Advanced Diploma of Marketing and Communication

The Advanced Diploma of Marketing and Communication is a practical, one-and-a-half-year qualification for people who want to work in marketing and communications in Australia. It sits at the diploma level of the Australian Qualifications Framework, below a bachelor degree. You study how organisations promote themselves, how campaigns get planned and delivered, and how to write and produce content that actually reaches an audience.

What you study

The course is built around units of study, each carrying credit points. You will cover consumer behaviour, market research, advertising and promotional planning, digital marketing, public relations, copywriting, and media buying. Assessment is mostly practical, campaign plans, creative briefs, presentations, reports, rather than long exams. The exact unit list and credit point values are set by the college, so check the official course page for the current structure.

Because the qualification is an Advanced Diploma, it is shorter and more hands-on than a bachelor degree. A bachelor degree in Australia normally takes three years; an honours year adds one more. This course is 1.5 years, which means you move into the workforce sooner, or you may be able to use it as a pathway into a degree with credit for prior study, depending on the receiving institution.

How it is delivered

Delivery follows the college's academic calendar, which may run on semesters or trimesters. You will be expected to attend classes, complete assignments and, in many marketing courses, take part in a work placement or industry project. Work-integrated learning is common in this field because employers want to see that you can apply skills in a real workplace. Confirm with the college whether placement is part of your course and how it is arranged.

Who it suits

This course suits school leavers who want a fast route into marketing, career changers moving into communications, and international students looking for an Australian qualification at a lower cost and shorter duration than a degree. If you are an international student, you can work up to 48 hours per fortnight while your course is in session. After you finish, you may be eligible for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream, which lets you stay and work in Australia. English requirements for entry are typically IELTS Academic 6.0–6.5 overall, or an accepted equivalent such as TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic or Cambridge C1 Advanced. The Department of Home Affairs sets a separate English threshold for the Student visa itself, so check both. Tuition is published on the CRICOS register, and you should confirm all details on the official course page before applying.

• Marketing coordinator, supporting campaign delivery for agencies, retailers, or in-house teams.
• Digital marketing assistant, running social media, email, and search campaigns.
• Public relations assistant, drafting media releases, organising events, and monitoring coverage.
• Content producer, writing blogs, social posts, and website copy for brands and publishers.
• Advertising account coordinator, liaising between clients and creative teams in an agency.
• Market research assistant, collecting and analysing consumer data to inform campaigns.
• Communications officer, managing internal and external messaging for government, not-for-profits, or corporations.

Australian industries that hire these roles include advertising and media agencies, retail and e-commerce, tourism and hospitality, financial services, health, education, government, and not-for-profit organisations. Many graduates start in assistant or coordinator roles and move into specialist or management positions with experience.