Advanced Diploma of Marketing and Communication

The Advanced Diploma of Marketing and Communication is a practical, one-and-a-half-year qualification for people who want to work in marketing, advertising, public relations or communications. It sits at the diploma level of the Australian Qualifications Framework, which means it is job-focused and sits below a bachelor degree. You will study units that cover consumer behaviour, market research, digital marketing, campaign planning, brand management, copywriting and media relations. Assessment is mostly practical: you might write a marketing plan for a real or simulated business, run a social media campaign, pitch to a panel, or analyse data from a client brief.

How the course is structured

Australian diplomas are usually delivered over two or three semesters, or trimesters, depending on the provider. Each unit of study carries a set number of credit points. To finish the Advanced Diploma, you need to pass all core units and any electives. Some providers offer a work placement or industry project as part of the course, which gives you credit towards your qualification and real experience to put on your resume. You should check the official course page for the exact unit list, delivery mode and whether placement is included.

What you will learn

You will learn how to research a market, identify a target audience, build a marketing plan, write for different channels, manage a budget, and measure whether a campaign worked. Communication skills are central: presenting, writing clearly, and working in a team. By the end, you should be able to put together a portfolio of work that shows what you can do. This is not a theory-heavy degree. It is hands-on and designed to get you ready for an entry-level role or to stack into further study, such as a bachelor degree with credit for your diploma units.

Who it suits

This course suits school leavers who want a practical start, career changers who need marketing skills quickly, and people already working in admin, sales or communications who want a formal qualification. International students are welcome. While you study in Australia on a Student visa, you can work up to 48 hours per fortnight during the semester and unlimited hours during scheduled course breaks. After you finish, you may be eligible for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream, which lets you stay and work in Australia for a period. English requirements for entry are typically IELTS Academic 6.0–6.5 overall, or an equivalent accepted by the provider. Always confirm the current tuition, intake dates, English requirements and unit details on the official CRICOS register and the provider's page.

• Marketing assistant or coordinator
• Digital marketing assistant
• Social media coordinator
• Public relations assistant
• Communications officer
• Advertising account coordinator
• Market research assistant
• Content creator or copywriter

These roles are found in advertising and media agencies, corporate marketing departments, not-for-profits, government communications teams, retail and e-commerce businesses, and event management companies across Australia.