Diploma of Hospitality Management

The Diploma of Hospitality Management at Yarra College Australia is a practical qualification for people who want to run the show in hotels, restaurants, events and food service. You learn how to manage staff, control stock and costs, plan menus, handle legal compliance and deliver the kind of service that keeps customers coming back. The course is delivered over 1.5 years, which is longer than a standard one-year diploma and gives you more time to build skills and complete a substantial work placement.

Australian diplomas are made up of units of study, each with a set number of credit points. You'll typically study full-time across semesters or trimesters, with a mix of classroom learning and hands-on training in commercial kitchens, restaurants or simulated service environments. Because hospitality is a field where you learn by doing, work-integrated learning is a core part of the diploma. You'll spend time in a real venue, a hotel, restaurant, club or event company, applying what you've learned under supervision. Assessment is practical: you'll be observed on the job, write operational reports, complete projects and sit some written tests. There's no huge research thesis at this level, but you may complete a capstone-style project where you plan and run an event or develop a business plan for a hospitality venture.

You'll graduate with skills in rostering, budgeting, workplace health and safety, food safety, marketing, and leading a team. You'll also understand how to handle difficult customers, manage suppliers and comply with liquor and gaming regulations. These are the day-to-day skills that hospitality employers in Australia look for.

This diploma suits people who are already working in hospitality and want to move into a supervisory or management role, as well as school leavers who want a hands-on qualification without committing to a three-year bachelor degree. It's also a good fit if you're considering further study, you may get credit towards a bachelor degree in hospitality or business. International students should check the official CRICOS page for Yarra College Australia (course code 112701F) for current tuition, entry requirements and English language details. Remember that while you study, your student visa lets you work up to 48 hours per fortnight, and after you finish you may be eligible for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream. Confirm all details on the official page.

• Duty manager or shift supervisor in a hotel, motel or resort
• Restaurant manager or front-of-house supervisor
• Event coordinator or banquet supervisor
• Food and beverage manager
• Catering manager for clubs, aged care or corporate venues
• Bar or gaming supervisor (with additional state licences)
• Small business owner in cafés, restaurants or catering

These roles are found across Australia in hotels, pubs, clubs, restaurants, event companies, airlines, aged care and tourism operators. The diploma also gives you a pathway into further study, such as a bachelor degree in hospitality management or business.