Advanced Diploma of Accounting

Advanced Diploma of Accounting - FNS60222

VOCATIONAL

Deepen your understanding of contemporary accounting practice and apply your skills in an industry-based work placement.

Apply Enquire Download Brochure
Student type:
Learning mode:
On campus
Entry score:

Not applicable*

Duration:
Full-time 1 year
Part-time 2 years
Fees:

Fee finder

Next intake:
February, July
Location:
Melbourne City
Learning mode:
On campus
Entry score:

See admissions

Duration:
Full-time 1 year
Fees:

AU$26,500 (2026 total)

Next intake:
February, July
Location:
Melbourne City

Pursue your career as a tax agent or prepare for further accounting studies.

Apply your skills and knowledge of accounting systems and internal controls as you undertake a work placement with an accounting entity.

Designed for those wishing to undertake further studies in accounting, the Advanced Diploma of Accounting extends the theoretical and technical skills required to pursue specialised work in the varied accounting and financial services industries.

The skills you will learn in this advanced diploma include:

  • implementing and maintaining accounting systems
  • maintaining internal control systems and conducting internal audit activities
  • preparing financial statements for corporate reporting entities
  • reporting on business performance
  • managing small teams
  • contributing to the development of business plans
  • preparing internal accounting reports for management
  • preparing tax returns and providing tax advice for legal entities.

Study options include full-time and part-time blended delivery. 

This training is delivered with Victorian and Commonwealth Government funding.

Details

Expand all sections

Learning and teaching

In this advanced diploma, you will undertake structured learning activities and authentic assessments in a largely face-to-face setting.

In the latter part of your study, you will have the opportunity to apply the skills and knowledge acquired to the real-world tasks undertaken as part of an industry-based work placement.

In addition to the practical placement opportunity, RMIT offers a variety of other learning and teaching approaches including seminars, workshops, presentations, group discussions and project work.

Assessment methods

Ongoing assessment throughout the semester includes supervised tests, reports, oral presentations, role plays, group projects, and practical assignments.

Learning at RMIT

The types of classes you have will depend on the course you’re studying. Classes are offered in various formats designed to provide meaningful engagement with staff, industry and peers and provide for access and use of spaces where learning can be applied and active, including an array of specialised equipment.

Most RMIT courses do not include passive large-scale classes such as lectures, instead the content traditionally provided in lectures is made available online. This may be in the form of readings, videos or other on-demand learning materials. This content will also support the basis of interactive learning that takes place in on-campus classes.

RMIT Capabilities

The world is constantly changing, and there are universal skills that can help you adapt to the evolving nature of work and global engagement.

As part of your study experience at RMIT, we provide 6 future-focused RMIT Capabilities:

  • Ethical Global Citizens
  • Connected
  • Adaptive
  • Digitally Adept
  • Expert
  • Critically Engaged.

RMIT Capabilities are built into your course as well as some of our extracurricular experiences. They inform the design and delivery of your learning activities and assessments, so by the time you graduate, you’ll be ready to apply these capabilities in your life and work.

RMIT University is committed to providing you with an education that strongly links formal learning with professional or vocational practice.

In addition to industry events, industry guest speakers are invited to speak about current issues and will provide you with an experienced perspective on study topics and work-simulated scenarios. 

The Industry Advisory Committee includes representatives of major accounting and bookkeeping professional bodies (Association of Accounting Technicians, Institute of Certified Bookkeepers, Institute of Public Accountants, Chartered Accountants [Australia and New Zealand] and CPA Australia) as well as high-profile industry practitioners from a broad cross-section of small and large organisations.

This course is competency-based and has been designed to help you develop the practical skills and knowledge necessary to work effectively in your chosen field. You will learn and be assessed by practising and demonstrating your capabilities, all of which can be readily applied in the workplace.

In addition to the specific vocational skills you build throughout this course, you will also develop a set of essential employability skills, including communication, planning, organising, and problem solving, self-management, initiative and teamwork. These foundational skills will enable you to navigate the world of work, collaborate effectively with others, and successfully get the job done.

This advanced diploma comprises 14 subjects (3 core and 11 elective subjects).

