The Diploma of Business at Leaders Institute provides a thorough grounding in the functional issues of business and to equip students for work in a range of business positions. It is a comprehensive business program with emphasis on agribusiness. It seeks to provide graduates with a broad understanding ofthe key theories and principles of business operations and management as well exposure to, and experience in, practical business tasks and functions necessary to not just work in, but also to thrive and prosper in, today’s competitive business and industry environments.

The curriculum is designed to provide a comprehensive, interdisciplinary education in business with special reference to agribusiness by combining important business-related subjects – management, accounting, marketing, agricultural economics, introduction to agribusiness production and management. Throughout the course, a continuous focus is placed on sustainability – a central concern in business and agribusiness particularly as changing dietary habits and demand for quality products and sustainable production processes increasingly clash with resource scarcity caused, in part, by a rising global demand for food and fiber. As a result, this course not only prepares graduates for current market issues, but for future ones as well. Graduates will have developed an understanding of ethical business practice and the elements of good governance, how to communicate effectively, and how to manage people and promote organisational change and innovation.

In keeping with the leadership ethos of the Institute, the Diploma of Business also includes units that seek to promote and develop the so called ‘soft skills’ and Leadership skills which are increasingly required and expected within a business environment.

The program, seeks to produce graduates who are market-and-business ready and who will be able to work in small and large businesses in the areas of management, administration, agribusiness, finance and accounts, marketing, or business development. Graduates will also be equipped to run their own business.

The program encourages lifelong learning, ethical practice and development of critical thinking skills. Students will discover their own strengths and will be equipped to become effective and ‘impactful’ leaders in business.

Upon completion of this course, students will be eligible to articulate into the second year of the Bachelor of Agribusiness.

Career Outcome

Graduating students will possess professional expertise that allows them to enter and contribute to a range of fields including – Accounting, Commerce, and Agribusiness, Administration Business, Management, Retail Manager, Sales Representative, Business Ownership

Core

• AC101 Accounting I
• BC100 Professional Business Communication
• BM101 Introduction to Agribusiness Production and Management
• EC102 Agricultural Economics
• MG101 Management
• MK101 Marketing
• OB101 Organisational and Human Management
• ST101 Applied Quantitative Data Analysis

Domestic students

Completion of one of the following:

• Queensland Higher School Certificate or an interstate equivalent Higher School Certificate. OP 17 / ATAR 60;
• International Baccalaureate Diploma;
• AQF Level 5 or above qualification (or overseas equivalent).
• qualifications deemed equivalent to any of the above qualifications.

International students

Completion of one of the following:

• Queensland Higher School Certificate or an interstate equivalent Higher School Certificate. OP 17 / ATAR 60;
• International Baccalaureate Diploma;
• AQF Level 5 or above qualification (or overseas equivalent).
• qualifications deemed equivalent to any of the above qualifications.

International students whose entry qualifications were obtained in an institution where English is not the language of instruction normally require one of the following:

• International English Language Testing Services (IELTS) of 6.0, with a score of not less than 5.5 in any of the four skill areas;
• TOEFL (paper based) 550 with a score of 5 or better in the Test of Written English;
• or equivalent.

It is expected that students can demonstrate that the English language test was successfully completed within two years of the date of application for admission.

Note: International students must hold a valid student visa. There are numerous conditions that apply to a student visa. A holder of a student visa may not work, paid or unpaid, for more than 40 hours in any fortnight during semester. Current information on student visa conditions may be found here.

Credit and Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Credit for previous learning may be obtained through the process of articulation, credit transfer, and RPL or a combination of these processes. Students who wish to apply for RPL must provide evidence in terms of completed qualifications along with other relevant documentation.

Alternative Admission Arrangements

Alternative admission pathways are also open for educationally disadvantaged applicants and for First Nations Peoples applicants. These applicants will be assessed on a case-by-case basis with RPL, professional accreditations, and the provision of a portfolio of work for entry to micro-credential and single units. Consideration will be given to other factors such as practical experience, community service, maturity, motivation, and the likelihood of satisfactory completion of the academic requirements of the course.

Applicants seeking alternative entry must also fulfil the English language entry requirements.

Alternative pathways are evaluated on a case-by-case basis by the Program Director (or delegated representative).

Graduates of the Diploma of Business will be able to:

• demonstrate technical and theoretical knowledge in business-related fields and disciplines including agribusiness, accounting, management, economics, statistics, and marketing;
• demonstrate awareness of business practice, business ethics, industry standards and expectations;
• apply cognitive skills to identify, analyse and evaluate new information, concepts and evidence from a range of business, industry, and academic sources;
• utilise cognitive and technical skills to create innovative solutions for complex management issues within a business environment;
• demonstrate oral and written communication skills to express ideas, information recognised andanalysis in business, professional and academic formats;
• develop an understanding of current and emerging practices in a business life cycle;
• identify and implement innovative, professional business practice;
• demonstrate social, professional and ethical competence while working independently or in team.

Learning Time Period and Fee

International Student Fees:

Tuition per unit: AUD $ 2,500.00

Total Course Fees: AUD $ 20,000

One-time Application Fee (non-refundable): AUD $500

Deposit component of tuition fees (non-refundable): AUD $ 2,000*

Total amount paid up front and prior to issue of Confirmation of Enrolment: AUD $ 10,000

*If an international student cancels their course enrolment less than 28 days before the commencement of the course, a non-refundable, $2,000 deposit component of tuition fees is due before commencement to recover administrative expenditure incurred.

Domestic Student Fees: Total Course Fees:

Tuition per unit: AUD $ 1,875

Total Course Fees: AUD $ 15,000

One-time Application Fee (non-refundable): AUD $ 500

Total amount paid up front: AUD $ 7,500

Scholarships

To promote excellence in scholarship and learning, Leaders Institute will offer scholarships to outstanding students for both courses starting Year 2.

A combination of merit and needs based scholarships by way of fee discount of 25% is available for both domestic and international students. To apply for this scholarship, please meet your Program Director.