Diploma of Accounting

The Diploma of Accounting at Southern Academy of Business and Technology is a one-year qualification for people who want practical accounting skills and a recognised Australian credential. You'll study the core of financial accounting: how to record transactions, prepare financial statements, reconcile accounts and work with ledgers. Alongside that, you'll cover business law and how it applies to everyday accounting, computerised accounting systems, and the tax rules that shape BAS statements and GST. The course is taught in Australia and delivered in English, with classes structured around units of study and credit points, just like other Australian diplomas.

This diploma sits at the diploma level on the Australian Qualifications Framework, which means it's a shorter, job-focused qualification. It's typically delivered over two semesters, though some providers use trimesters. You'll complete a set number of units, each worth credit points, and the course is built so you can move into the workforce or continue into a bachelor degree with credit for your studies. Assessment is a mix of exams, assignments and practical tasks, often using the accounting software that Australian businesses actually run. There's no research thesis at this level, that comes later if you go on to honours or a master's. Work-integrated learning may be part of the course, so you could spend time in an accounting practice or business setting as part of your studies. Confirm the exact structure and any placement requirements on the official page.

You'll finish with skills employers ask for: preparing financial reports, using accounting software, understanding compliance and lodging tax documents. You'll also get better at the spreadsheet work and attention to detail that accounting demands. The course suits school leavers who want a fast route into an office job, career changers who need the basics before going further, and people already working in bookkeeping or admin who want to formalise their experience. If you're an international student, you can work up to 48 hours per fortnight while you study, and after you finish you may be eligible for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream, depending on your circumstances. Check the Department of Home Affairs for visa rules.

English requirements for international applicants are IELTS Academic 6.0–6.5 overall for this level, or an accepted equivalent like TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic or Cambridge C1 Advanced. The Student visa has its own English threshold set by the Department of Home Affairs, so you'll need to meet both. Tuition is published on the CRICOS register, check there for the current figure. Always confirm entry requirements, semester dates and credit arrangements on the official Southern Academy of Business and Technology page before you apply.

• Accounts clerk or assistant accountant, working in accounting firms, bookkeeping practices and small businesses across Australia.
• Bookkeeper, managing day-to-day records, reconciliations and payroll for organisations in retail, trades and professional services.
• Payroll officer, processing wages and superannuation, often in medium to large Australian companies.
• Tax assistant, helping with BAS lodgements and GST compliance in tax agencies and accounting practices.
• Financial administration officer, supporting finance teams in government departments, banks and not-for-profits.
• Credit or loans officer, assessing applications in banks, credit unions and finance companies.