in almost every Australian industry. The qualification can also lead to further study, such as a bachelor degree in business or management, with credit for units you have already completed.