Graduate Certificate in Business Administration | Flinders Online

Graduate Certificate in

Business Administration

Graduate Certificate in

Business Administration

Gain business skills in 3 months.

Upskill fast in business and leadership.

Apply now

Enquire now

Fast Facts

Entry requirements

1+ years relevant work experience or a bachelor's degree

See entry requirements

Duration

3 months

Delivery mode

Online

Availability

Full-time, part-time

Start dates

February, July, October

Annual indicative fees (2025)

$17,820 (full fee paying)

Available for midyear entry?

Yes

Duration

3 months

Delivery mode

Online

Availability

Full-time, part-time

Start dates

February, July, October

Annual indicative fees (2025)

$17,820 (full fee paying)

Available for midyear entry?

Yes

Overview

Overview Course details Career opportunities Your academics Entry requirements Enquire now

Apply now

Study a Graduate Certificate in Business Administration

Your experience counts. You only need one year of relevant work experience to qualify for this Graduate Certificate.

Study a Graduate Certificate in Business Administration

Your experience counts. You only need one year of relevant work experience to qualify for this Graduate Certificate.

Flinders University is ranked in the top 2% globally and No. 1 in Australia for postgraduate employment*. Our course is designed for professionals wanting to upskill fast in business and leadership to achieve their career goals quicker. Plus, you can transition seamlessly into a full MBA once you graduate.

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

What you will study

You will complete 4 topics built in partnership with industry and learn in-demand skills in business, leadership and strategy. Complete the course in 3 months by selecting all 4 topics in one study period, or study part-time by selecting topics across multiple study periods.

What you will study

You will complete 4 topics built in partnership with industry and learn in-demand skills in business, leadership and strategy.

Complete the course in 3 months by selecting all 4 topics in one study period, or study part-time by selecting topics across multiple study periods.

Study Period 1

February to May

Economic Environments: Assessing Current and Future Markets
Driving Financial Performance
Marketing in a Digital Age
Building Teams and Networks

Study Period 2

July to September

Researching Markets
Ethics, Sustainability and Governance
Business Analytics
Trends in Business Finance

Study Period 3

October to December

Artificial Intelligence in Business Practice
Creating Resilient Supply Chains and Procurement
Emerging Business Models: Disruptions, Collaboration & Competition
Leading a Future Workforce

Study Period 1 - February to May

Core topics

Economic Environments: Assessing Current and Future Markets
Driving Financial Performance
Marketing in a Digital Age
Building Teams and Networks

Study Period 2 - July to September

Core topics

Researching Markets
Ethics, Sustainability and Governance
Business Analytics
Trends in Business Finance

Study Period 3 – October to December

Core topics

Artificial Intelligence in Business Practice
Creating Resilient Supply Chains and Procurement
Emerging Business Models: Disruptions, Collaboration & Competition
Leading a Future Workforce

Apply now

Course handbook

Your career

Learn skills and build confidence to take on leadership roles in private and government sectors, including management, operations, and strategic initiatives. It’s an ideal program for those looking to strengthen their qualifications for future career growth.

Your career

Learn skills and build confidence to take on leadership roles in private and government sectors, including management, operations, and strategic initiatives. It’s an ideal program for those looking to strengthen their qualifications for future career growth.

Potential occupations

Executive Officer

Team Leader

Project Coordinator

Business Administrator

Operations Assistant

Marketing Assistant

$115,000*

$100,000*

$90,000*

$75,000*

$65,000*

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

Potential employers

Financial Institutions
Small and Medium Enterprises
Corporations and Consulting Firms
Government Agencies
Non-profit Organisations

Potential occupations

Executive Officer

Team Leader

Project Coordinator

Business Administrator

Operations Assistant

Marketing Assistant

$115,000*

$100,000*

$90,000*

$75,000*

$65,000*

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

Potential employers

Financial Institutions
Small and Medium Enterprises
Corporations and Consulting Firms
Government Agencies
Non-profit Organisations

Practical experience

Gain practical skills in leading businesses in a dynamic, interconnected, global and increasingly digital world.

Practical experience

Gain practical skills in leading businesses in a dynamic, interconnected, global and increasingly digital world.

Experience interactive, case-based teaching

Debate and reflect on real-world issues

Experience interactive, case-based teaching

Debate and reflect on real-world issues

Experience interactive, case-based teaching

Debate and reflect on real-world issues

Industry placements

Swap any topic for an optional 12-week industry placement to gain exposure to new industries or re-enter the workforce.

Industry placements

Swap any topic for an optional 12-week industry placement to gain exposure to new industries or re-enter the workforce.

Industry connections

Earn industry certifications from leading organisations as you study.

Industry connections

Earn industry certifications from leading organisations as you study.

Flinders University is a future
you can count on

Flinders University is a future you can count on

Flinders University is ranked top 2% globally*.

No. 1 in Australia for postgraduate employment**.

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

Gain business skills and a valuable qualification in 3 months.

Career growth - Build confidence with practical, in-demand skills.

No bachelor's degree required - we know not everyone takes the traditional path to university.

Flinders University is ranked top 2% globally*.

No. 1 in Australia for postgraduate employment**.

