Postgraduate business study is always popular. Explore the best short courses online.
A Graduate Certificate in Business is a go-to program for business studies. The course is open to almost anyone and offers specialised training and a master's pathway. Explore fields such as analytics, management and marketing.
Best Online Courses in Australia
Looking to advance your career, but don't have the time for full-time study? Look no further than these graduate business certificates, all of which are available online for working professionals.
Comparison table
| University | Specialisation | Cost | Subjects |
|---|---|---|---|
| UNSW Online | Business | $19,000 | Business Economics, Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Financial Management, Foundations of Marketing, Law, Regulations and Ethics, Managing with Digital Technology, Managing Yourself and Others, Strategies for Disruption |
| UTS Online | Business Administration | $17,532 | Accounting for Decision Makers, Leading People and Change, Managerial Economics, and Marketing in the Age of Technology |
| SCU Online | Business | $12,320 | Accounting for Managers, Business Analytics, Management Communication, and Organisational Behaviour |
| RMIT Online | Business Administration | $18,720 | Design Thinking for Business, Leadership and Management, Marketing for Managers, and Financial Analytics for Managerial Decisions |
| JCU | Business Administration Global | $14,800 | Data Analysis and Decision Modelling, Information Management and Analytics Technology, Marketing Strategy, Analytics and Development, and Management and Leadership Skills |
| UTS Online | Business Consulting and Technology Implementation | $16,464 | Microsoft Dynamics 365, Business Processes, Stakeholder Engagement and Storytelling, and electives of Accounting Practices & Tools, Delivering Customer Value, Foundations of Business Analytics, and Supply Chain Essentials |
Source: University websites. FEE-HELP loans are available for eligible domestic students. Updated: 11 May 2024.
These programs offer an opportunity to gain advanced skills and knowledge, either broadly or in a specific area of business. They are shorter and often more focused than master's degrees. The courses are ranked based on factors such as course flexibility, affordability, and further study pathways.
UNSW Online - Graduate Certificate in Business
The Graduate Certificate in Business is delivered by the Australian Graduate School of Management (AGSM) at UNSW’s Business School. You can choose any four (4) subjects from a selection of eight (8): Business Economics, Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Financial Management, Foundations of Marketing, Law, Regulations and Ethics, Managing with Digital Technology, Managing Yourself and Others, Strategies for Disruption. The online course articulates into a Master of Management. Each subject runs over 7 weeks. Open to degree holders and professionals with 3+ years' experience. Tuition fee: $19,000.
UTS Online - Graduate Certificate in Business Administration
Graduate Certificate in Business Administration from UTS Online is an 8-month, part-time foundation course for a flexible MBA. Students complete four subjects: Accounting for Decision Makers, Leading People and Change, Managerial Economics, and Marketing in the Age of Technology. The program adopts a manager's perspective throughout. With 100% online delivery, students can work full-time while learning to better solve real-world business problems. It's part of the UTS Online MBA, which offers specialisations in analytics, digital marketing, health, organisational learning, and technology management. The cost is $17,532, with FEE-HELP loans available.
SCU Online - Graduate Certificate in Business
Graduate Certificate in Business online from Southern Cross University offers business success training. Students develop skills in practical areas that impact job and company performance. The highly affordable course can be completed over 8 months of part-time study. After graduating, you're halfway towards a Graduate Diploma in Business and a third of the way towards earning an MBA. Entry requirements: A bachelor degree (any discipline) OR equivalent experience. Tuition fees are $12,320 in total in 2024. You'll study Accounting for Managers, Business Analytics, Management Communication, and Organisational Behaviour.
RMIT Online - Graduate Certificate in Business Administration
The RMIT Online Graduate Certificate in Business Administration is an 8-month part-time program. It consists of four subjects: Design Thinking for Business, Leadership and Management, Marketing for Managers, and Financial Analytics for Managerial Decisions. The program develops leadership skills for Industry 4.0 and provides access to current, industry-informed content. The online learning platform connects students with academics and classmates. Enrolment is available every two months, and the program provides a pathway to further MBA studies. Cost: $18,720 in 2024.
