Diploma of Hospitality Management

The Diploma of Hospitality Management is a one-year qualification for people who want to work in hotels, restaurants, events, clubs and resorts. It sits at the diploma level of the Australian Qualifications Framework, which means it is practical, job-focused and usually delivered over two or three trimesters. You study units of study, each worth credit points, and you need to pass all of them to graduate. The course covers food and beverage service, front office operations, housekeeping, rostering, budgeting, workplace health and safety, and how to lead a small team. You also learn how to handle customer complaints, manage stock, and follow liquor licensing and food safety rules.

Because hospitality is a hands-on industry, most diplomas include a work placement or practical training component. You might spend time in a real venue, a hotel, a restaurant, a function centre, supervised by staff, or run a simulated service in the institute's training kitchen or restaurant. Assessment is a mix of written tasks, practical demonstrations and projects. Some providers offer a capstone unit where you plan and run an event or a service period from start to finish, which pulls together everything you have learned.

Graduates come out ready for supervisory roles. You will know how to write a roster, cost a menu, manage a budget, and keep a team working safely. You will also have customer service skills that transfer across the industry. The diploma is a good fit if you are already working in hospitality and want to move up, or if you are starting out and want a qualification that gets you into a supervisory position faster than on-the-job training alone. It also suits international students who want an Australian qualification and some work experience.

International students should check the English requirement for their visa and their course. The Student visa (subclass 485) temporary graduate stream is not available for this diploma, it applies to bachelor degrees and above. While you study, your visa usually lets you work up to 48 hours per fortnight. Tuition is published on the CRICOS register; check the official page for exact fees, start dates and English equivalents. The course is registered on CRICOS (code 112188G) for international students.

• Duty manager or shift supervisor in a hotel, motel or resort
• Food and beverage supervisor or restaurant manager
• Front office supervisor or guest services manager
• Events coordinator or banquet supervisor
• Housekeeping supervisor
• Club or pub duty manager
• Cafe or catering manager

These roles are found across Australia in hotels, resorts, restaurants, cafes, clubs, event venues, aged care and hospital catering, and tourism operators. The diploma also gives you credit towards further study, such as a bachelor degree in hospitality or business, where you may receive credit for some units.