Major areas of study include: 

  • corporate governance
  • commercial law
  • economics
  • accounting systems
  • taxation for legal entities
  • internal and external auditing
  • financial management
  • insolvency
  • management accounting
  • company financial accounting.

Course structure

Choose a plan below to find out more about the subjects you will study and the course structure.

Advanced Diploma of Accounting
Program code: C6181
National curriculum code: FNS60222
Title
Location
Duration
Plan code
CRICOS
Advanced Diploma of Accounting
City Campus
Full Time 1 Years
C6181
113126B
Location
City Campus
Duration
Full Time 1 Years
Plan code
C6181
CRICOS
113126B
View plan
Advanced Diploma of Accounting
City Campus
Full-time 1 Years
C6181
113126B
Location
City Campus
Duration
Full-time 1 Years
Plan code
C6181
CRICOS
113126B
View plan

Important information for international students

International student visa holders can only study full-time.

Career

This industry-facing advanced diploma is designed to advance your career as a specialised accounting professional, tax agent, or assistant accountant. 

Graduates will meet the educational requirements for registration as a tax agent as prescribed by the Tax Practitioners Board (TPB) under the Tax Agent Services Act (2009). 

There are other conditions to be met in order to register as a tax agent (including a supervised work experience component) and graduates seeking tax agent registration are urged to check current licensing requirements with the TPB.

To become an accredited accountant, you must successfully complete the Bachelor of Accounting.

Entry requirements and admissions

You need to satisfy all of the following academic (entry) requirements to be considered for entry into this course.

Successful completion of:

  • FNS50222 Diploma of Accounting

or

  • FNS50217 Diploma of Accounting or equivalent. 

NOTE: BSBTEC402 Design and produce complex spreadsheets (or equivalent) must also have been completed

There are no prerequisite subjects required for entry into this qualification.

A selection task is not required for entry into this qualification.

You need to satisfy all of the following requirements to be considered for entry into this course.

You must have successfully completed the Diploma of Accounting at RMIT University, or an equivalent program at other institution.

There are no prerequisite subjects required for entry into this qualification.

A selection task is not required for entry into this qualification.

To study this program you will need to complete one of the following English proficiency tests:

  • IELTS (Academic): minimum overall band of 5.5 (with no individual band below 5.0)
  • TOEFL (Internet Based Test - IBT): minimum overall score of 50 (with minimum of 5 in Reading, 5 in Listening, 14 in Speaking and 15 in Writing)
  • Pearson Test of English (Academic) (PTE (A)): minimum score of 42 (with no communication band less than 36)
  • C1 Advanced: minimum of 162 with no less than 154 in any component.

Note: RMIT does not accept scores from 'at-home' or 'online' testing.

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

Don't meet the English language test scores? Complete an English for Academic Purposes (EAP) Upper Intermediate at RMIT University Pathways (RMIT UP).

Pathways and further study

A pathway is an alternative way to get into a course. RMIT's pathways can help you move through different levels of study to reach the qualification you're aiming for, even if you don't meet the requirements for your destination course.

Pathways into the Advanced Diploma of Accounting

This course has pathways available.

Further study

When you successfully complete this advanced diploma, you may be eligible to apply for further studies at RMIT such as an associate degree or bachelor degree.

Expand all sections

You are guaranteed entry to the Advanced Diploma of Accounting when you successfully complete the Diploma of Accounting.

Successful completion of the Advanced Diploma of Accounting guarantees entry into one of the following RMIT programs. The major you choose to study may determine the amount of credit you will be eligible to receive:

  • Bachelor of Accounting - you will receive 192 credit points of exemptions (equivalent to 2 years full-time study)
  • Bachelor of Business - you will receive:
    • 144 credit points of exemptions (equivalent to 1.5 years full-time study) - any major (excluding Financial Planning (with accreditation) and Business Information Systems) or no major
    • 120 credit points of exemptions (equivalent to 1-year full-time study) - Financial Planning major (with accreditation)
    • 108 credit points of exemptions (equivalent to 1-year full-time study) - Business Information Systems major
  • Bachelor of Business Professional Practice - you will receive:
    • 120 credit points of exemptions (equivalent to 1-year full-time study) - any major (excluding Financial Planning (with accreditation) and Business Information Systems) or no major
    • 84 credit points of exemptions (equivalent to 0.5-year full-time study) - Financial Planning major (with accreditation)
    • 72 credit points of exemptions (equivalent to 0.5-year full-time study) - Business Information Systems major

Alternatively, you may be eligible for entry into other RMIT undergraduate programs.

