-
Top 2% universities worldwide
-
Top 10 Catholic universities globally
-
Top 40 young universities worldwide
Diploma in Business
Course information for - 2023 entry
Offered at 4 locations
- Study mode
- Attendance, Multi-mode
- Duration
- 1 year full-time or equivalent part-time
- CRICOS Code
- 084317F
- IELTS
- Overall score: 6.0 Individual score of: 5.5 in all tests
- Fees (first year)*
- $29664
- Start dates
- February 2024, July 2024, February 2025, July 2025
Overview

The Diploma in Business is an important stepping-stone to achieve your career and study goals. Students who undertake this diploma will be able to gain credit for up to the first year of study and articulate into the second year of many of the bachelor degrees in business at ACU, or exit with the Diploma in Business as a standalone qualification.
Not only does our Diploma in Business have lower entry requirements than our bachelor degrees, but it will help you to develop skills needed to succeed in more advanced tertiary study.
Our Diploma in Business provides domestic students with a Commonwealth supported place (CSP-funded), and will help you achieve your goals.
We are here to support you from start to finish whether you have just finished Year 12 or finished years ago. We ensure smaller class sizes, offer tailored support as you transition to university study, and provide a range of student services to help you succeed.
Course details
Course structure
To complete the Diploma in Business, a student must complete 80 credit points (cp).
Sample program map
Year - Study period | Unit 1 | Unit 2 | Unit 3 | Unit 4 | Unit 5 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year 1 Semester 1 | BUSD104 Money Matters data-versionlabel=2 > | BUSD112 Managing Markets data-versionlabel=2 > | BUSD113 Managing People and Organisations data-versionlabel=2 > | DPBI100 Academic Literacy in Business and Information Technology data-versionlabel=2 > | |
Year 1 Semester 2 | ECOD200 Economics: Policy Frameworks and Markets data-versionlabel=2 > | MKTD207 Marketing Toolkit data-versionlabel=2 > | HRMD204 Organisational Behaviour data-versionlabel=2 > | ITED100 Information Technology in Action data-versionlabel=2 > |
This is a sample program only and units will vary depending on your campus and mode of study. Please refer to the handbook for the prerequisite units and the current listing.
AQF framework
Exit Points
N/A
Entry requirements
International applicants
If you’re an international applicant you’ll need the equivalent of an Australian Year 12 Certificate.
Find the equivalent qualification for your country
You’ll also need to comply with the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy , including the English Language Proficiency requirements.
If you’re an international student completing one of the following qualifications, you will need to apply for admission through your local Tertiary Admission Centre (TAC) and be assessed on your performance in these studies (i.e. your ATAR or equivalent):
- an Australian Year 12 qualification (either outside or in Australia)
- an International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma
- a New Zealand National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) Level 3.
English language requirements
International applicants need to meet the English Language Proficiency requirements as defined in Schedule Three (Associate Degree, Diploma and Certificate courses) of the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy .
The entry requirements are as follows:
IELTS: Overall score: 6.0 individual score of: 5.5 in all tests
PTE: 50 with a minimum of 42 in all four communicative skills
TOEFL: Internet based total of 60: minimum 18 in writing, 8 in reading, 16 in speaking and 7 in listening
ACU English Language Test: C (60-64%)
CAE: Overall CAE: 169 Individual score of at least 162 in all tests.
Adjustment factors
If you’re currently completing Year 12 you may be eligible for adjustment factors that can boost your rank and help you get into your desired course.
Adjustment factors may be applied to your TAC application if you study particular subjects, attend schools geographically close to our campuses or in certain regional areas, apply as an elite athlete or performer or meet certain other criteria.
Inherent requirement
There are essential components of a course or unit that demonstrate the capabilities, knowledge and skills to achieve the core learning outcomes of that course or unit. You will need to be able to meet these inherent requirements to complete your course.
Learn more about inherent requirements for your course and how they affect you
Pathways
Pathways into course for international applicants
International students who are enrolled in an English language course may be eligible for a pathway into the Diploma in Business on successful completion of the course.
Further study
Students who complete the Diploma in Business may apply for entry into the Bachelor of Commerce, Bachelor of Business Administration and Bachelor of Commerce/Bachelor of Business Administration. Credit will be given for units completed in the diploma program. It may also provide a pathway to a range of double degrees.
Fees
Course costs
- Unit fee: $3708
- Average first year fee: $29664
- Estimate total cost: $29664
Payment options
You should be able to concentrate on getting good marks instead of worrying about how you’ll pay your fees. We have a number of options that can help you ease the financial burden, including government assistance, scholarships and income support.
Scholarships
You could be eligible for one of the hundreds of scholarships we award each year to help students from across the university with the cost of studying, accommodation or overseas study opportunities. Some of our scholarships are awarded on the basis of merit, but these aren’t just for the academically gifted; ACU also recognises excellence in community engagement and leadership. We also offer a range of scholarships for those who may be struggling financially or who have faced other barriers to accessing education.
Staff Profile
Dr Wendy James
Associate Professor, Peter Faber Business School
Dr Wendy James is a fully Certified Management Accountant (CMA) as well as a Certified Practicing Accountant (CPA) and a Chartered Accountant (CA). Dr James was the National Head of the Accounting Discipline at the Australian Catholic University (ACU) and has been at a number of universities including Charles Darwin University (CDU) and before that Torrens University Australia (TUA), part of the international Laureate group of universities. Dr James has also spent time with the University of Adelaide and the University of South Australia where she was a senior lecturer with Open Universities Australia.
Dr Pandula Gamage
Deputy Head of School (NSW), and Senior Lecturer, Peter Faber Business School
Dr Pandula Gamage completed his PhD at La Trobe University, Master of Commerce degree (Accounting) at the University of Melbourne and the Graduate Certificate in Tertiary Education at Victoria University. Since commencing at ACU, Dr Gamage has provided and continues to provide productive and sustained leadership in a range of areas. He has taught extensively in international programs including China, Singapore, Malaysia and Vietnam. Dr Gamage also engages in high-impact research publishing in prestigious journals and received research grants linked with national professional accounting and finance associations. Prior to commencing his academic career, Dr Gamage held managerial roles in the industry. He is also a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand.