Graduate Diploma in Australia for International Students

A graduate diploma (also called a postgraduate diploma) in Australia is a Level 8 qualification under the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF). 

It’s a short postgraduate course that takes one year to finish full-time. The program might be right for you if you want to specialise, change careers, or gain professional expertise without committing to a master’s.

You can use a graduate diploma as a pathway to a master’s degree. You can often get credit for the subjects you’ve completed, which helps reduce study time and cost for a master’s. 

A graduate diploma is a postgraduate course that you can take if:

• You want a pathway to a master’s degree. If you have a graduate diploma, you can complete your master’s within 1 year instead of 2. 

• You want to work in a career that’s not related to your bachelor’s. For example, you have an undergraduate degree in Accounting, but you wanted to teach children instead. You can then study a Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood Teaching.

• You want to gain advanced skills in a specific area without committing to a Master’s program. For example, you have a Bachelor of Nursing, and you want to specialise in Mental Health. A Graduate Diploma in Mental Health Nursing will give you the specialist skills you need.

Below, we have listed some of the graduate diploma courses in Australia that you can choose from.

The Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood Teaching trains you to become an early childhood teacher. You’ll learn about child development, play-based learning, and curriculum design for children from birth to five years old.

Average cost for international students

Between AUD 25,000 and AUD 36,500 per year, depending on the university.

Outcome

After completing a Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood Teaching, you’ll be qualified to apply for teacher registration in early childhood settings across Australia. You can work in kindergartens, preschools, and long-day care centres. Graduates also find roles in policy, education consultancy, early years management, and research.

Requirements

To apply, you’ll need:

• A recognised bachelor’s degree (in any discipline), or a Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care, plus five years of relevant work experience

• Additional checks and clearances may be required before professional placements

IELTS score

•  IELTS (Academic) score of 6.5 to 7.0 overall, with no band lower than 6.0 or 7.0 (depending on the university)

The Graduate Diploma in Teaching (sometimes called the Graduate Diploma in Education) prepares you to become a qualified teacher in Australia. Depending on your chosen specialisation, this course can lead to either primary or secondary teaching.

You’ll study teaching methods, curriculum design, and how to create positive and engaging learning environments. Most programs include around 50 to 60 days of supervised teaching placement.

Average cost for international students
Between AUD 37,000 and AUD 38,000 per year, depending on the university.

Outcome
After completing a Graduate Diploma in Teaching, you’ll be eligible to apply for teacher registration in Australia. You can work in primary or secondary schools, depending on your specialisation. Some graduates also move into education leadership, training, policy, or community education roles.

Requirements
To apply, you’ll need:

• A recognised bachelor’s degree in any discipline (some universities require it to be relevant to a teaching area).

• Evidence of prior study in specific subjects, if you want to teach secondary education.

• In some universities, you’ll need to complete a Non-Academic Requirements for Teacher Entry (NARTE) questionnaire.

• A Working with Children Check or similar clearance before placement.

• Some programs may also ask for a resume or evidence of relevant work experience.

IELTS score

• An IELTS (Academic) overall score of 7.5, with no band less than 7.0 in reading and writing, and at least 8.0 in speaking and listening (depending on the university).

The Graduate Diploma in Nursing helps registered nurses build advanced clinical knowledge and leadership skills. You’ll learn how to apply evidence-based practice, make informed clinical decisions, and lead teams in complex healthcare settings. 

Many universities also let you choose a specialisation, such as:

• Aged care

• Clinical education

• Mental health

• Leadership and management

• Rural and remote health

Average cost for international students

Between AUD 24,000 and AUD 30,000 per year, depending on the university and specialisation.

Outcome
After completing a Graduate Diploma in Nursing, you’ll be qualified for advanced or specialised roles in healthcare. These can include positions in hospitals, aged care facilities, community health centres, universities, and government or non-government health services. 

Graduates often move into leadership, clinical education, or research roles, or use this qualification as a pathway to a Master of Nursing.

Requirements
To apply, you’ll need:

• A three-year Bachelor of Nursing (or equivalent) from a recognised institution

• Current registration as a nurse with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA), or the equivalent registration body in your home country

• Some universities may require specific professional experience in your chosen specialisation

IELTS score
An IELTS (Academic) overall score of 7.0, with no band lower than 7.0 in listening, reading, writing, or speaking.

If you’ve ever asked yourself: “Is this the right course for me?”

Many international students always doublethink factors like their eligibility, budget, visa, career goals, and even the PR chances tied to a specific study pathway. That’s a smart thing to do. The more sure you are, the better. 

The good news?  

Now you can choose the right course that takes you closer to your career and migration dreams. 

We’ll walk you through every detail, answer your questions, and help you apply with confidence.

The Graduate Diploma in Psychology is for people who have a degree in another field and want to start learning psychology. It’s a great first step if you’re thinking about becoming a registered psychologist.

You’ll explore how people think, feel, and act through topics like biological, social, developmental, and clinical psychology. You’ll also learn how to design research, analyse data, and apply psychological principles in everyday settings.

Average cost for international students

Between AUD 33,000 and AUD 62,000

Outcome

This qualification can open doors to roles in:

• Counselling and community work

• Human resources and education

• Marketing, research, or policy

• Business and government organisations

It also prepares you for further study in psychology, such as the Graduate Diploma in Psychology (Advanced) or a Master of Psychology.

Requirements

•  A bachelor’s degree in any field (not psychology)

• Some universities may require introductory psychology subjects

IELTS score

• IELTS score of 6.5 overall, with no band lower than 6.0

The Graduate Diploma in Management is ideal if you want to sharpen your leadership and business skills. You’ll learn how to make strategic decisions, lead teams, and manage challenges across different industries. The course covers key areas like marketing, finance, organisational behaviour, and strategy.

