Graduate Certificate in Business Administration

CRICOS Course Code – GCBA
Duration – 6 months full-time (1 study period)
AQF level – 8
Mode of Study – On-campus, Online, or Blended
Outcome – Graduate Certificate in Business Administration

The Graduate Certificate in Business Administration (GCBA) is a dynamic, industry-aligned program designed for aspiring leaders and working professionals who want to fast-track their career development or pursue further study in leadership and innovation. Whether you are looking to refine your leadership skills, develop data-informed decision-making capabilities, or prepare for an MBA, the GCBA provides the foundation you need.

Delivered by experienced academics and industry experts, this flexible six-month program blends practical learning with academic rigor and offers a pathway to AIAT’s flagship MBA (Leadership and Innovation).

What You Will Study

The Graduate Certificate in Business Administration is designed to position graduates with formal learning and qualification to underpin and augment their professional practice. They will be able to integrate technological, strategic and professional skills to their professional practice or work more effectively in their entrepreneurial venture. Organisations in every industry require leaders with skills to lead teams, optimise operations, use data to inform decisions and maximise a company’s potential for profit and contributions to their profession/society.

The applied and diverse nature of the Graduate Certificate lends itself to recognising and enhancing management/leadership experience. It therefore provides a qualification suited to current managers/leaders. Through entry to a Graduate Certificate with appropriate work experience, AIAT can confirm students are capable of completing a master level degree. Students without a bachelor qualification, providing they meet work experience and language entry requirements, would be enrolled in the Graduate Certificate. Students who attain a passing grade on all four subjects in the Graduate Certificate would be granted entry to the MBA (Leadership and Innovation). Students may also elect to graduate with the Graduate Certificate.

Students have flexibility in one elective choice to broaden studies. It is recognised that there is a set of common skills and knowledge for leaders but those working in established roles in organisations may be more focused on identifying areas for improvement. The course currently has five level 5 subjects students can choose from to allow a focus on the area of interest, but it is anticipated that others will be added over the next two years. Students can also choose to take COM501 from the MIT program.

Teaching of the Graduate Certificate in Business Administration integrates the practical experience of industry specialists with a strong academic approach and lays the foundation of a coherent and cohesive body of knowledge for current and future leaders.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

identify and explain business knowledge, data analytics and diagnostic problem-solving skills that support leadership decision-making. (SOLO 3)
identify and describe inclusive team cultures required to coordinate and implement sustainable organisational strategies and manage change in professional and community contexts. (SOLO 3)
inform leadership decisions and strategies by drawing on cultural, interpersonal and intrapersonal theories. (SOLO 5)
apply a range of critical thinking skills to explore complex and unfamiliar problems. (SOLO 4)
draw on ethical and leadership theories, practices and principles to identify strategies to address ethical dilemmas in organisational contexts. (SOLO 5)
critically reflect upon the professional practice of leaders in various contexts. (SOLO 5)
implement strategies for self-awareness leading to professional and personal development for the longer term. (SOLO 5)

Course Duration

The course is available on a full-time basis. It is also available part-time for domestic students in line with the requirements of the Academic Progression Policy and Procedure. Also included in this policy are the responsibilities of the various parties in supporting domestic and international students to successfully complete all specified requirements for the course they are enrolled in within the time specified in the Rules for the course.  

The course is taught over one study period of 12 weeks. Full time students normally study 4 subjects a study period. A study period is 15 weeks in total with 12 weeks of teaching time, 2 weeks of final assessment/exam time and a 1 week break after teaching week 6 in the study period. 

All subjects have been developed with a requirement of approximately ten (10) hours study workload per week.

Total Course Hours
Contact Hours	144
Self-Study Hours	336
Total Course Hours	480

Course Structure

The Graduate Certificate in Business Administration is a postgraduate qualification comprising 4 subjects (40 credit points), designed to be completed in 12 weeks of full-time study or part-time equivalent. The program is delivered in English, and students can choose from face-to-face, online, or blended modes. To successfully complete the course, students must complete:

3 core subjects
1 elective subject

Each subject is valued at 10 credit points, ensuring a focused and intensive learning experience that builds essential leadership, analytical, and management skills. This course also provides a direct entry pathway into the AIAT MBA (Leadership and Innovation), where students can continue their postgraduate journey by completing additional subjects across advanced levels, including capstone projects and specialised electives.

