Diploma of Leadership and Management

The Diploma of Leadership and Management at Richmond School of Business is a one-year qualification for people who want to step into team leader, supervisor or frontline management roles. You study how organisations run day to day, how to lead staff, manage budgets and operational plans, and handle the kind of workplace problems that come up when you are responsible for other people's work.

What you actually study

This is a diploma, which sits above a certificate IV and below an associate degree on the Australian Qualifications Framework. It is delivered over one year of full-time study. Depending on the timetable, that usually means three study periods across the year rather than the two semesters a bachelor degree uses. You complete a set of units of study, each worth credit points, and you need to pass all of them to graduate. Typical unit areas include leading and managing team effectiveness, developing and using emotional intelligence, managing operational plans, managing budgets and financial plans, and supporting innovation and continuous improvement. Assessment is a mix of written tasks, case studies, role plays and practical projects rather than exams alone.

Skills you build

You learn to write a work plan and then actually run it. You practise giving feedback to a staff member who is not performing, chairing a meeting that has an agenda and finishes on time, reading a profit and loss statement, and putting together a business case for a change you want to make. Group work is common, and so is presenting to a small audience. By the end you should be able to walk into a workplace and take responsibility for a small team without needing someone to hold your hand.

Who it suits

This diploma suits three groups. First, people already working in retail, hospitality, aged care, logistics or an office who have been asked to supervise others and want formal training to back it up. Second, school leavers who want a shorter, practical business qualification before deciding whether to continue to a degree. Third, international students looking for an Australian qualification in leadership and management that can lead into further study. If you are an international student, you can work up to 48 hours per fortnight while your course is in session, and after you finish you may be eligible for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream, depending on your circumstances. English proficiency is required for entry; the published requirement for this level is usually 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 also sets its own English threshold for the Student visa. Tuition is published on the CRICOS register under course code 104377B, and you should confirm fees, intake dates and unit details on the official page before you apply.

• Team leader or supervisor in retail, hospitality, warehousing, call centres, aged care and community services.
• Office or administration manager in small and medium businesses, professional services firms and not-for-profits.
• Frontline manager in logistics, transport, manufacturing and food processing.
• Assistant manager or duty manager in hotels, clubs, restaurants and tourism operators.
• Coordinator or project support officer in government agencies, health services and education providers.
• Small business owner or operator managing staff, rosters and budgets.

These roles are found across Australia in almost every industry, with the strongest demand in health care and social assistance, retail trade, accommodation and food services, and administrative and support services.