Diploma of Business

The Diploma of Business is a one-year qualification at AQF diploma level, sitting just below a bachelor degree. It's a practical introduction to how organisations run: you study units in areas like business communication, marketing, financial processes, customer service and workplace operations. Assessment is typically a mix of assignments, case studies, presentations and exams rather than a single final test. There is no research thesis at diploma level, and no honours year, that comes later if you continue to a bachelor degree.

How the course is structured

Australian diplomas are made up of units of study, each with a set number of credit points. A full-time load is usually eight units across two semesters or trimesters, though some providers offer three study periods a year so you can finish faster or spread the load. The course is delivered by Oxford College Australia Pty Ltd, and the CRICOS code is 115549G. Tuition is published on the CRICOS register, so check there for the current figure. Because this is a diploma, it's common to see work-integrated learning built in, a placement or simulated workplace project, rather than a capstone research subject. Confirm the exact unit list and placement requirements on the official course page.

What you actually learn

You come out able to write a business report, read a profit and loss statement, run a small project, deal with customers and work in a team. Those are the skills employers ask for in entry-level admin, sales and operations roles. The diploma also gives you a pathway: many students use it as a stepping stone into a bachelor degree, sometimes with credit for the units already completed.

Who it suits

School leavers who want a shorter, cheaper start before committing to a three-year degree. People already working in an office who want a formal qualification. International students looking for a one-year course that meets Australian study requirements. If you're an international applicant, you'll need to show English proficiency, IELTS Academic 6.0–6.5 overall is the usual standard for courses at this level, with TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, Cambridge C1 Advanced and the provider's own English programmes accepted as equivalents. The Department of Home Affairs sets a separate English threshold for the Student visa itself, so check both. While studying, a Student visa generally allows 48 hours of work per fortnight, and the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream may be available after you finish, depending on your circumstances. Always confirm details on the official page.

• Administration officer or office coordinator in professional services, government or education
• Customer service or sales support roles in retail, banking and telecommunications
• Team leader or supervisor in small to medium businesses
• Accounts payable/receivable clerk or payroll assistant
• Marketing assistant or events coordinator
• Business development support in Australian firms
• Pathway into a bachelor degree in business, commerce or management