Diploma of Leadership and Management

The Diploma of Leadership and Management at Mastery Institute Australia is a one-year qualification for people who want to lead teams, run projects and manage day-to-day operations. You study how to plan and monitor work, manage budgets and financial plans, lead effective workplace relationships, support team performance, and handle the operational problems that come up in any organisation. Assessment is practical, you work through case studies, workplace scenarios and projects rather than sitting long written exams.

How the course is structured

Australian diplomas are made up of units of study, each worth credit points. A full-time diploma usually runs over two semesters, though some providers use trimesters or three study periods a year. Each unit is assessed on its own, and you need to pass every required unit to graduate. There is no honours year attached to a diploma, that sits on top of a bachelor degree. If you later want to continue studying, many Australian universities give credit for diploma units towards a bachelor degree, so it is worth asking about pathways before you enrol.

What you actually learn

The core skills are the ones managers use every week: setting goals for a team, giving feedback, managing your own workload and priorities, reading a budget, writing a business plan or operational plan, and dealing with conflict or underperformance. You also look at workplace health and safety responsibilities, risk management, and how to communicate with people from different backgrounds. Because the focus is on applying these skills, you will spend time on group work and simulated workplace tasks as well as individual assignments.

Who it suits

This course suits people already working in a supervisory or team-leader role who want formal recognition, career changers moving into management, and international students looking for a shorter qualification than a degree. It also works as a stepping stone if you plan to go on to a bachelor or master's later. International students study on a Student visa, which normally allows 48 hours of work per fortnight while the course is running. After graduating, you may be eligible for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream, depending on your circumstances. English requirements for international applicants are set out on the official page, IELTS Academic 6.0–6.5 overall is the usual standard for courses at this level, with TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic and Cambridge C1 Advanced accepted as equivalents. Tuition is published on the CRICOS register under course code 104302K. Check the official page for current fees, intake dates and unit details before you apply.

• Team leader or supervisor in retail, hospitality, logistics or customer service
• Office or administration manager
• Project coordinator or project officer
• Operations coordinator in small and medium businesses
• Frontline manager in health, aged care or community services
• Assistant manager in hospitality or tourism
• Business development or accounts coordinator
• Team leader in government or local council administration

These roles are found across most Australian industries, retail, hospitality, logistics, construction, health and community services, government, and professional services. Employers range from small businesses to large national organisations and not-for-profits.