Diploma of Business

The Diploma of Business at Lyons College is a one-year qualification that gets you into the working world of business, or into the second year of a bachelor degree. You study how organisations actually run: accounting basics, marketing, managing people, business communication, and the legal and economic rules that shape decisions. Assessment is a mix of exams, reports, group projects and presentations, so you are writing and speaking in a business register from the start rather than just memorising theory.

Australian diplomas sit at Level 5 on the Australian Qualifications Framework, one step below a bachelor degree. This one is delivered over one year of full-time study, typically across two semesters or trimesters, and is made up of units of study, each worth credit points. You need to pass every required unit to graduate. Some diplomas include a work placement or industry project; where that applies here, it is built into the course structure, and you should confirm the current arrangement on the official page. The credit points you earn usually count towards a bachelor degree at Lyons College or another institution, which is why many students use the diploma as a pathway rather than a final qualification.

You finish with practical skills employers ask for: reading a profit and loss statement, putting together a marketing plan, running a small team, writing a clear business case, and using common business software. Class sizes at a private college like Lyons tend to be smaller than in a large university lecture theatre, so there is more chance to ask questions and get feedback on your work. The course suits school leavers who want a faster route into study, people already working in administration or retail who want a formal qualification, and international students who need an Australian qualification before moving into a degree.

English requirements follow the standard Australian pattern: IELTS Academic 6.0–6.5 overall for most courses, higher for teaching, nursing, medicine, law and social work. TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, Cambridge C1 Advanced and the college's own English programmes are accepted as equivalents. The Department of Home Affairs sets a separate English threshold for the Student visa itself, so check both. International students on a Student visa can work up to 48 hours per fortnight while studying, and may be eligible for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) after completing eligible study. Tuition is published on the CRICOS register under course code 111489B. Confirm fees, intake dates, unit lists and credit transfer arrangements on the official Lyons College page before applying.

• Administration officer, local government, health services, education providers and small businesses across Australia
• Business support officer, professional services firms, recruitment agencies and corporate head offices
• Customer service team leader, retail, banking, insurance and telecommunications
• Accounts clerk or accounts payable officer, accounting practices, not-for-profits and trades businesses
• Marketing assistant, agencies, e-commerce businesses and in-house marketing teams
• Sales support coordinator, wholesale, manufacturing and technology suppliers
• Small business owner or operator, running your own venture in retail, hospitality or trades
• Pathway to further study, credit towards a bachelor degree in business, commerce or management, which opens roles in management, finance and human resources