Graduate Certificate in Commerce

Graduates of the Graduate Certificate in Commerce will have:

1. Cognitive, technical, and creative skills to exercise judgement under minimal supervision to solve emerging and/or advanced accounting problems in complex contexts using social, ethical, economic, regulatory, and global perspectives.
2. Cognitive skills to integrate advanced theoretical and technical accounting knowledge which includes a selection of accounting and governance, management accounting, finance, economics, quantitative methods, and commercial law.
3. Cognitive skills to critically apply advanced theoretical and technical accounting knowledge and skills to solve emerging and/or advanced accounting problems.
4. Communication skills to justify and communicate accounting advice and ideas in complex collaborative context involving both accountants and non-accountants.

This program is designed for graduates who do not hold a Commerce undergraduate degree or those with significant market experience and who are looking to have a change in their career direction, or wanting to obtain a finance or professional accounting qualification, or wanting to explore diverse possibilities of career paths. The Graduate Certificate in Commerce provides you with a pathway to Griffith's Master of Finance or Master of Professional Accounting. You will gain technical competencies and analytical skills and learn how to apply relevant theory and quantitative techniques to various financial scenarios. The program is designed to be industry relevant in that the program includes case studies, active learning and integrates data analysis, information systems and software used in practice. You have the opportunity to meet, hear and make connections with key industry players, professional bodies and practitioners. As a student of Griffith University, you have access to industry mentors and a host of seminars, all of which are designed to develop and market your professional skills to future employers.

Recommended study pattern

As a guide, core subjects in this degree can include:

• Accounting and Governance
• Corporate Finance 
• Economics 
• Business Data Analytics.

As part of your application, you’ll be guided through how to get the right degree structure in place for you.

Award requirements

To be eligible for the award of Graduate Certificate in Commerce (GCertCom), you must successfully complete 40 credit points, made up of:

• 40 credit points for the Foundation Module.

Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation. You will not pay any fees for using our services.

Indicative total fee $17,000

The amount shown here is indicative for an Australian citizen studying full-time, which is typically 8 subjects per year.

Fees may vary depending on:

• the subjects you choose
• credit from previous work experience
• your eligibility for government funding loans or subsidies such as HECS-HELP or a Commonwealth supported place.

To learn more, go to Fees or contact a student advisor.

With a network of campuses spanning three cities in South East Queensland, Griffith University is committed to progressive multidisciplinary teaching and research and a valuable online provider with Open Universities Australia.

Already attracting students from over one hundred countries, Griffith's dedication to academic excellence is available across Australia through OUA.

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QS World University Ranking 2026, within Australia:

18

Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2026, within Australia:

20

To be eligible for this program you must meet one of the following criteria:

• a recognised Bachelor degree (or higher) 
• five years relevant work experience
• a combination of alternative admission criteria such as formal, informal and non-formal learning deemed to be equivalent to either of the above

Relevant work experience includes business, financial services or government roles incorporating substantial responsibilities relating to accounting or bookkeeping, treasury, customer service (e.g., investments, superannuation, insurance services, banking), paraplanning, financial advice, stockbroking, financial analysis, risk management.

English language requirements apply to International applicants and other applicants whose previous study was undertaken in a language other than English. The minimum English language requirements for such applicants for entry to this program are as follows:

• A minimum overall band score of 6.5 on IELTS (Academic) with no sub-score of less than 6.0
• OR a minimum score of 575 on TOEFL
• OR an internet-based (iBT) TOEFL score of 79 (no sub-score less than 19)
• OR no score less than 3+ in each skill of the ISLPR (conducted by ISLPR Language Services only)
• OR a minimum overall score of 176 (no score less than 169) on C1 Advanced (formerly Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English) or C2 Proficiency (formerly Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English)
• OR an overall score of 58 in the Pearson Test of English (Academic) with no score less than 50.

English test results must be no more than two years old.

International students who successfully complete the Direct Entry Program (DEP) will satisfy the English Language requirements for this Griffith degree.

The Direct Entry Program (DEP) is not available for Domestic students.

Applicants should refer to the English language requirements section of the following University procedure for exceptions to these overall requirements:

• Admission Procedure

If you do not meet the University's specified English language requirements, you may wish to contact the Griffith English Language Institute to increase your eligibility for entering a Griffith University program. This Institute offers a number of English language and other courses at both its Brisbane and Gold Coast branches.

Reduce the time it takes to finish your degree. You can apply to Griffith to recognise your prior learning, including:

• Formal learning through courses completed at uni and TAFE.
• Informal learning through workplace experience or volunteer training.
• Non-formal learning through social experiences and hobbies.