Diploma of Hospitality Management

The Diploma of Hospitality Management at Kingsford International Institute is a one-and-a-half-year qualification that sits at the diploma level on the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF). It is a practical, industry-focused course that prepares you to work in hotels, restaurants, events, resorts, and food and beverage operations. You will study how hospitality businesses run day to day: rostering and supervising staff, managing stock and suppliers, controlling costs, delivering customer service, and understanding the legal and safety rules that apply to venues that serve food and alcohol. The course is made up of units of study, each with a credit point value, and you will typically complete them over three or four study periods across the 18 months.

Because this is a diploma, the focus is on applied skills rather than theory for its own sake. You will spend time in practical settings learning how to handle complaints, plan menus, manage budgets, and lead a team during a busy service. Many units include work-integrated learning, which means you may complete a placement or work in a simulated hospitality environment on campus. Assessment is usually a mix of practical tasks, projects, and written work, and you will need to show that you can perform the tasks to industry standards. There is no research thesis at this level, but you will complete a capstone-style project that pulls together what you have learned, often based on a real venue or a business plan.

The skills you gain are the ones employers ask for: supervising shifts, managing stock and waste, handling cash and budgets, understanding workplace health and safety, and dealing with customers from many backgrounds. You also learn how to roster staff, manage conflict, and follow food safety and responsible service of alcohol requirements. These are the same skills that let you move into supervisory or team leader roles after you finish. The course suits people who want to work in hospitality and are ready to take on more responsibility, or who have some experience and want a formal Australian qualification. It also suits international students who want to study in Australia and gain work rights while they learn.

International students should check the English requirement before applying. The institute publishes its own English entry standard, and for a diploma like this it is usually around IELTS Academic 6.0 to 6.5 overall, with equivalents accepted from TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, Cambridge C1 Advanced, or the institute’s own English programmes. The Department of Home Affairs also sets a separate English threshold for the Student visa, so you need to meet both. While you study, your visa allows you to work up to 48 hours per fortnight during the teaching period. After you graduate, you may be eligible for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream, which lets you stay and work in Australia for a period depending on your qualification. Tuition fees are published on the CRICOS register, and you should confirm the current amount, intake dates, and unit details on the official page before you apply.

• Hospitality supervisor – leading shifts in hotels, restaurants, cafes, and bars across Australia.
• Food and beverage manager – managing stock, suppliers, and service standards in venues of all sizes.
• Front office supervisor – overseeing reception, reservations, and guest services in hotels and resorts.
• Events coordinator – planning and running functions, conferences, and weddings for event companies and venues.
• Restaurant manager – running daily operations, rosters, budgets, and compliance for dining businesses.
• Club or pub duty manager – supervising staff and ensuring responsible service of alcohol and gaming rules are followed.
• Catering supervisor – coordinating food production and delivery for airlines, hospitals, and large events.

These roles are found across Australia in hotels, resorts, restaurants, cafes, pubs, clubs, event companies, catering firms, and tourism operators. The diploma also gives you a pathway into further study, such as a bachelor degree in hospitality or business, with credit for your completed units.