Diploma of Human Resource Management
BSB - Business Services
HR diploma covering recruitment, performance management, industrial relations and workforce planning.
Entry requirements
- Cert IV in Business or HR (recommended)
What you will learn
The BSB50320 covers core HR operations and management. Core units include managing recruitment selection and induction, managing employee performance, managing employee remuneration, managing employee relations, developing workforce plans, supporting employee diversity, and managing workforce information systems. You study the Fair Work Act 2009 and the National Employment Standards (NES), modern awards interpretation, workplace grievance and dispute resolution, work health and safety obligations, and HR analytics fundamentals. Many providers align units with the Australian HR Institute (AHRI) Capability Framework.
Skills you build
- Recruitment, selection and onboarding
- Performance management and feedback delivery
- Award and enterprise agreement interpretation
- Workplace grievance and dispute resolution
- WHS compliance and incident management
- Workforce planning and HR analytics
- HRIS administration (Employment Hero, Rippling, Workday Lite)
How the course runs
Most students study online over 12 months on a self-paced model, or full-time on campus over 6 to 12 months. Around 500 to 700 hours of formal training, with theory and case study work split roughly 60/40. No mandatory work placement. Many students complete the Diploma while working in HR coordinator, recruitment consultant or administration roles. AHRI Professional Membership pathways often credit the Diploma toward certification.
How you will be assessed
- Recruitment campaign design assignments
- Performance management roleplay assessments
- Written knowledge tests per unit of competency
- Award interpretation and pay calculation exercises
- Workplace policy development projects
Workplace and placement
No mandatory work placement. Most students work concurrently in HR coordinator, recruitment consultant or junior business partner roles. Wages follow the Clerks - Private Sector Award for junior roles and the relevant industry instrument for HR-specific roles. Larger organisations often have an internal HR career path that the Diploma supports.
Typical employers
- Internal HR teams in SMEs and corporates
- Recruitment and labour hire agencies
- Government HR and people services
- Industry associations and unions
- Outsourced HR consulting firms
- Not-for-profit and community organisation HR
Pay after this qualification
$62,000 - $85,000 per year
Source: https://www.jobsandskills.gov.au/explore-careers/occupation/human-resource-clerks. Last reviewed 2026-05-21.
Is this the right course for you?
You probably thrive here if
- You can keep employee information confidential
- You can manage difficult conversations calmly
- You can read industrial instruments carefully
- You can balance competing employee and business needs
- You can build trust across a workplace
It is probably not for you if
- You take workplace conflict personally
- You struggle with detailed legislative reading
- You cannot keep confidentiality
- You cannot deal with hierarchy and senior leader feedback
After you finish
After the Diploma you can pursue the Advanced Diploma of Human Resource Management (BSB60520) or the Diploma of Leadership and Management (BSB50420). Bachelor of Business (HR), Bachelor of Commerce (HR) and Bachelor of Human Resource Management programs at RMIT, Edith Cowan, Charles Sturt, La Trobe and Macquarie offer credit. AHRI Certified Practitioner (CPHR) requires Bachelor degree plus relevant experience. Many HR professionals progress to specialist roles in talent acquisition, organisational development or industrial relations.