For more information, contact us on: helpdesk@aiat.edu.au

Core Subjects

Year 1

Study period	Subject code	Subject name	Subject type / major	Pre/Co-requisites	Credit points
1	MLI500	Leadership and innovation	Core	NA	10
1	MLI501	Leading contemporary organisations	Core	NA	10
1	MLI503	Data analytics, artificial intelligence and decision making	Core	NA	10
1		Level 500 subject	Elective	NA	10

Career Outcomes

Graduates will be well-prepared for roles such as:

Business Analyst – Assess business processes, identify areas for improvement, and support decision-making.
Operations Coordinator/Manager – Oversee daily business operations, improving efficiency and productivity.
Project Manager – Lead projects, manage resources, and ensure timely completion.
Team Leader/Supervisor – Manage teams and support business functions in corporate settings.
Administrative Manager – Oversee administrative functions and ensure smooth office operations.
HR Coordinator/Manager – Assist in talent acquisition, employee relations, and HR policies.
Sales Manager/Account Manager – Manage client relationships, sales targets, and business growth strategies.
Entrepreneur/Small Business Owner – Use business knowledge to start or manage a business.
Consultant (Entry-Level) – Provide advisory services in business processes, management, or strategy.

Course Entry Requirements

Graduate Certificate in Business Administration Course Entry Requirements
Course:	Graduate Certificate in Business Administration
Minimum age criteria: all applicants	To be eligible for admission, the applicant must be at least 18 years of age on the course commencement date.
Applicants with higher education study: (bridging or enabling course)	Applicants must have: an Australian Bachelor’s degree (AQF level 7); or equivalent overseas qualification in any discipline
Applicants with Vocational Education and Training (VET) study:	Not Applicable
Applicants with work and life experience:	at least three years of relevant documented professional experience. CDC have identified the type, level and evidence required of work experience and it will be included in the admission procedure.
Additional admission criteria for international students:	Refer Admissions Policy and Admissions Procedure. Applicants must meet the English Language requirements set out in AIAT’s Admission Procedure. Applicants meet the minimum requirement if they have: completed two years or longer of study in Australia; or  successful completion of an Australian Year 12 program; or  successful completion of an English language course approved by AIAT from a registered English Language Intensive Course for Overseas Students (ELICOS) provider. Such courses give students the minimum English Language Proficiency (ELP) standard as specified in the Admissions Procedure; or  achievement of the minimum requirements in an approved English language test no less than 24 months prior to commencement of studies at AIAT. The following approved English language tests and minimum standards are documented in Table B of the Admissions Procedure: IELTS (Academic) Overall 6.5 (min. sub-score of 6.0 each) TOEFL paper based test score of 550 (min. 4.5 TWE – Test of Written English) TOEFL – (iBT) 79 (min. 18 in writing) PTE 60 (no skill score < 45) CAE Level B2 176 Kaplan English Test Prospective students are required to submit acceptable evidence of their English language proficiency at the time of application to study with AIAT, such as an IELTS document showing their overall scores. In addition to meeting the requirements, in some cases applicants may be required to successfully complete an AIAT approved English language test.  Students may be required to attend an interview conducted by the Director, Learning and Teaching (or delegated officer), designed to ascertain levels of ability to study at the appropriate level and to successfully complete the course.
Special entry pathway: (exceptional circumstances)	Applicants may be eligible for special entry in exceptional circumstances in line with AIAT’s Admissions Policy.  Special Entry  Applicants whose study has been impacted by circumstances such as disability, illness or family disruption will be given special consideration for admission. Each application will be considered on its merit, based on the evidence supplied by the applicant attesting to the circumstances of the applicant. Applicants applying for special entry are required to meet the criteria of demonstrating their ability to study at the level required for the degree by satisfactory completion of one or more of the following:  written or numerical tasks to assist with assessing eligibility for admission  interview with the applicant  written assignment which demonstrates their knowledge and abilities in the discipline area  statement from previous education institution   other evidence as requested.
Applicants with Indigenous Australian background:	Refer Admissions Policy and Admissions Procedure. Applicants are required to confirm their Aboriginality or Torres Strait Islander heritage at the time of application to be eligible for priority admission and access to Indigenous specific scholarships. Applicants who require support during the application process are encouraged to contact the Director, Learning and Teaching.
Additional Note: Admission requirements are assessed per AIAT’s Admissions Policy and Procedures. Meeting criteria does not guarantee admission.