Diploma of Leadership and Management

The Diploma of Leadership and Management is a one-year qualification for people who want to step into team leader, supervisor or front-line management roles, or who already hold one and want formal recognition of what they do. It sits at the diploma level of the Australian Qualifications Framework, which places it above a certificate IV and below an advanced diploma or bachelor degree. At The Imperial College of Australia it is delivered over one year, and the CRICOS course code is 104181C, so international students can enrol on a Student visa.

What you actually study

The coursework centres on the practical side of managing people and operations. You learn how to plan and monitor work schedules, manage budgets and financial plans, lead and support a team, build relationships with stakeholders, and deal with the performance and conduct issues that come up in any workplace. Units are assessed through assignments, case studies, role plays and workplace-based tasks rather than long written exams, which suits people who learn by doing. Australian diplomas are made up of units of study, each carrying credit points, and you need to complete all the required units to graduate. If you later go on to a bachelor degree, some institutions may give you credit for units you have already passed, but that is decided by the receiving institution, so check with them directly.

How it is structured

Delivery follows the Australian academic calendar, with intakes typically aligned to semester or trimester periods. The exact sequence of units and the number of credit points are set out in the course structure on the official page, and you should confirm the current intake dates and unit list there before you apply. There is no research thesis at diploma level. Instead, assessment is competency-based, meaning you demonstrate that you can perform management tasks to the standard expected in a real workplace. Some units can be completed through work-integrated learning if you are already employed in a relevant role, and the college can advise on whether your workplace is suitable.

Who it suits

This diploma suits three groups. First, people already working as supervisors or team leaders who want a recognised qualification to back up their experience. Second, career changers moving into office or operations management from a trade or service background. Third, international students who want an Australian qualification that leads into further study, such as a bachelor degree in business or management, with credit where the receiving institution allows it. English proficiency is required for international applicants. The common standard for coursework at this level is IELTS Academic 6.0 to 6.5 overall, with TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, Cambridge C1 Advanced and the college's own English programmes accepted as equivalents. The Department of Home Affairs also sets a separate English threshold for the Student visa itself, so make sure you meet both.

Studying in Australia

While you study, a Student visa lets you work up to 48 hours per fortnight during term and unlimited hours during scheduled course breaks. After you finish, the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream may allow you to stay and work in Australia, depending on your qualifications and visa rules at the time. Tuition fees are published on the CRICOS register, and you should check the official page for the current amount, intake dates and English requirements before you apply.

• Team leader or supervisor, retail, hospitality, logistics, manufacturing and community services organisations across Australia
• Office or administration manager, small and medium businesses, professional services firms and government agencies
• Operations coordinator, transport, warehousing, facilities management and healthcare providers
• Front-line manager, banks, insurers, call centres and customer service operations
• Project support officer, construction, IT and consulting firms
• Small business owner or manager, running your own operation with formal management training behind you

Graduates often use the diploma as a stepping stone into a bachelor degree in business, management or a related field, with credit for completed units where the receiving institution approves it.