Diploma in Business | Flinders Online

Diploma in

Business

Diploma in

Business

Take charge and succeed!

Build the skills and knowledge you need to grow in today’s fast-moving business world.

Apply now

Enquire now

Fast Facts

Entry requirements

ATAR

50.00

GPA

3.50

STAT

132/200

Find out more

TAFE/VET

Certificate
III

Bridging course

Completion of Flinders Foundation Studies

Duration

1 year

Delivery mode

Online

Availability

Full-time, part-time

Start dates

March, July

Annual indicative fees (2025)

$16,992 (CSP)

Assumed knowledge

None

Prerequisites

None

Duration

1 year

Delivery mode

Online

Availability

Full-time, part-time

Start dates

March, July

Annual indicative fees (2025)

$16,992 (CSP)

Assumed knowledge

None

Prerequisites

None

Overview

Overview Course details Career opportunities Your academics Entry requirements Enquire now

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Study the Diploma in Business at Flinders

Kickstart your business career in 12 months.

Study the Diploma in Business at Flinders

Kickstart your business career in 12 months.

Develop essential business skills in management, accounting and finance, marketing and business analytics.

Upon completion, you’ll be ready for new job opportunities, or you can choose to seamlessly transition into the second year of a wide range of Flinders University bachelor degrees. This includes the Bachelor of Business, with specialisations including options for majors and minors in Human Resource Management, Marketing, Management, International Business or Sports Management.

What you will study

You’ll study 6 core topics covering essential business functions including accounting, management, finance, economics, marketing and law, and 2 additional optional topics from human resource management, sports, tourism, design thinking and more.

What you will study

You’ll study 6 core topics covering essential business functions including accounting, management, finance, economics, marketing and law, and 2 additional optional topics from human resource management, sports, tourism, design thinking and more.

Core topics

Interpreting and Visualising Business Data
Finance and Accounting for Leaders
Managing in Modern Organisations
Assessing Economic Environments
Marketing Principles in the Digital Era
Applying Business Law

Option topics

Organisational Behaviour
Coding for Business
Academic and Professional Communication
Introduction to Sport and Active Recreation
Innovative and Creative Thinking: Recognising Opportunities
Introduction to Tourism Studies

Core topics

Interpreting and Visualising Business Data
Finance and Accounting for Leaders
Managing in Modern Organisations
Assessing Economic Environments
Marketing Principles in the Digital Era
Applying Business Law

Option topics

Organisational Behaviour
Coding for Business
Academic and Professional Communication
Introduction to Sport and Active Recreation
Innovative and Creative Thinking: Recognising Opportunities
Introduction to Tourism Studies

Apply now

Course handbook

Your career

The Diploma in Business prepares you for roles in administration, customer service, sales and support across various industries. It also lays the foundation for further study, giving you the skills to pursue advanced qualifications and unlock broader career opportunities in business and management.

Your career

The Diploma of Business prepares you for roles in administration, customer service, sales and support across various industries. It also lays the foundation for further study, giving you the skills to pursue advanced qualifications and unlock broader career opportunities in business and management.

Potential occupations

Marketing Manager

Office Manager

Human Resources Assistant

Sales Support Officer

$110,000*

$85,000*

$74,984*

$70,512*

*Typical salaries are drawn from a variety of sources, including Seek, Glassdoor and Indeed, and may vary. Please do your own research.

Potential employers

Corporate businesses
Government agencies
Non-profit organisations
Consulting firms
Retail and hospitality companies

Professional accreditations

Participants gain a University Diploma on completion, which is AQF accredited. 

The program also provides a pathway or credit into the Bachelor of Business and a range of other Flinders University degrees.

ACHSM

Australasian College of Health Service Management

Potential occupations

Marketing Manager

Office Manager

Human Resources Assistant

Sales Support Officer

$110,000*

$85,000*

$74,984*

$70,512*

*Typical salaries are drawn from a variety of sources, including Seek, Glassdoor and Indeed, and may vary. Please do your own research.

Potential employers

Corporate businesses
Government agencies
Non-profit organisations
Consulting firms
Retail and hospitality companies

Professional accreditations

Participants gain a University Diploma on completion, which is AQF accredited. 

The program also provides a pathway or credit into the Bachelor of Business and a range of other Flinders University degrees.

Practical experience

You’ll gain practical experience sought by employers through a curriculum that emphasises:

Practical experience

You’ll gain practical experience sought by employers through a curriculum that emphasises:

Real-world business concepts

Industry insights and case studies

Hands-on assessments and problem-solving

Real-world business concepts

Industry insights and case studies

Hands-on assessments and problem-solving

Real-world business concepts

Industry insights and case studies

Hands-on assessments and problem-solving

Flinders University is a future you can count on

Flinders University is ranked top 2% globally*.

Fast track your career in just 12 months.

Gain practical skills in analytics, strategy, management and business operations.

Use proven business tools to set up a business, meet organisational objectives and lead people.

Flexible online study - study anywhere, anytime and start, stop and restart your studies when life allows.

Pathway to further study. Gain 1-year credit into a range of Flinders Business degrees.

Flinders University is ranked top 2% globally*.

Fast track your career in just 12 months.

Gain practical skills in analytics, strategy, management and business operations.

Use proven business tools to set up a business, meet organisational objectives and lead people.

Flexible online study - study anywhere, anytime and start, stop and restart your studies when life allows.

Pathway to further study. Gain 1-year credit into a range of Flinders Business degrees.

*THE World University Rankings 2023 & QILT 2021 Graduate Outcomes Survey-longitudinal

Meet your academics

Our incredible teaching and professional staff are experts in their fields and well-connected to the industry.

Meet your academics

Our incredible teaching and professional staff are experts in their fields and well-connected to the industry.