Credit and recognition of prior learning

Credit, recognition of prior learning, professional experience and accreditation from a professional body can reduce the duration of your study by acknowledging your earlier, relevant experience.

Credit and exemptions will be assessed consistent with the principles of the RMIT Credit Policy.

Find out more about Credit and RPL at RMIT

Credit may reduce the duration of your study by acknowledging your earlier, relevant study experience.

When you are submitting an application, please indicate that you want to be considered for credit and provide detailed course syllabus (also known as course outline), outlining volume of learning, course content and weekly topics, learning objectives/outcomes, assessment types and their weightings, and reference to the learning resources such as prescribed textbooks and recommended readings.

Learn more about international credit transfers

Fees

Expand all sections

Tuition fees

The tuition fees you will pay for this program will depend on whether you are offered a Victorian Government subsidised place or a full-fee place. To find out if you are eligible for a government subsidised place, follow the steps at How to check if you are eligible.

  • 2026 government subsidised place (without concession): AU$9,000*
  • 2026 full-fee place: AU$14,750*

*Fees shown are indicative only and subject to change given individual circumstances at the time of enrolment.

Fee finder

Use our fee finder to get an estimate of your fees for this program.

Additional expenses

  • Student services and amenities fee (SSAF): AU$373 maximum fee for 2026*.
  • Other items related to your program, including field trips, textbooks and equipment.

Annual fee adjustment

The student tuition fees as displayed by the fee finder are indicative only and subject to change given individual circumstances at enrolment. Fees are adjusted on an annual basis and these fees should only be used as a guide.

Defer your payment

The Australian Government provides financial assistance via the VET Student Loans scheme, which allows eligible students in eligible programs to defer payment of their tuition fees, up to the maximum loan amount for their program.

Payments and refunds

For information on how to pay your fees or how to apply for a refund, please see Paying your fees and applying for refunds.

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 2026 is $373.

You may also be required to purchase other items related to your course, including field trips, textbooks and equipment. These additional fees and expenses vary from course to course.

VET Student Loans

The Australian Government provides financial assistance via the VET Student Loans scheme, which allows eligible students in eligible courses to defer payment of their tuition fees, up to the maximum loan amount for their course.

How does a VET Student Loan work?

If your VET Student Loan application is successful, the Australian Government will pay RMIT your tuition fees on your behalf, up to the maximum loan amount for your course.

Your VET Student Loan becomes part of your VETSL debt. You will start repaying your accumulated VETSL debt to the Australian Government once you earn above the minimum income threshold for repayment, which is adjusted each year (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.

The Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology advises that:

  • VET student loans will not be approved for students who do not meet eligibility requirements; and
  • a VET student loan gives rise to a HELP debt that continues to be a debt due to the Commonwealth until it is repaid.

For more information see VET Student Loans or Study Assist.

VET Student Loan cap

If your course is eligible for the VET Student Loan scheme and has a loan cap that doesn’t cover the total amount of the tuition fees for your course, then you’ll need to pay RMIT the difference by the due date once you exceed the cap.

It’s easy for you to keep track of your VET Student Loan debt, and you can choose to make upfront payments at any time before the census date. 

Expand all sections

In addition to tuition fees you also need to pay for:

You also need to account for your living expenses. Estimate the cost of living in Melbourne.

Student services and amenities fee (SSAF)

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 2026 is $373. 

Find out more details about how fees are calculated and the expected annual increase.

Applying for refunds

Find information on how to apply for a refund as a continuing international student.

Scholarships

Check your eligibility for a scholarship

RMIT awards more than 2000 scholarships every year to recognise academic achievement and assist students from a variety of backgrounds.

Check your eligibility for a scholarship

RMIT awards more than 2000 scholarships every year to recognise academic achievement and assist students from a variety of backgrounds.

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.

Visit our Frequently Asked Questions
aboriginal flag float-starttorres strait flag float-start

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.

Learn more about our commitment to Indigenous cultures