JCU - Graduate Certificate of Business Administration Global
Graduate Certificate of Business Administration Global from James Cook University is a part-time, 8-month online program that costs $14,800. The course develops skills and knowledge to become an effective leader with a global perspective. Students study one subject at a time, with a program of four units: 'Data Analysis and Decision Modelling', 'Information Management and Analytics Technology', 'Marketing Strategy, Analytics and Development', and 'Management and Leadership Skills'. Upon completion, you can choose to leave with your qualification or continue studying towards a Graduate Diploma of Business Administration Global or MBA Global.
UTS - Graduate Certificate in Business Consulting and Tech Implementation
Drive digital transformation using business, human-centric, and technical skills. To address the global talent shortage of skilled consultants, UTS Online presents the Graduate Certificate in Business Consulting and Technology Implementation. You'll learn 'Microsoft Dynamics 365' and 'Business Processes'. Students also study 'Stakeholder Engagement and Storytelling', and can choose from electives of 'Accounting Practices & Tools', 'Delivering Customer Value', 'Foundations of Business Analytics', and 'Supply Chain Essentials'. In the 'Technology Consultation Studio', you'll assess a client's needs using Dynamics and present recommendations. Cost: $16,464 for the whole course.
Related: Is a Graduate Certificate in Business Worth It?
Popular Specialisations in Australia
If you want to do a specialised grad cert that focuses on a particular discipline, you can usually find what you're looking for. Here ares several of the most popular majors, with links to more info on individual courses.
Specialisations
A Graduate Certificate in Business Administration is a general program of study for managers and professionals seeking management roles. The postgraduate course usually forms part of a Master of Business Administration (MBA).
The MBA pathway course is open to graduates of any discipline, including non-business majors. Experienced professionals without a degree may also be accepted.
With vast amounts of data available at our fingertips, analytics is a valuable skill. Develop your analytics capabilities with a Graduate Certificate in Business Analytics.
You can do an introductory course for managers, with the aim to improve your digital literacy and ability to work with analysts. Other courses are more technical, potentially providing the platform for an analytics career.
Consultancy skills are valuable to develop whether you work as a consultant, have ambitions to do so, or would just like to round out your skill set.
A business consulting course covers topics such as business planning, presentations, stakeholder engagement, analytics, and management consulting.
The Graduate Certificate in Finance is a flexible course with different sets of subjects depending on the learning goal.
For finance professionals, you can do a specialised course or customise your program through your choice of electives. Foundation courses are also available for those with a limited previous background in the field.
Health professionals wanting to move into management and leadership roles may benefit from a Graduate Certificate in Health Management.
The course presents business and management subjects in a health industry context. Topics may include Australia's healthcare system; health analytics; organisational management; and achieving safety, quality and budget goals.
A Graduate Certificate in Human Resource Management qualifies you for advanced HR jobs and is a pathway to a masters. To gain entry, you should have a bachelor degree OR at least five years of professional experience.
HR is a specialist field and covers topics such as performance management, people and organisational management, and employment law.
A Graduate Certificate in Management may be a course that forms part of a Master of Management degree. You choose subjects from the MM program.
As a management student, you build managerial, financial and technology skills that enable you to thrive as a leader in modern Australian workplaces.
Avance your marketing career with a Graduate Certificate in Marketing. Courses are available to professionals experienced in marketing as well as those looking to break into the field.
You can generally find a suitable course of study to match your education, background and learning goals. It's a type of business course but you don't need to have studied business before.
For a university qualification as a project manager, consider the Graduate Certificate in Project Management. It is the shortest program of study at university.
Courses are typically open to people with a degree (any discipline) or 5+ years of industry experience. Subjects may include project management principles, contract management, team management, and applied techniques.