The Graduate Certificate in Professional Studies (Business) is an 18-unit program offered by the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, and is normally completed in two semesters part-time.

Admission requirements

Applicants must normally hold a bachelors degree from an approved tertiary institution.  Students entering under the Skilled Migration Internship Program Accounting (SMIPA) are required to have successfully completed a recognised Australian degree in accounting.

Students whose first degree was not taught in English are required to demonstrate proficiency in English either by completing a degree in English within the previous two years, IELTS of 6.0 with a minimum of 60 in each section or TOEFL of 580 with a minimum of 50 in each section.

The Faculty Board may, under certain circumstances and subject to specific conditions, admit others who can show fitness for candidature.

Credit may be granted, on application, for comparable prior studies.  Please note that due to the specific status of SMIPA applicants, credit transfer is not normally available to these applicants.

Course aims

The Graduate Certificate in Professional Studies (Business) is designed to provide a broad introduction to the theory and practice of the Australian workplace. It provides a legal and practical framework for individuals seeking to develop their knowledge and skills for the Australian workplace.

Learning outcomes

Graduates will be able to:

  • demonstrate a broad understanding of the theory and practice governing the Australian workplace
  • be familiar with the ideal and practical implication of the law, diversity and workplace safety in the Australian workplace
  • demonstrate the ability to apply relevant skills and techniques applicable to internal and external organisational needs
  • understand the job environment, identify opportunities and manage their career.

Program of study

To qualify for the Graduate Certificate in Professional Studies (Business), a student must complete 18 units with a grade of P or NGP or better in each topic, according to the program of study below.  Not all topics are necessarily available in a given year.

Core - Year 1 topics


 BUSN9400  Workplace and Business Communication  (4.5 units)
 BUSN9401  Australian Workplace and Business Environment  (4.5 units)

Option - Year 1 topics


 BUSN9403  Industry Project GE (4.5 units) #
 BUSN9404  Industry Project GE (9 units)^
 BUSN9405  Industry Placement GE (4.5 units) #
 BUSN9406  Industry Placement GE (9 units)^

# Students who choose one of 4.5 unit offerings may select another topic subject to the approval of the Dean or representative.

^ Special course structure for SMIPA students: these students must undertake the 9-unit BUSN9404 Industry Project or BUSN9406 Industry Placement to qualify for the award.

Except with the permission of the Faculty Board:

  • no topic may be attempted more than twice
  • the course must be completed within two consecutive semesters part-time or, where credit has been granted for previous work, a period determined by the Board.

The award of a grade of Fail (F) in the same topic on more than one occasion may constitute prima facie evidence of unsatisfactory progress for the purposes of the University's Policy on Student Progress.