Advanced Diploma of Leadership and Management

The Advanced Diploma of Leadership and Management at Mercury Institute of Victoria is a practical, one-and-a-half-year course for people who want to run teams, projects and business units. It sits at the diploma level of the Australian Qualifications Framework, which means it's a hands-on qualification rather than a theoretical degree. You'll spend your time on things like managing budgets, leading staff, developing business plans, and handling the kind of operational problems that come up in any organisation. The course is delivered over 1.5 years, which usually means three or four study periods depending on the institute's calendar.

Australian qualifications at this level are built from units of study, each with a set number of credit points. You need to pass all the required units to graduate. The exact unit list and credit points are set by Mercury Institute of Victoria, so check the official course page for the current structure. There's no research thesis at this level, but you can expect a work-based project or simulated business task as part of your assessment. Some institutes arrange a professional placement or industry project; confirm with Mercury Institute of Victoria whether that applies here.

What you actually learn: how to lead a team, manage operational plans, oversee financial resources, and communicate with stakeholders. You'll practice writing reports, running meetings, and making decisions with incomplete information. These are the skills employers look for when they promote someone into a supervisor or coordinator role. The course suits people already working in business who want a formal qualification, or students who want a fast route into management without committing to a three-year bachelor degree.

If you're an international student, you'll need to meet English requirements. The published standard for this level is IELTS Academic 6.0–6.5 overall, or an equivalent like TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, or Cambridge C1 Advanced. The Department of Home Affairs also sets its own English threshold for the Student visa. While you study, your visa lets you work up to 48 hours per fortnight. After you finish, you may be eligible for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream. Always confirm details on the official CRICOS register and the Mercury Institute of Victoria website.

• Team Leader or Supervisor – retail, hospitality, manufacturing, and logistics companies across Australia.
• Office Manager – small to medium businesses, professional services firms, and government agencies.
• Project Coordinator – construction, IT, events, and community organisations.
• Operations Coordinator – transport, warehousing, and health services.
• Business Development Officer – sales and marketing teams in corporate and not-for-profit sectors.
• Assistant Manager – banking, insurance, and franchise operations.

These roles exist in almost every Australian industry. The qualification also gives you a pathway into further study, such as a bachelor degree in business or management, with credit for your completed units.