Diploma of Leadership and Management

The Diploma of Leadership and Management is a one-year qualification for people who want to supervise teams, run projects, or move into a management role. It sits at diploma level on the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF), which means it is practical and job-focused rather than academic. You will study how to lead a team, manage budgets and financial plans, develop workplace relationships, plan and monitor operational work, and handle the kind of communication that keeps a team on track. Assessment is usually a mix of assignments, case studies, role plays, and projects based on real workplace situations.

How the course is structured

Australian diplomas are made up of units of study, each with a set number of credit points. A one-year diploma is normally delivered over two semesters or three trimesters, and you need to complete all the required units to graduate. Some providers offer a timetable that includes an optional work placement or industry project, so you can apply what you learn in a real organisation. Kingsway College Pty Ltd delivers this course to international students under CRICOS course code 105943B. The exact unit list, delivery mode, and any placement requirement are set out on the official course page, and you should confirm those details there before you apply.

What you actually learn

You will practise the tasks managers do every day: allocating work, giving feedback, resolving conflicts, preparing operational plans, managing a project from start to finish, and reviewing your team's performance against targets. The focus is on making decisions with limited information, communicating clearly with people from different backgrounds, and keeping records that stand up to scrutiny. By the end, you should be able to step into a junior management role and take responsibility for a small team or a defined area of a business.

Who it suits

This diploma suits people who already have some work experience and want a formal management qualification, or school leavers who want a practical business credential without committing to a three-year bachelor degree. It also works as a pathway: after completing the diploma, you may be able to get credit towards a bachelor degree at some Australian institutions, depending on their articulation agreements. International students should check the English requirement for their situation. The common IELTS Academic standard for coursework at this level is 6.0–6.5 overall, with TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, and Cambridge C1 Advanced accepted as equivalents. The Department of Home Affairs sets a separate English threshold for the Student visa. While you study, your visa usually allows up to 48 hours of work per fortnight, and after you graduate you may be eligible for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream. Tuition is published on the CRICOS register, and you should confirm fees, intake dates, and entry requirements on the official page.

• Team leader or supervisor, retail, hospitality, logistics, and manufacturing businesses across Australia.
• Office or administration manager, professional services firms, government departments, and not-for-profits.
• Project coordinator, construction, events, IT, and community organisations.
• Operations coordinator, transport, warehousing, and health services.
• Customer service manager, banks, insurers, and telecommunications companies.
• Small business owner or manager, running your own operation or a franchise.
• Pathway to further study, credit towards a bachelor degree in business or management at some Australian institutions.