Diploma of Business

The Diploma of Business at the International Institute of Planning and Management is a one-year qualification that sits at level 5 on the Australian Qualifications Framework. It is a practical, entry-level business course. You study the basics of how organisations run: accounting and budgeting, marketing, managing people, business communication, and the legal and economic setting that Australian businesses operate in. Assessment is a mix of exams, assignments, group projects and presentations, and you usually complete eight units of study across two semesters. Each unit carries credit points, and the diploma is normally made up of 80 credit points in total. If you want to keep going, those credit points can count towards a bachelor degree at this institution or another Australian university, which means you may get credit for what you have already done. Confirm the exact units and credit arrangements on the official page.

The course is taught on campus in Australia, and the institute builds in work-integrated learning where it can. That might be a placement with a local business, an industry project, or a case study based on a real organisation. You also get help with the practical side of working in Australia: writing a CV, preparing for interviews, and understanding workplace expectations. The skills you pick up are the ones employers ask for at entry level, reading a profit and loss statement, writing a clear business report, working in a team, and using common business software. You do not need prior business study to get in, but you do need to meet the English requirement. International applicants usually need IELTS Academic 6.0 overall or equivalent, and the institute accepts TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, Cambridge C1 Advanced and its own English programmes. The Department of Home Affairs sets a separate English threshold for the Student visa, so check both.

Who this suits: someone finishing school who wants a business qualification without committing to three years straight away; a person already working in admin, retail or hospitality who wants a formal credential; or a student who wants a pathway into a bachelor degree. It is also a sensible option if you are changing careers and need to test whether business study is for you before signing up for a longer course. The diploma is not a degree, and it does not lead to professional registration. What it does give you is a recognised Australian qualification and a set of practical skills you can use in an office from day one.

On a Student visa (subclass 500) you can work up to 48 hours per fortnight while your course is in session, which many students use to get local experience. After you finish, the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream may be available, depending on your circumstances. Tuition is published on the CRICOS register under course code 109107F. Check the official page for current fees, intake dates and the exact units on offer.

• Administration officer, in health, education, government or private firms; you handle records, schedules and correspondence.
• Accounts clerk or payroll assistant, in accounting practices, small businesses or shared services teams; you process invoices, reconcile accounts and help with payroll.
• Customer service or sales support officer, in retail, banking, insurance or telecommunications; you deal with enquiries and keep customer records up to date.
• Marketing assistant, in agencies, not-for-profits or in-house marketing teams; you help run campaigns, update websites and prepare reports.
• Project support officer, in construction, IT or government projects; you maintain schedules, take minutes and track budgets.
• Small business operator, running your own trade, retail or online business, using the planning and financial skills from the diploma.

These roles are common across Australia in professional services, government, retail, health and community organisations. The diploma also gives you a pathway into a bachelor degree, which can open up management and specialist roles later.