Online Graduate Certificate in Sustainable Enterprise

Online Graduate Certificate in Sustainable Enterprise

POSTGRADUATE

Don’t just make a living. Make an impact.  

Student type:
Learning mode:
Online
Entry score:

See admissions*

Duration:
Part-time 8 months
Next intake:
1 Sept 2025
Location:
Online
Learning mode:
Online
Entry score:

See admissions

Duration:
Part-time 8 months
Next intake:
1 Sept 2025
Location:
Online

Please use plan code GC216OX in the application system for this degree.

Master the principles of sustainability and lead the charge in building innovative, impact-driven enterprises that make a difference.

RMIT Online logo on a blue background.

Next intake
1 September

Applications close for next intake
25 August

Future intakes

  • 27 October

Program overview

Why study the Graduate Certificate in Sustainable Enterprise online?

End-to-end sustainability for real-world success

Explore how the circular economy and sustainable supply chains unlock innovation, growth, and competitive advantage.

A top-ranked leader in sustainability education

Study at a university ranked 4th in Australia for Environmental Impact (QS Sustainability Rankings 2023).

Globally recognised for driving positive change

Learn at a university ranked 5th worldwide for Sustainable Impact (2024 Times Higher Education Impact Rankings).

Our Graduate Certificate in Sustainable Enterprise is not just a course; it's a critical investment in your future career in a world where sustainability is becoming increasingly non-negotiable for businesses.

As global challenges around climate change, resource management, and social inequality grow more urgent, organisations need professionals who can drive positive change while creating value. By studying this course, you'll gain the expertise needed to lead in the rapidly evolving landscape of sustainable business.

This course equips you with the practical knowledge to address environmental, social, and economic challenges in real-world settings, preparing you for leadership roles in a variety of sectors – from corporate strategy and supply chain management to social entrepreneurship and sustainable finance.

As the demand for sustainability expertise continues to rise, you'll be well-positioned to lead change, secure senior roles, and shape the workplaces of tomorrow with responsible, future-focused strategies. Investing in this qualification means preparing for a career that not only thrives professionally but also contributes to building a better, more sustainable future for all.

By the end of this Graduate Certificate in Sustainable Enterprise, you'll be able to:

  • Critically review and analyse business models with regard to sustainability and social development priorities, incorporating global and local perspectives
  • Analyse risks and opportunities associated with different types of enterprises and their impact, including environmental, social and governance factors
  • Design and propose sustainable business models which support business strategy
  • Devise solutions and recommendations for organisations to implement to address environmental, social and economic challenges
  • Present reports, proposals and plans to stakeholders, partners, communities to advocate for and monitor sustainable business approaches.

Career outlook

Take a closer look at the opportunities available with a career in Sustainability.

As a graduate, you'll be equipped with the skills and knowledge needed to bring sustainability principles into your business or to lead entrepreneurial sustainability ventures. Some examples of the roles you will be ready to step into include:

  • Sustainability Manager
  • Sustainability Advisor
  • Change Manager
  • Project Officer
  • Consultant
  • Procurement Manager
  • Head of Social License

Why choose RMIT Online

Get a world-class education and transform your career.

Real world skills

Develop skills that have been validated by industry, while getting credentialed by a world-leading university.

Industry connected

You'll gain knowledge and practical skills from renowned industry partners who are at the forefront of their field.

Flexible delivery

Advance your career while you study. RMIT Online courses let you balance work, study and life commitments.

Supported community

Be guided by a network of industry experts and peers, and supported by our dedicated success team.

Course structure

Gain the expertise to integrate sustainability into business practices, from designing sustainable business models to managing ethical supply chains. You'll learn to assess environmental, social, and governance factors, develop solutions for complex sustainability challenges, and lead change through innovative strategies that make a real impact on both business performance and the world around you.