Average cost for international students

AU$45,000–50,000

Outcome

This qualification can open doors to roles such as project manager, business consultant, operations manager, or general manager. Many graduates also use it as a stepping stone to an MBA.

Requirements

 To apply, you’ll typically need:

• A recognised bachelor’s degree (or equivalent).

• In some universities, relevant work experience in a managerial or professional role.

• Some programs may also ask for a GMAT or GRE score.

IELTS score
IELTS (Academic) overall score of 6.5, with no band lower than 6.0

The Graduate Diploma of Management (Learning) (BSB80120) is for professionals who want to take charge of learning and development in the workplace. It’s ideal if you already have experience in business, leadership, or training and want to move into senior roles.

You’ll learn how to design and lead learning strategies, manage change, and build team capability

Average cost for international students

AUD 16,000

Outcome
Graduates often move into senior roles such as:

• RTO Manager or Director

• Head of Organisational Development

• Learning and Development Manager

Requirements

Applicants must:

• Be at least 20 years old.

• Have completed an Advanced Diploma or higher in a related field, or have at least 2 years of full-time experience in a leadership role.

• Have an IELTS Academic score of 6.0 or equivalent (taken within the last 12 months).

IELTS score

IELTS (Academic) overall score of 6.5, with no band lower than 6.0

The Graduate Diploma of Financial Planning is a great option if you want to start a career as a financial planner or grow within the financial services industry. You’ll learn how financial markets work, how to manage risk, and how to guide clients with tax, insurance, superannuation, and investment decisions.

Average cost for international students

AUD 34,000 and AUD 41,000 per year, depending on the university.

Outcome

After completing this course, you can work in mid-level advisory or specialist roles across the financial services sector. Common roles include:

• Client services officer or administrator

• Paraplanner

• Associate financial adviser or planner

• Associate insurance adviser

• Compliance manager

• Business development manager

• Claims administrator

• Superannuation consultant

• Client relationship officer

This qualification can also count toward further study, such as a Master of Business or MBA, if you want to advance into leadership roles later on.

Requirements

To apply, you’ll typically need:

• A recognised bachelor’s degree (in any discipline)

• In some universities, at least two to five years of relevant professional work experience

• Some providers may also consider a combination of formal, informal, or non-formal learning

Relevant work experience can include roles in:

• Accounting

• Banking and personal finance

• Insurance

• Superannuation

• Investment and funds management

• Risk management

IELTS score

IELTS (Academic) overall score of 6.5, with no band lower than 6.0.

The cost of studying a postgraduate diploma in Australia ranges from AU$25,000 to AU$60,000. Course fees vary per course and institution. Science and engineering, and other courses that require specialised equipment cost more. 

Ever felt hesitant about pursuing a course due to its costs?

As official partners of leading Australian universities, IDP gets firsthand updates on new scholarships for international students. Let us match you with scholarships that fit your profile, goals, and eligibility.

Now you can feel more confident to study your dream course without worrying about costs.

Is a graduate diploma recognised in Australia?

Yes. A Graduate Diploma is fully recognised across Australia.

It’s higher than a bachelor’s degree but below a master’s degree. Australian universities, employers, and professional bodies accept this qualification.

If you’re an international student, studying a Graduate Diploma in Australia can help you build local experience, improve your career options, and even lead to further study that may qualify you for a post-study work visa later on.

Is a postgraduate diploma equivalent to a master's?

No, a postgraduate diploma is not the same as a master’s degree.

A postgraduate diploma is shorter (1 year) while a master’s degree is longer (2 years full-time). They also differ in their focus.  

A Graduate Diploma helps you build advanced skills in a short time. It’s great if you want to focus on one area or add new knowledge to your career. For example, if you’re a nurse who wants to work in mental health, or a teacher who wants to learn educational leadership, a Graduate Diploma gives you that specialised training.

A Master’s degree goes a step further. It helps you develop expert knowledge and prepares you for higher-level roles. Many Master’s programs include research, leadership, or policy subjects, which are useful if you want to become a manager, educator, or researcher in your field.

Many students start with a Graduate Diploma and then continue to a Master’s, using the diploma as a pathway.

What visa do you need to study a postgraduate diploma?

You can study a graduate diploma while on a Student visa (subclass 500).

If you have completed a 4-year Bachelor’s degree in Australia, and you want to study a graduate diploma after, you can also qualify for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) under the Post-Study Work stream.

Can you qualify for a Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485)?

If you completed a bachelor’s degree in Australia and plan to take a graduate diploma after:
Yes. You’re already eligible for the 485 visa since your bachelor’s degree meets the 2-year Australian study requirement. 

If you’re studying only a graduate diploma on a Student (subclass 500) visa:

No, you can’t apply for a 485 visa because a graduate diploma takes only 1 year to finish. It doesn’t meet the 2-year Australian study requirement.

If you studied a package of courses that don’t add up to 2 academic years:
You won’t meet the Australian study requirement. The total duration of all CRICOS-registered courses must be at least 92 weeks (2 academic years) to qualify for the 485 visa.

Do you have a complex situation? 

Maybe you have studied multiple courses, and you’re not sure whether you’re eligible for a 485 visa. 

Maybe you’ve done your research, but you’re still not sure. 

This is when it’s time to ask for advice from real experts. At IDP, our migration agents don’t just know via rules.

We have also worked with different international students with complex study and visa concerns. Based on our expertise and experience, when you tell us your situation, we know exactly what kind of guidance fits you best.

You don’t have to have everything figured out now.

You just have to take the first step: getting clarity on all your questions. 

Because once you’re confident and well-informed, that’s when all the next steps get clearer and easier. 

Talk to one of our education counsellors about graduate diploma courses in Australia.