Diploma of Leadership and Management
BSB - Business Services
Generic management diploma. Frequently used by frontline managers progressing to operational and middle-management roles.
Entry requirements
- Demonstrated team-leader experience preferred
What you will learn
The BSB50420 covers frontline and middle management capabilities for team leaders moving into operational management. Core units include leading and managing effective workplace relationships, developing and using emotional intelligence, communicating with influence, leading the work team, managing operational plans, managing budgets and financial plans, managing organisational change, and developing workplace policies and procedures. Most students complete electives in human resources, project management, change management or strategic thinking. The qualification is widely used as a leadership development pathway for frontline managers in retail, hospitality and trades.
Skills you build
- Leading and motivating teams through change
- Emotional intelligence and self-awareness
- Performance management and coaching
- Operational planning and execution
- Budget management and financial reporting
- Change management and stakeholder communication
- Workplace policy development and compliance
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 applied case study work split roughly 60/40. No mandatory work placement. Many employers fund the qualification as part of management development pathways. Some providers offer it as a paid traineeship.
How you will be assessed
- Written knowledge tests per unit of competency
- Workplace case studies and management project assignments
- Coaching and feedback roleplay assessments
- Budget preparation and variance analysis tasks
- Workplace portfolios of management evidence
Workplace and placement
No mandatory work placement. Most students work concurrently as a frontline manager, supervisor or assistant manager. Wages vary widely by industry under the relevant industry award. The Diploma supports internal progression to operational and middle management roles in retail chains, hospitality groups, healthcare, construction and trades.
Typical employers
- Retail and hospitality chain franchise management
- Trades and construction supervision roles
- Healthcare and aged care operations
- Logistics and warehouse supervision
- Manufacturing plant team leadership
- Government operations and team management
Pay after this qualification
$75,000 - $110,000 per year
Source: https://www.jobsandskills.gov.au/explore-careers/occupation/general-managers. Last reviewed 2026-05-21.
Is this the right course for you?
You probably thrive here if
- You can give and receive feedback without taking it personally
- You can balance team and business priorities
- You can manage your own time across multiple priorities
- You can have difficult conversations about performance
- You can read and apply financial reports
It is probably not for you if
- You avoid difficult conversations
- You struggle to delegate or trust your team
- You do not enjoy meetings and team coordination
- You expect management to be all strategy and no admin
After you finish
After the Diploma you can pursue the Advanced Diploma of Leadership and Management (BSB60420) for senior operational management roles, or a Bachelor of Business / MBA pathway with credit. Bachelor programs at RMIT, Edith Cowan, Charles Sturt, Federation University and Victoria University offer credit toward business and management degrees. Many graduates progress to executive education programs (Mt Eliza, AGSM) with employer support.