Advanced Diploma of Marketing and Communication

The Advanced Diploma of Marketing and Communication is a practical, industry-focused qualification that sits at the diploma level of the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF). It's delivered over 1.5 years, typically across three or four study periods (semesters or trimesters), depending on the provider's timetable. You'll complete a set of core and elective units of study, each carrying credit points, covering areas like consumer behaviour, marketing communications, digital marketing, market research, campaign development and public relations. Assessment is usually a mix of assignments, group projects, presentations and exams, with a strong emphasis on applying theory to real business scenarios.

What you'll actually study

Units are designed around the tasks marketing and communication professionals do daily: building campaign briefs, analysing market data, writing copy for different channels, planning social media content, managing client relationships and measuring return on investment. Some providers include a capstone unit where you pull everything together into a full marketing plan for a real or simulated organisation. Work-integrated learning can take the form of an internship, a live client project or a simulated workplace, giving you something concrete for your portfolio before you graduate. If you're an international student, you can work up to 48 hours per fortnight while your course is in session, which is a chance to get local experience in retail, events or agency support roles.

How it fits into the Australian system

This qualification is registered on CRICOS (course code 104901J), which means it's available to international students on a Student visa. English requirements for international applicants are typically 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 visa itself, so check both. After finishing, you may be eligible for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream, depending on your visa and study history. Always confirm the current rules on the official government pages.

Who this suits

If you want a hands-on marketing qualification that gets you into the workforce quickly, or you're already working in a related area and want formal recognition, this course is a good fit. It also suits students who plan to pathway into a bachelor degree later, often with credit for the units you've completed. The course is offered by Strathfield College and Jacaranda College in Sydney, so you'll be studying in one of Australia's biggest marketing and media job markets. Tuition fees are published on the CRICOS register, and you should confirm all details, including unit lists, study periods and start dates, directly with the institution or on the official CRICOS page.

• Marketing coordinator – supporting campaign delivery, tracking budgets and coordinating with creative teams in agencies, retail, or not-for-profits.
• Digital marketing assistant – managing social media accounts, scheduling content, and pulling basic analytics for small businesses or in-house marketing teams.
• Communications officer – drafting media releases, internal newsletters and stakeholder updates for government departments, universities or community organisations.
• Public relations assistant – helping run events, media monitoring and client reporting in PR agencies or corporate affairs teams.
• Sales and marketing support – working with sales teams to prepare proposals, maintain customer databases and coordinate promotions in industries like property, tourism and technology.
• Advertising account coordinator – liaising between clients and creative teams, managing timelines and assisting with campaign production in advertising agencies.

These roles are common across Australian industries including retail, hospitality, professional services, education, health, government and the creative sectors. Many graduates use the qualification as a stepping stone into a bachelor degree with credit, or to specialise further in areas like digital analytics, brand management or event marketing.