Subjects in this degree

  • BUSM2689 Sustainable Business Models
  • BUSM2690 Sustainable Supply Chain Management
  • BUSM2693 Social Entrepreneurship and Sustainable Development
  • BUSM2696 Sustainable Financial Management and Reporting

Individual subject details

Course overview

This course introduces the concept of sustainable business models (SBM) and emphasises changes to business models as a key approach for creating innovations that promote social and environmental sustainability while creating economic value for organisations.

You will enhance your skills and knowledge in sustainability, business strategy, and innovation. You will develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills, enabling you to tackle sustainability challenges in organisational contexts. This course will prepare you for success in a business environment increasingly focused on social, environmental, and economic sustainability and ethical governance.

Learning outcomes

  • Evaluate contemporary theory and practices of sustainability and sustainable business models, and their implications for the local and global environment, society and the economy.
  • Assess the challenges and opportunities facing businesses when adopting sustainable business models, and critically analyse potential strategies and practices.
  • Apply relevant tools and frameworks to design a sustainable business model that integrates advanced sustainable practices.
  • Demonstrate effective communication skills to engage stakeholders, while seeking support for sustainable business models and strategies.
  • Critically evaluate the role of innovation on advancing sustainable business practices, and identify potential enablers and barriers in their adoption, considering relevant legal, compliance and ethical considerations.

Course overview

Sustainable supply chain management presents difficult strategic and ethical challenges at different stages of production, distribution and/or service for managers impacting environmental, social and governance (ESG) outcomes. Effective management of these challenges requires considered attention to design principles, industry conditions, the international context, e-commerce, a cleaner environment, carbon emissions, and fair labour practices while delivering shareholder and stakeholder value.

This course includes a work-integrated learning (WIL) experience where your knowledge, range of skills and teamwork will be applied to a real-world industry situation or simulated real world context. Feed forward and feedback from the for-profit industry and/or the non-profit community will be an important element of this experience.

Learning outcomes

  • Manage, negotiate and be able to lead the interaction of sustainable supply chain management with the variety of functions of the business firm (i.e., accounting, finance, marketing, information technology, human resources) in an international setting.
  • Undertake synthesis of the range of issues and challenges that need to be overcome to deliver sustainable supply chain management in a complex environment, with an appreciation of the influence and effect of the external environment, including different levels of government and different legal frameworks in different legal jurisdictions.
  • Evaluate, negotiate, lead, work in teams and communicate fully formed and integrated solution development of supply chain management problems and opportunities in the big business and SME sector, and do this in a variety of industry settings.
  • Apply research principles and methods to evaluate, navigate, negotiate, solve and communicate sustainable supply chain management problems and opportunities to deliver shareholder and stakeholder value to the organisation - the full range of ESG outcomes.

Course overview

The Social Entrepreneurship and Sustainable Development course is designed to equip you with the knowledge, skills, and mindset to create sustainable solutions to social and environmental challenges. The course covers the principles and practices of social entrepreneurship, sustainable development, and impact investing, and provides opportunities for students to apply these concepts in practical settings.

The course introduces you to the concept of social entrepreneurship and its role in creating positive social and environmental impact. It covers the principles of sustainable development, including environmental sustainability, social responsibility, and economic viability, and explores how these principles can be applied to business practices. The course also examines the role of impact investing in promoting sustainable development and social impact.

By the end of the course, you will have gained the skills and knowledge to create sustainable solutions that address social and environmental challenges and to lead change for sustainable development and social impact in your future career.

Learning outcomes

  • Analyse the principles and practices of social entrepreneurship and sustainable development to determine how they can address social and environmental challenges.
  • Evaluate the social, environmental, and economic impacts of sustainable development and social entrepreneurship on Indigenous, national and global communities.
  • Design and develop innovative and sustainable business models and strategies that apply the principles and practices of sustainable development to provide solutions to social and environmental challenges.
  • Demonstrate effective communication and collaboration skills to facilitate the development of socially responsible and sustainable business models and strategies.

Course overview

Sustainability has become a global megatrend that affects us all. Companies increasingly engage in sustainable business operations, and investors are committed to the principles of responsible investments.