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

Gain business skills and a valuable qualification in 3 months in 3 months.

Career growth - Build confidence with practical, in-demand skills.

No bachelor's degree required - we know not everyone takes the traditional path to university.

*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 Afshin Tanouri

MBA Director

Afshin Tanouri specialises in using digital technologies and gamification and his work spans mental health, wellbeing and alcohol reduction, and is published in top journals. Passionate about industry engagement and research-driven teaching, he integrates real-world experiences into his courses, covering digital marketing, sustainability, and business ethics.

See full profile

Dr Afshin Tanouri

MBA Director

Show less

Afshin Tanouri specialises in using digital technologies and gamification and his work spans mental health, wellbeing and alcohol reduction, and is published in top journals. Passionate about industry engagement and research-driven teaching, he integrates real-world experiences into his courses, covering digital marketing, sustainability, and business ethics.

See full profile

Associate Professor Angie Shafei

Dean of Business MD DBA

Angie Shafei is a business health management consultant, an interdisciplinary clinical pathologist 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 on digital health, new technologies and patient-centred healthcare.

See full profile

Associate Professor Angie Shafei

Dean of Business MD DBA

Show less

Angie Shafei is a business health management consultant, an interdisciplinary clinical pathologist 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 on digital health, new technologies and patient-centred healthcare.

See full profile

Dr Ashleigh Powell

Lecturer in Marketing

Ashleigh Powell combines her expertise in psychology and marketing to explore consumer behaviour. A lecturer at Flinders University and member of the Centre for Social Impact, she focuses on health and wellbeing, having worked with the Foundation for Alcohol Education and Research, and VicHealth.

See full profile

Dr Ashleigh Powell

Lecturer in Marketing

Show less

Ashleigh Powell combines her expertise in psychology and marketing to explore consumer behaviour. A lecturer at Flinders University and member of the Centre for Social Impact, she focuses on health and wellbeing, having worked with the Foundation for Alcohol Education and Research, and VicHealth.

See full profile

Dr Afshin Tanouri

MBA Director

Afshin Tanouri specialises in using digital technologies and gamification and his work spans mental health, wellbeing and alcohol reduction, and is published in top journals. Passionate about industry engagement and research-driven teaching, he integrates real-world experiences into his courses, covering digital marketing, sustainability, and business ethics.

See full profile

Associate Professor Angie Shafei

Dean of Business MD DBA

Angie Shafei is a business health management consultant, an interdisciplinary clinical pathologist 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 on digital health, new technologies and patient-centred healthcare.

See full profile

Dr Ashleigh Powell

Lecturer in Marketing

Ashleigh Powell combines her expertise in psychology and marketing to explore consumer behaviour. A lecturer at Flinders University and member of the Centre for Social Impact, she focuses on health and wellbeing, having worked with the Foundation for Alcohol Education and Research, and VicHealth.

See full profile

Three qualifications in one

Flinders University offers staggered qualifications as you complete certain MBA milestones. Finish four topics and you’ll receive a Graduate Certificate. Finish another four topics, and you’ll receive a Graduate Diploma. Complete a further four topics in addition to those, and you will be awarded an MBA.

Three qualifications in one

Flinders University offers staggered qualifications as you complete certain MBA milestones. Finish four topics and you’ll receive a Graduate Certificate. Finish another four topics, and you’ll receive a Graduate Diploma. Complete a further four topics in addition to those, and you will be awarded an MBA.

Master of Business Administration

12 topics
12-month duration

Graduate Diploma Business Administration

8 topics
6-month duration

Graduate Certificate Business Administration

4 topics
3-month duration

Master of Business Administration

12 topics
12-month duration

Graduate Diploma Business Administration

8 topics
6-month duration

Graduate Certificate Business Administration

4 topics
3-month duration

Entry requirements

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

have a minimum of one year's full-time equivalent professional work experience in areas such as marketing, accounting, economics, finance, human resource management or management; or
have minimum of two years' full-time equivalent professional experience in any area; or
hold a bachelor's degree or equivalent qualification.

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.

Why study the Graduate Certificate in Business Administration?

It’s a course designed for professionals wanting to upskill fast in business and leadership to achieve their career goals quicker in 3 months. Graduates can go on to pursue an MBA. Our optional 12-week industry placement makes this MBA perfect to gain exposure to new industries or to gain skills to re-enter the workforce.

Am I eligible to study a Flinders University Graduate Certificate in Business Administration?

To view the admission requirements for the Graduate Certificate in Business Administration, refer to the Handbook. You’ll either need to have a minimum of one year's equivalent full-time relevant professional experience or a minimum of two year’s equivalent full-time professional experience in a non-related field.

Do you need a degree to study a Graduate Certificate in Business Administration?

Not necessarily. See the answer above for more information on eligibility. To view the admission requirements, refer to the Handbook.

Is a Graduate Certificate in Business Administration worth it?

Yes, in many ways. Not only will it help you to upskill fast, in as little time as 3 months, you’ll also build your networks, improve your confidence and knowledge, and gain sought-after industry experience. It’s also a great way to get entry into an MBA, with only 1-year relevant work experience required.

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