Advanced Diploma of Business (Food Entrepreneurship)

The Advanced Diploma of Business (Food Entrepreneurship) is a two-year qualification for people who want to build a business around food. It sits at diploma level on the Australian Qualifications Framework, so it's practical and hands-on, not a theory-heavy degree. You'll learn how food businesses actually work: costing and pricing menus, managing stock and suppliers, food safety and compliance, marketing a food brand, and the numbers side of running a kitchen or a small food operation. Le Cordon Bleu Australia delivers it, so the food and hospitality context runs through everything.

How the qualification is structured

Australian diplomas are built from units of study, each worth credit points. You enrol in a set sequence of units across semesters or trimesters, and you need to pass the required number of credit points to graduate. The two-year duration reflects that structure, with study periods and breaks rather than one long block. Assessment is typically a mix of practical tasks, projects and written work rather than exams alone. Confirm the exact unit list, credit point totals and study periods on the official course page, because those details can change.

Skills you build

By the end, you should be able to put together a business plan for a food venture, work out whether a dish or product makes money, handle food safely and legally, and market to customers. You'll also build the day-to-day skills employers expect in food and hospitality: working in a team, dealing with suppliers, and solving problems when service gets busy. Some units may include practical kitchen or service work, depending on how the course is delivered.

Who it suits

This suits someone who wants to run a food business, work in food operations, or move into a supervisory role in hospitality. It also works for people already in the industry who want formal skills in business and management. If you're an international student, you can work up to 48 hours per fortnight while you study, and after you finish you may be eligible for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream. Check your eligibility with the Department of Home Affairs. Entry requires English proficiency; check the official page for the exact requirement that applies to you.

• Food business owner or operator (café, catering, food truck, small producer)
• Restaurant or café supervisor
• Food and beverage manager
• Kitchen manager or head chef (with relevant trade experience)
• Catering coordinator
• Food retail or wholesale manager
• Product development assistant in food manufacturing
• Hospitality operations coordinator

These roles sit across Australian hospitality, food retail, catering and food manufacturing. Employers include restaurants, hotels, catering companies, bakeries, food wholesalers and small food producers.