What is a diploma?
By Ralph BrownPublished on
A diploma is a qualification at Level 5 of the Australian Qualifications Framework, which typically involves one to two years of study. Learn more about what a diploma covers and where one can take you.
What is a diploma?
A diploma is a nationally recognised tertiary qualification, set at Level 5 of the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF), the national system that ranks qualifications by how complex they are and how much study they involve. It gives you focused, practical grounding in a single field, which is what separates it from the broad foundation of a bachelor degree.
To see where Level 5 sits alongside the other qualifications, browse our guide to Australian university qualifications.
You can study a diploma in two parts of the education system:
- Vocational education and training (VET) diplomas are delivered by registered training organisations, including TAFEs (technical and further education institutes), and regulated by the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA).
- Higher education diplomas are delivered by universities and other institutions registered with the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA).
Both sit at AQF Level 5, so neither is a lesser version of the other.
VET diploma or university diploma: what's the difference?
The main difference is who teaches you and how you are assessed, not the level of the qualification.
VET diplomas are competency-based, so you are judged on whether you can perform specific workplace tasks to an industry standard, and training providers often build them around hands-on skills.
Higher education diplomas are taught the way university study is taught, with a mix of theory and applied learning, and they are assessed through the usual academic methods.
Both routes lead to a recognised AQF Level 5 qualification, and both can open doors to work or further study. What changes is the flavour of the learning and the kind of institution standing behind it.
Through us, you can compare online higher education diplomas delivered and awarded by Australian universities.
For a fuller look at how the two sectors line up, see our guide to the difference between TAFE and uni.
Diploma at a glance
Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
What it is | A nationally recognised tertiary qualification |
AQF level | Level 5, defined by the AQF |
Where you can study it | TAFEs and training providers (VET) or universities (higher education), both at Level 5 |
Typical duration | 1 to 2 years full time; many university diplomas run for about a year |
Entry | Often completion of Year 12 with no ATAR required; varies by course and university |
Study mode | Available online through Australian universities |
Where it can lead | Paraprofessional and skilled roles in your field, or credit towards a related bachelor degree (assessed by the university) |
Is a diploma a degree?
No, a diploma is not a degree, and for a lot of people that’s exactly the point. It’s a standalone tertiary qualification that tends to be shorter and more directly tied to a job than a three or four year degree, which suits you if you want to get qualified and into work sooner.
That said, the two are related. Higher education diplomas are undergraduate-level study, so a diploma can be a first step towards a bachelor degree rather than a detour away from one.
How long does a diploma take?
Most diplomas take one to two years of full-time study, which matches the volume of learning the AQF sets for Level 5.
Many of the university diplomas you can compare through us are built around eight subjects, which works out to roughly a year of full-time study.
Part-time study stretches that timeline out, and studying online often means you can adjust your subject load from one study term to the next. That flexibility is one reason a diploma works well for people fitting study around work or family.
What can you study, and what are the other types of diplomas?
Diplomas cover a wide spread of fields, from business and health to community and creative areas. Through us, you can compare online diplomas from Australian universities across these fields; you can browse the full list on our diploma course search.
A few nearby qualifications share the diploma name but sit elsewhere on the AQF:
- An advanced diploma is one step higher, at AQF Level 6, and usually involves more specialised or supervisory content.
- A graduate diploma is different again. It’s a postgraduate qualification at AQF Level 8, designed for people who already hold a degree, so it’s not an entry-level option. If that’s what brought you here, read about what a graduate diploma is instead.
Can you study a diploma online?
Higher education diplomas from Australian universities can be studied online through us.
The university delivers and awards the qualification, and we help you compare your options, understand pathways and enrol.
Studying through us means studying with your chosen Australian university while we handle the comparing and the paperwork.
Online diplomas also tend to offer several start dates across the year rather than a single intake, so you can begin when it suits you.
Our key dates page lists the application and enrolment deadlines for each study term.
What are the entry requirements for a diploma?
