Diploma of Hospitality Management

The Diploma of Hospitality Management is a two-year qualification that prepares you for supervisory and management roles in hotels, restaurants, events, and tourism operations. You will study how a hospitality business actually runs: rostering and labour cost control, food and beverage service management, front office and accommodation operations, marketing and social media for venues, financial reporting, and the legal responsibilities around food safety, liquor licensing, and workplace health and safety. Assessment is practical as well as written, so you will spend time in training kitchens, simulated service environments, and on placement in real venues.

How the qualification is structured

Australian diplomas sit at Level 5 on the Australian Qualifications Framework, below a bachelor degree and above a certificate IV. This one is delivered over two years, usually across four study periods or semesters. You complete a set of core units plus electives, each carrying credit points, and you need to pass all required units to graduate. Many diplomas include a work-integrated learning component, a supervised placement in a hotel, restaurant, event company, or catering operation, because hospitality employers hire on demonstrated service and shift-management experience, not just theory.

What you will learn

By the end you should be able to write a roster that meets a wage budget, handle a customer complaint without escalating it, read a profit and loss statement for a food and beverage outlet, run a function from bump-in to bump-out, and brief a team on allergen and hygiene requirements. You will also cover revenue management basics, stock and purchasing, and the interpersonal side of leading casual staff who often work across multiple venues.

Who it suits

This diploma suits school leavers who want a practical, industry-facing start, career changers moving into hospitality, and people already working in venues who want formal recognition before stepping into a supervisor or duty manager role. It also provides a pathway into a bachelor degree in hospitality, tourism, or business, often with credit for the units you have completed. If you are an international student, you can work up to 48 hours per fortnight while your course is in session, and you may be eligible for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream after graduating. Check the official CRICOS listing and the college's page for current unit details, entry requirements, and intake dates before you apply.

• Duty manager or shift supervisor, hotels, pubs, clubs, and restaurants across Australia
• Food and beverage supervisor, hotel outlets, function centres, and catering companies
• Front office supervisor, accommodation providers, resorts, and serviced apartments
• Events coordinator, conference venues, wedding suppliers, and event management firms
• Restaurant or cafe manager, independent venues and hospitality groups
• Housekeeping supervisor, hotels and short-stay accommodation operators
• Tourism operations coordinator, tour companies, visitor centres, and experience providers