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Study Business

Potential Career Outcomes

Some potential occupations include:

Course overview

The Business Service industry encompasses the operation and management of businesses and it includes a range of occupation from entry-level clerical staffs to executive managers, CEOs who are involved in the corporate governance and strategic planning of the company. Therefore, a qualification in business would open may doors.

In Australia, there are a range of courses you can undertake to begin your career in this field. Some common areas of study include:

  • Market research
  • Payroll management
  • E-business strategy
  • Workforce planning
  • Market trends and developments
  • Fundraising and sponsorship activities
Graduate Outcomes

A qualification in business opens many doors, these are some of the possible graduate outcome:

  • Weekly average salary:
    • Program or Project Administrator: $1,660
    • Management Consultant: $2,067
    • Corporate Services Managers: $2,783
    • Customer Service Manager: $1,756
Common Course Requirements
  • Completion of secondary education
  • Meet English proficiency (Usually at least IELTS 5.5 overall for Vocational Courses, and 6.5 for University Courses).
Related Courses

Some related courses include:

  • Certificate III in Business

Duration: 13-95 weeks
Intake: Monthly
Cost: $3,000- $29,001
Locations: Most cities – Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Canberra

  • Certificate IV in Business
    Duration: 16-64 weeks
    Intake: Monthly
    Cost: $3,000 – $60,000
    Locations: Most cities throughout Australia
  • Diploma of Business

Duration: 108 – 156 weeks

Intake: Monthly

Cost: $3,770 – $57,100

Locations: Most cities throughout Australia

  • Advanced Diploma of Business

Duration: 22– 104 weeks

Intake: Monthly

Cost: $4,000 – $37,075

Locations: Most cities throughout Australia

  • Bachelor of Business Administration

Duration: 156 – 208 weeks

Intake: twice a year (February and July)

Cost: $18,000 – 38,000 per year

Studying Business in Australia: What the Course Covers

Business courses give you a broad understanding of how organisations work. Common subjects include management and leadership, accounting and finance basics, marketing, human resources, business law, economics, operations, project management, entrepreneurship and digital business. Vocational courses focus on practical workplace skills such as customer service, workplace communication and running business operations, while degrees add analysis, strategy and research. Many students choose a business major such as management, marketing, finance or international business.

Qualifications and AQF Levels

Qualification AQF level What it prepares you for
Certificate III in Business AQF 3 Office and administration support roles
Certificate IV in Business AQF 4 Team leader, office supervisor and business support roles
Diploma of Business AQF 5 Supervisor and coordinator roles, and a pathway into a degree
Advanced Diploma of Business AQF 6 Senior coordinator and junior management roles
Bachelor of Business or Commerce AQF 7 Professional roles in management, marketing, finance, human resources and consulting
Master of Business Administration (MBA) or Master of Business AQF 9 Management roles, usually after some work experience

Study Pathways

Many international students study a Diploma of Business and then move into a bachelor of business with credit, or complete a degree straight away. Graduates of other fields often choose an MBA or master of business. Be careful about choosing a business course that does not follow on from your earlier studies or work, because under the Genuine Student requirement you need to explain how the course fits your career plans. Business qualifications are general, so your migration options usually depend on the specific occupation you work in after graduating.

Related Occupations and Visa Pathways (as at October 2026)

Occupation ANZSCO CSOL (482 and 186) Skilled lists (189, 190, 491, 485)
Program or Project Administrator 511112 Yes STSOL
Management Consultant 224711 Yes MLTSSL
Corporate Services Manager 132111 Yes STSOL
Customer Service Manager 149212 No STSOL

Our Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) guide explains which visas use each list and what that means for business and management occupations. In the CSOL instrument, Management Consultant appears under its updated code 224713.

Career Outlook

Business graduates are employed in every sector, in roles such as administration, operations, sales, marketing, human resources, finance and consulting. Entry level roles usually lead to coordinator, supervisor and management positions over time. Employers value practical experience, communication skills and specialist knowledge, so combining a business qualification with internships or part time work is very useful.

Applying for a Student Visa to Study Business

Because business courses are so popular, your application should explain exactly what the course adds to your background, for example moving from a technical role into management, and why studying in Australia makes sense for that plan. Check the current conditions on our Student visa (subclass 500) page.

Business Study FAQs

A business degree does not lead to permanent residence on its own. Your options depend on the occupation you work in, your skills assessment, work experience, age, English and points or employer sponsorship. Some business related occupations, such as Management Consultant, are on the MLTSSL, while others, such as Program or Project Administrator, are on the STSOL or the CSOL only.

No. Customer Service Manager (149212) was not included in the Core Skills Occupation List from 7 December 2024. It remains on the STSOL, which some states use for 190 and 491 nomination.

Yes. Many students complete a Diploma of Business and then enter a bachelor of business or commerce with credit, sometimes straight into the second year, depending on the university and the subjects studied. This can be a more affordable start, but check the credit arrangements before you enrol.

Popular majors include accounting, management, marketing, human resource management, finance and supply chain management. The major matters if you plan to work in a specific occupation later: for example, accounting skills assessments look for particular accounting subjects, while a general management major does not lead to one clear occupation.

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