Gain a broad understanding of business with a diploma that will enhance your career.
It will cover personal and team effectiveness, communication with customers, business continuity for sustainability and risk, and business success through planning.
Build on existing skills with learning tailored to the needs of current and future work environments.
Undertake work-related projects to develop practical skills and apply knowledge.
Take advantage of our partnerships with the Essendon Football Club and Cricket Victoria.
The Diploma of Business offers students the opportunity to work within various functions of business. It's like a taster to the different things that students may be exposed to within a workplace.
- Annie Barry, Diploma of Business teacher
You will undertake work-related projects to develop practical skills and apply knowledge, demonstrating your abilities to function effectively in a business role.
Ongoing assessment throughout the semester includes reports, presentations, projects, research, and practical activities, exercises, and assignments.
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.
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:
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.
In the Diploma of Business you will undertake work-related projects to develop practical skills and apply knowledge, demonstrating your abilities to function effectively in a business role.
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 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.
You will study 12 subjects, covering topics including:
Choose a plan below to find out more about the subjects you will study and the course structure.
International student visa holders can only study full-time.
Throughout this diploma, you will develop business communication and professional development skills, with the aim of building on existing knowledge and gaining a broad understanding of a range of business functions.
After graduation, you may choose to transition to further education or employment opportunities. Possible career paths include small business owner, business manager and coordinator-level roles involving business planning, project management, resourcing, marketing or social media.
You need to satisfy all of the following academic (entry) requirements to be considered for entry into this course.
Applicants must meet one of the following minimum academic requirements:
OR
Applicants are advised to apply for either the Essendon Football Club C5407EFC plan or Melbourne Cricket Education Academy C5407MCE plan, and if successful, will be made an offer for both the Diploma of Leadership and Management and the Diploma of Business. See Diploma of Leadership and Management for details and admissions requirements.
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 a qualification recognised by RMIT as equivalent to the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) (see calculator below).
Equivalent qualifications may also include completion of the RMIT Foundation Studies program or a recognised post-secondary diploma in the relevant discipline with the required grades.
Meeting the minimum academic requirements does not guarantee entry. Your application will still need to be assessed and accepted.
Please note: September intake is not available to advanced entry students.
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:
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).
If you are currently in Australia on an asylum seeker visa, please contact the Domestic Admissions team on +61 3 9925 8795 or directadmissions@rmit.edu.au for information on how to apply.
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.
This course has pathways available.
Graduates of this course will be guaranteed entry into the course/s below. Credit may apply which will reduce the total duration of the destination course. See destination course page/s for full details on entry and credit.
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February, July
On campus
February, July On campusYou can gain entry to this diploma from RMIT Foundation Studies or a range of vocational study courses.
Successful completion of the Diploma of Business 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:
Alternatively, you may be eligible for entry into other RMIT undergraduate programs.
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.
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.
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.
Students will undertake and graduate with 2 qualifications – the Diploma of Business and the Diploma of Leadership and Management.
In 2026, the total tuition fees for these diplomas are:
2026 full-fee only paying place: students will be charged up to a maximum AU$21,930 per annum*
2026 full-fee and Government-subsidised place: students will be charged up to a maximum AU$20,015 per annum*
*Fees shown are indicative only and subject to change given individual circumstances at the time of enrolment.
Use our fee finder to get an estimate of your fees for this program.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
For more information see VET Student Loans or Study Assist.
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.
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.
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.
Find information on how to apply for a refund as a continuing international student.
RMIT awards more than 2000 scholarships every year to recognise academic achievement and assist students from a variety of backgrounds.
RMIT awards more than 2000 scholarships every year to recognise academic achievement and assist students from a variety of backgrounds.
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.
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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