Undergraduate Certificate of Business

The Undergraduate Certificate of Business is a short qualification delivered over 35 weeks. It's a way into business study if you're not ready to commit to a full degree, or if you need an Australian qualification to show employers before you decide what comes next. You'll cover the basics of how businesses run: accounting, marketing, management, economics and business communication. The exact units and credit points are set by the provider, so check the official page for the current list.

How it fits together

Australian qualifications sit on the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF). A bachelor degree is normally three years, an honours year adds one, a master's is one to two, and a doctorate is three or more. This certificate sits below a bachelor degree. It's usually made up of a small number of units of study, each with a credit point value. Some providers run semesters, others trimesters. If you pass, you may be able to use the credit towards a bachelor degree at the same institution or another one, but that depends on the receiving university's rules. Ask before you enrol.

What you'll actually do

Expect a mix of lectures, tutorials and assignments. You'll learn to read financial statements, write a business report, work in a team on a case study, and present your ideas. Some providers include a work-integrated learning component, such as a short placement or industry project, though it's not guaranteed for a certificate at this level. The skills you pick up, numeracy, business writing, basic analysis, are the ones that show up in almost every entry-level office job.

Who it suits

This is for school leavers who didn't get the ATAR they wanted, mature-age students returning to study, and international students who want a taste of Australian business education before committing to a three-year degree. It's also useful if you're already working and want a formal qualification to put on your resume. English requirements for international applicants are usually IELTS Academic 6.0–6.5 overall for undergraduate and coursework postgraduate courses, though teaching, nursing, medicine, law and social work ask for 7.0–7.5. TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, Cambridge C1 Advanced and the provider'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, you can 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, but check the current rules because they change. Tuition is published on the CRICOS register. Confirm all details on the official page.

• Administration officer
• Customer service team member
• Retail supervisor
• Accounts payable or receivable clerk
• Marketing assistant
• Small business owner or operator
• Office coordinator
• Sales support

These roles turn up in banks, accounting firms, retail chains, government departments, not-for-profits and small businesses across Australia. The certificate also gives you a pathway into further study, a diploma or bachelor degree in business, accounting, marketing or management, if you want to move into professional roles later.