Diploma of Accounting

The Diploma of Accounting is a one-year qualification for people who want to work in bookkeeping, accounts payable and receivable, payroll, or junior accounting roles, or who want a recognised credential before going on to further study. It sits at the diploma level on the Australian Qualifications Framework, below a bachelor degree, and is delivered over one year of full-time study. You'll study core accounting units covering financial accounting, management accounting, budgeting, taxation, and accounting software used in Australian workplaces. Assessment is typically a mix of assignments, practical tasks, and exams, with some units built around real workplace scenarios.

How the course is structured

Australian diplomas are made up of units of study, each carrying a set number of credit points. You need to complete the required number of units to graduate, and the exact unit list and credit point values are set out in the course structure on the official page. Delivery may be semester-based or trimester-based depending on the institution's calendar. There is no research thesis at diploma level. Some providers include a work placement or industry project unit, and you should check the official course page to confirm whether placement is part of your program and how it is arranged.

What you'll learn

You'll learn to prepare and maintain financial records, process journal entries, reconcile bank statements, prepare BAS and other compliance documents, use accounting software such as MYOB or Xero, and apply Australian tax and reporting rules to everyday business transactions. You'll also build the communication and problem-solving skills needed to work with clients, managers, and colleagues in an office setting.

Who it suits

This diploma suits school leavers who want a practical start in accounting without committing to a three-year degree, career changers moving into finance or bookkeeping, and international students who want an Australian qualification and a pathway into further study. If you plan to become a registered tax agent or a chartered accountant, you'll need to continue to higher qualifications; a diploma is a stepping stone, not the end point. International students should confirm English language requirements, tuition, and intake dates on the official CRICOS register and the institution's page, as these details are updated regularly.

• Accounts clerk, maintaining ledgers, processing invoices, and reconciling accounts in small and medium businesses.
• Bookkeeper, managing day-to-day financial records for businesses, often using cloud accounting software.
• Payroll officer, processing wages, superannuation, and payroll tax in line with Australian requirements.
• Accounts payable/receivable officer, managing supplier payments and customer invoices.
• Assistant accountant, supporting qualified accountants with reporting, budgeting, and compliance tasks.
• Taxation assistant, helping tax agents prepare returns and lodgements during peak periods.

Graduates work across accounting firms, bookkeeping practices, government departments, not-for-profits, and the finance teams of private companies in most Australian industries. The diploma also provides a pathway into bachelor degree study in accounting or business, which is usually required for professional accreditation with bodies such as CPA Australia or Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand. International graduates may be eligible for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream, depending on the visa requirements at the time. While studying, student visa holders can work up to 48 hours per fortnight once their course has started.