Entry requirements vary by course and university, and many diplomas are built to be reachable for people without a recent academic record. Plenty of them ask for no ATAR at all, which makes a diploma a realistic option if you left school a while ago or never received an ATAR in the first place.
If a low or missing ATAR is your main worry, see our guide on how to get into uni without an ATAR.
If you are not sure you meet the requirements for a course you like, single subjects can be another way in: you can start studying and build up a record before you commit to the full qualification.
An undergraduate certificate can play a similar stepping-stone role if you would rather start with a short qualification of its own.
Can a diploma lead to a bachelor degree?
Yes, and this is one of the main reasons people choose one. Completing a related diploma can give you an entry pathway into a bachelor degree, and the subjects you have already passed may count as credit towards that degree, which can shorten how long it takes to finish.
Credit is never automatic. Each university assesses it case by case against its own rules, so the amount you receive depends on how closely your diploma matches the degree. Treat credit as a strong possibility to check on, not a guarantee.
If a pathway is your goal, a student advisor can help you map a diploma to the degree you are aiming for, and you can start by browsing our diploma course search.
How much does a diploma cost?
How much you pay depends on the course and the university, and on whether you study in the VET or higher education sector.
Fees are usually charged per subject rather than as a single upfront sum.
As a not-for-profit, we do not charge you for using our service; you pay the fees set by your university.
You do not have to pay your fees upfront. For approved higher education diplomas, eligible students can defer their fees through a HELP loan and repay through the tax system once their income passes the repayment threshold.
Approved VET diplomas sit under a separate scheme, VET Student Loans, with its own eligibility rules, and the two should not be confused.
For what applies to a specific course, start with our financial options page, then confirm current details on Study Assist.
What I tell students:
A lot of the people I speak with are worried they will not get into a bachelor degree, and a diploma is often the option I point to first. Entry is more flexible, the study is practical, and if you do well it can carry you into the degree with credit behind you. You are not settling for less. You are starting somewhere achievable.
Compare diplomas through us
Universities deliver and award these qualifications. Our part is helping you compare online diplomas offered by Australian universities and understand where each one can lead, and when you are ready, you can enrol.
You can speak with a student advisor for free, personalised guidance.
If you’d rather explore first, use Help Me Choose to narrow the field or browse our diploma course search to see what's on offer.
About the author
Ralph Brown
Student advisor specialising in qualification advice
Ralph Brown is an experienced student advisor at Open Universities Australia. Over nine years, he has helped thousands of students compare courses, understand their options and take their next step with confidence. Ralph believes there is often more than one path forward. He gives clear, practical advice without pressure, helping students make decisions that suit their goals, circumstances and readiness to study.
Frequently asked questions
Is a diploma a tertiary qualification?
Yes. Tertiary study covers both vocational education and training and higher education, and a diploma sits within it at AQF Level 5. That places it above senior secondary schooling, and it holds the same AQF level whether you study it at a university or a training provider.
Is a diploma an undergraduate degree?
No. A diploma is not a degree of any kind, although higher education diplomas are undergraduate-level study. Finishing one can give you a foundation to move into a bachelor degree later, sometimes with credit for the subjects you have already passed.
Is a diploma higher than a certificate IV?
Yes. A certificate IV sits at AQF Level 4 and a diploma at Level 5, so a diploma is the higher qualification. It generally involves greater depth and a longer volume of learning than a certificate IV, which is why it can lead into further study more readily.
Is a diploma equivalent to Year 12?
No. Year 12 is senior secondary schooling, while a diploma is a tertiary qualification you study after school at AQF Level 5. Many diplomas can be started without having finished Year 12, depending on the course and the university.
Is a diploma the same as a high school diploma?
No. In Australia, a diploma is not the certificate you receive for finishing school. That meaning comes from the United States, where a high school diploma marks school completion. Here, a diploma is a tertiary qualification you study after school, at AQF Level 5, in its own right.