You will study the evidence of how environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors matter and explain in detail how to incorporate these in financial management decisions and value creation. You will learn the latest developments in sustainability finance, sustainability reporting frameworks and standards. It explores the role of sustainability in financial models and strategies, equity investing, bond investing, and bank lending etc.

The course also examines the different sustainability financing instruments and products available to organisations, and how these can be designed and implemented to achieve specific sustainability goals.

Learning outcomes

  • Evaluate the concept of sustainable finance and its role in achieving long-term value creation for businesses and investors.
  • Analyse the environmental, social, and governance (ESG) risks and opportunities that affect financial performance and develop strategies for addressing these risks and opportunities.
  • Evaluate the different sustainability reporting frameworks and standards and apply them to create meaningful sustainability reports for different stakeholders.
  • Design and propose solutions for sustainability financing instruments and products to achieve specific sustainability goals.

Get more information about what you will learn in each of these courses.

Admissions requirements

To be eligible for the Graduate Certificate in Sustainable Enterprise, you must have:

  • An Australian bachelor's degree or equivalent, or higher-level qualification, in any discipline.

If you do not meet the above entry requirement for the Graduate Certificate, you may be considered if you have a minimum of 5 years of full-time equivalent work experience. Applicants will be required to submit a full curriculum vitae (CV).

You must meet the University’s minimum English language requirements for postgraduate coursework programs to be eligible for a place in this program.

Upon successful completion of the Graduate Certificate in Sustainable Enterprise, you may pursue further study through a pathway to RMIT's Online Master of Business Administration (MBA).

If you choose to continue studying towards RMIT Online's MBA, you can specialise or select individual courses based on your career goals and aspirations with 6 future-focused and on-trend specialisations.

Completion of an additional 8-12 courses at a master's degree level affords you both graduate certificate and master's qualifications.

RMIT assesses each student’s prior learning and qualifications to grant credit so you can complete your online postgraduate degree sooner. Your application will be decided on a case-by-case basis. RMIT aims to grant as much credit as possible at the time of offer, so it’s important to provide as much evidence of prior study and work experience as possible with your application.

To be eligible for the Graduate Certificate in Sustainable Enterprise, you must have:

  • An Australian bachelor's degree or equivalent, or higher-level qualification, in any discipline.

If you do not meet the above entry requirement for the Graduate Certificate, you may be considered if you have a minimum of 5 years of full-time equivalent work experience. Applicants will be required to submit a full curriculum vitae (CV).

International students are required to provide current evidence of English language proficiency for admission to RMIT University.

For detailed information on English language requirements and other proficiency tests recognised by RMIT, visit English language requirements and equivalency information.

RMIT's Online Graduate Certificate in Leadership does not meet Australian Student Visa requirements. For an Australian student visa, you must have an on-campus place in a program of study.

Upon successful completion of the Graduate Certificate in Sustainable Enterprise, you may pursue further study through a pathway to RMIT's Online Master of Business Administration (MBA).

If you choose to continue studying towards RMIT Online's MBA, you can specialise or select individual courses based on your career goals and aspirations with 6 future-focused and on-trend specialisations.

Completion of an additional 8-12 courses at a master's degree level affords you both graduate certificate and master's qualifications.

RMIT assesses each student’s prior learning and qualifications to grant credit so you can complete your online postgraduate degree sooner. Your application will be decided on a case-by-case basis. RMIT aims to grant as much credit as possible at the time of offer, so it’s important to provide as much evidence of prior study and work experience as possible with your application.

Fee summary

2025 indicative fees

In 2025, the annual student contribution amount (tuition fee) you will pay for the standard year of full-time study in the Graduate Certificate in Sustainable Enterprise is:

  • AU$4,800 per course
  • Total AU$19,200^ for 4 courses

Additional expenses

  • Student services and amenities fee (SSAF): AU$365 maximum fee for 2025
  • Other items related to your program, including field trips, textbooks and equipment.

^Fees apply to 2025 only and are adjusted on an annual basis. Typically increase each year and may change without notice. Total fees are estimates and should only be used as a guide.