Dr Mahmoud Moussa

Lecturer (Teaching Specialist - Acad), College of Business, Government and Law

A passionate lecturer in Human Resource Management, Mahmoud brings 15 years of global teaching experience from Thailand, Melbourne and Adelaide. He’s the author of two influential books on cross-cultural management and innovation and has published over 40 papers on leadership and workplace innovation.

See full profile

Dr Mahmoud Moussa

Lecturer (Teaching Specialist - Acad), College of Business, Government and Law

Show less

A passionate lecturer in Human Resource Management, Mahmoud brings 15 years of global teaching experience from Thailand, Melbourne and Adelaide. He’s the author of two influential books on cross-cultural management and innovation and has published over 40 papers on leadership and workplace innovation.

See full profile

Dr Rajesh Johnsam

Senior Lecturer, College of Business, Government and Law

With years of experience in HR, leadership and real-world consulting, Rajesh is all about turning business theory into action. His teaching connects you to modern business trends like AI and helps you become a confident leader in any organisation.

See full profile

Dr Rajesh Johnsam

Senior Lecturer, College of Business, Government and Law

Show less

With years of experience in HR, leadership and real-world consulting, Rajesh is all about turning business theory into action. His teaching connects you to modern business trends like AI and helps you become a confident leader in any organisation.

See full profile

Associate Professor Angie Shafei

Dean of Business MD DBA

Angie Shafei is an interdisciplinary clinical pathologist, health management consultant and researcher. With 20+ years of experience, she focuses on innovation, health transformation and digital health. Co-founder of Innovate Inn, she excels in research commercialisation and has published extensively in digital health and patient-centred service models.

See full profile

Associate Professor Angie Shafei

Dean of Business MD DBA

Show less

Angie Shafei is an interdisciplinary clinical pathologist, health management consultant and researcher. With 20+ years of experience, she focuses on innovation, health transformation and digital health. Co-founder of Innovate Inn, she excels in research commercialisation and has published extensively in digital health and patient-centred service models.

See full profile

Dr Mahmoud Moussa

Lecturer

A passionate lecturer in Human Resource Management, Mahmoud brings 15 years of global teaching experience from Thailand, Melbourne and Adelaide. He’s the author of two influential books on cross-cultural management and innovation and has published over 40 papers on leadership and workplace innovation.

See full profile

Dr Rajesh Johnsam

Senior Lecturer

With years of experience in HR, leadership and real-world consulting, Rajesh is all about turning business theory into action. His teaching connects you to modern business trends like AI and helps you become a confident leader in any organisation.

See full profile

Associate Professor Angie Shafei

Dean of Business MD DBA

Angie Shafei is an interdisciplinary clinical pathologist, health management consultant and researcher. With 20+ years of experience, she focuses on innovation, health transformation and digital health. Co-founder of Innovate Inn, she excels in research commercialisation and has published extensively in digital health and patient-centred service models.

See full profile

Entry requirements

To be accepted into this course, applicants must meet at least one of the following entry requirements:

Entry requirements

To be accepted into this course, applicants must meet at least one of the following entry requirements:

ATAR

50.00

GPA

3.50

STAT

132/200

Find out more

TAFE/VET

Certificate III

ATAR

50.00

GPA

3.50

STAT

132/200

Find out more

TAFE/VET

Certificate III

Bridging course

Completion of Flinders Foundation Studies

Bridging course

Completion of Flinders Foundation Studies

Have a question?

Find the answers to some of our most frequently asked questions.

Have a question?

Find the answers to some of our most frequently asked questions.

Is a Diploma in Business the same as an MBA?

No, a Diploma in Business is not the same as an MBA. The Diploma in Business is a foundational qualification designed to provide students with essential business knowledge and skills, suitable for entry-level positions or further study. It focuses on practical business concepts and prepares graduates for a range of roles in the business world.

An MBA (Master of Business Administration) is an advanced postgraduate degree aimed at professionals with work experience who are looking to develop their leadership, strategic thinking and management skills. The MBA offers a deeper, more comprehensive understanding of business practices and is designed to prepare graduates for senior management or executive roles.

Do I need to finish Year 12 to do a Diploma in Business?

No, you do not need to have completed Year 12 to enrol in the Diploma in Business at Flinders University. We offer flexible entry pathways for students, including those with prior work experience or other qualifications. Our admissions process considers a range of factors, so even if you haven’t completed Year 12 you may still be eligible to apply. We encourage you to reach out to our admissions team to discuss your specific situation and find the best path forward for your studies.

How long does it take to complete?

A Diploma in Business can be completed in one year of full-time study, or about two years of part-time study. Some courses offer accelerated study options.

How to apply?

Select your preferred course.

Check the entry requirements and your eligibility.

Check the key application and enrolment dates.

Apply and submit your application via Direct Entry.

Who is eligible to apply?

Flinders Online courses are available for Australian or New Zealand citizens, Australian permanent residents, holders of Australian permanent humanitarian visas and Pacific Engagement visa holders.

International students in Australia who hold a student visa are not eligible to apply.

For further information regarding course eligibility, refer to the individual entry requirements for each course.

When do I apply?

You are encouraged to apply as soon as possible and by no later than teaching commencement dates. If places fill, applications for your preferred start date may close without notice and you will be considered for the next available intake.

Semester 1: teaching commences 3 March 2025 – Applications close 28 February 2025
Semester 2: teaching commences 28 July 2025 – Applications close 25 July 2025

Some courses have non-standard semester commencement dates as follows:

February Study Period: teaching commences 24 February 2025 – Applications close 21 February 2025
June Study Period: teaching commences 30 June 2025 – Applications close 27 June 2025
September Study Period: teaching commences 29 September 2025 – Applications close 26 September 2025

Please refer to the individual Flinders Online course for more information.

Other critical and key dates