Diploma of Business

The Diploma of Business at the National Institute of Education and Technology is a one-year qualification that gets you into the working mechanics of business. You study how organisations run: accounting basics, marketing principles, managing people, business communication, and the legal and economic setting Australian companies operate in. Assessment is a mix of exams, reports, group projects and presentations, so you are writing and speaking as well as reading. The course is registered on CRICOS (course code 107102E), which means it is open to international students on a Student visa.

How the qualification is structured

Australian diplomas sit at Level 5 on the Australian Qualifications Framework. They are shorter and more applied than a bachelor degree, which is normally three years. You complete a set of units of study, each worth credit points, usually spread across two semesters or trimesters. There is no research thesis at this level. Instead, you build practical skills through tutorials, case studies and, where the provider arranges it, work-integrated learning such as an industry project or placement. If you pass, you may be able to use your credit points towards a bachelor degree at this institution or another one, though you should confirm the exact credit arrangements with the receiving university.

What you actually learn

By the end you can read a balance sheet, put together a simple marketing plan, write a business report that a manager would actually use, and work in a team without dropping the ball. You also get a handle on workplace law, customer service and the basics of managing money and projects. These are the skills that small and large Australian employers ask for in entry-level roles.

Who it suits

This diploma suits school leavers who want a practical business qualification without committing to a three-year degree, people already working in administration or retail who want a formal credential, and international students who need an Australian qualification before moving into a bachelor programme. While you study on a Student visa you can work up to 48 hours per fortnight once your course has started, which gives you local experience alongside the classroom. When you finish, the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream may be an option depending on your visa situation, check the Department of Home Affairs for current rules. Tuition is published on the CRICOS register; confirm fees, entry requirements and English equivalents (IELTS Academic 6.0–6.5 overall is the common coursework standard) on the official page.

• Administration officer or team leader in government, health or education
• Sales and customer service coordinator in retail or wholesale
• Marketing assistant or events coordinator
• Accounts payable/receivable clerk or payroll assistant
• Business development support in professional services
• Operations assistant in logistics, manufacturing or hospitality
• Small business owner or manager