Paying your fees and applying for refunds

For information on how to apply for a deferral, withdrawal or refund please see deferrals and withdrawals.

In addition to tuition fees, you will be charged an annual student services and amenities fee (SSAF), which is used to maintain and enhance services and amenities that improve your experience as an RMIT student.

The SSAF is calculated based on your enrolment load and the maximum fee for 2025 is AU$365.

You may also be required to purchase other items related to your program, including field trips, textbooks, and equipment. These additional fees and expenses vary from program to program. Find out more about calculating your actual SSAF.

FEE-HELP loans

Some students may be eligible to apply to defer payment of some or all of their tuition fees via the Commonwealth Government’s FEE-HELP loan scheme. FEE-HELP is for eligible full-fee paying students and allows you to defer payment of your tuition fees to the Australian Tax Office up to your HELP limit.

SA-HELP loans

You may be eligible to apply to defer payment of the student services and amenities fee (SSAF) through the SA-HELP loan scheme. If you use SA-HELP, the amount will be added to your accumulated HELP debt.

How does a HELP loan work?

If your FEE-HELP and/or SA-HELP loan application is successful, the Australian Government will pay RMIT, on your behalf, up to 100% of your fees. This amount will become part of your accumulated HELP debt.

You only start repaying your accumulated HELP debt to the Australian Government once you earn above the minimum income threshold for repayment, which is set each year by the Australian Government (this also applies if you are still studying.) 

The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) will calculate your compulsory repayment for the year and include this on your income tax notice. For more information about loan repayment options see Commonwealth assistance (HELP loans) or Study Assist. 

Visit our HELP loans page for lots of useful information about eligibility, how to apply and payment. You can apply for FEE-HELP once you have enrolled in a degree.

HELP loans are not available to international students.

2025 indicative fees

In 2025, the annual student contribution amount (tuition fee) you will pay for the standard year of full-time study in the Graduate Certificate in Sustainable Enterprise is:

  • AU$4,800 per course
  • Total AU$19,200^ for 4 courses

Additional expenses

  • Student services and amenities fee (SSAF): AU$365 maximum fee for 2025
  • Other items related to your program, including field trips, textbooks and equipment.

^Fees typically increase each year and may change without notice. Total fees are estimates and should only be used as a guide.

Paying your fees and applying for refunds

For information on how to apply for a deferral, withdrawal or refund please see deferrals and withdrawals.

In addition to tuition fees, you will be charged an annual student services and amenities fee (SSAF), which is used to maintain and enhance services and amenities that improve your experience as an RMIT student.

The SSAF is calculated based on your enrolment load and the maximum fee for 2025 is AU$365.

You may also be required to purchase other items related to your program, including field trips, textbooks, and equipment. These additional fees and expenses vary from program to program. Find out more about calculating your actual SSAF.

Learn with industry experts

Program Manager – Kevin Argus

Associate Professor Kevin Argus is a driving force in circular economy, leading RMIT's interdisciplinary efforts for sustainability as co-chair of the RMIT Circular Economy Hub and Lead of a Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) Food Waste Reduce Grant Project. The Hub enables interdisciplinary research grant collaboration and HDR supervision across the University. Kevin also chairs the Gender Equity Diversity and Inclusion Reference Group (Leadership and Governance) for the College and is the MBA Program Director (2022-2025).

Student success team, RMIT Online

Our student success team are here to help you with 1:1 coaching, tips on how to successfully study online, and any questions or concerns you may have.

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For a closer look at what you'll do in this program and where it can take you, fill out this form to get your free course guide

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Looking for answers or more general information?

Use our Frequently Asked Questions to learn about the application process and its equity access schemes, find out how to accept or defer your offer or request a leave of absence, discover information about your fees, refunds and scholarships, and explore the various student support and advocacy services, as well as how to find out more about your preferred program, and more.

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Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Sentient' by Hollie Johnson, Gunaikurnai and Monero Ngarigo.

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