The Graduate Diploma of Business Administration at Kaplan Business School (KBS) is an AQF Level 8 postgraduate qualification designed to build advanced business and management knowledge beyond the Graduate Certificate level. The programme focuses on strategic approaches to organisational success, including disruptive innovation, emotional intelligence and cultural intelligence.

Key benefits include:

• Builds broad knowledge across contemporary business and management disciplines.
• Develops strategic thinking and an understanding of organisational success.
• Covers leadership, strategy, innovation, governance, ethics, sustainability and business analysis.
• Develops communication skills for diverse business environments.
• Provides optional opportunities for practical experience through internship subjects, subject to availability and eligibility.
• Can provide a pathway towards further postgraduate study, including KBS's Master of Business Administration, subject to applicable admission and credit requirements.
• KBS allows eligible students to seek Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) for previous academic study.

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

The programme contains 8 subjects in total:

• 4 subjects at Level 400
• 4 subjects at Level 500

The current programme page identifies 6 core subjects and 2 electives.

The four Level 400 core subjects are:

1. MBA401 – People, Culture and Contemporary Leadership
2. MBA402 – Governance, Ethics and Sustainability
3. MBA403 – Financial and Economic Interpretation and Communication
4. MBA404 – Consumer Behaviour and Marketing Psychology

The Level 500 core subjects are:

5. MBA501 – Dynamic Strategy and Disruptive Innovation
6. MBA502 – Emotional Intelligence, Cultural Intelligence and Diversity

Students then select two elective subjects from the available elective offerings. Current KBS listings include subjects such as:

• MBA507 – MBA Internship
• MBA508 – MBA Internship 2, which requires MBA507 first
• MBA612 – International Business and Finance
• MBA613 – Organisational Change and Innovation
• MBA621 – Healthcare Systems
• MBA622 – Comprehensive Healthcare Strategies
• MBA623 – Healthcare Management
• MBA631 – Digital Marketing and Communication
• MBA632 – Knowledge Management
• MBA633 – Real-world Business Analytics and Management
• MBA641 – Strategic Project Management
• MBA642 – Project Initiation, Planning and Execution
• MBA643 – Project Risk, Finance and Monitoring
• MBA651 – Managing in Service-based Industries
• MBA652 – Strategy and Leadership in Tourism and Hospitality
• MBA653 – Destination and Visitor Management
• MBA661 – Gendered Workplace Environments
• MBA662 – Personal Growth and Empowerment
• MBA663 – Communication, Persuasion and Influence
• MBA671 – Strategic Value of Analytics
• MBA672 – Data-driven Design Thinking
• MBA673 – Business Analytics Life Cycle.

Disciplines / Specialisations

The Graduate Diploma itself is a general Business Administration qualification rather than a programme with fixed named specialisations.

However, the elective structure allows students to develop an area of interest through subjects in areas such as:

• International business and finance
• Organisational change and innovation
• Healthcare management
• Digital marketing
• Business analytics
• Project management
• Tourism and hospitality
• Service management
• Leadership and communication
• Diversity and workplace environments.

Programme Highlights

• AQF Level 8 postgraduate qualification
• CRICOS code 078566F
• 48 credit points
• 8 subjects
• 6 core subjects and 2 electives
• Standard duration of 1 year and 4 months
• 4 trimesters
• March, July and November standard start months
• Six listed Australian campus locations
• Strategic business and management focus
• Optional elective areas covering analytics, project management, healthcare, tourism, marketing and other disciplines
• Internship subjects are available as electives where applicable
• Potential progression to further postgraduate study
• RPL may be available for eligible prior study. 

Career Outcomes

KBS identifies the following career outcomes for graduates:

• Operations manager
• Corporate strategist
• Administration manager
• Corporate leader.

Depending on elective choices and previous professional experience, graduates may also develop knowledge relevant to areas such as:

• Business operations
• Strategic management
• Project management
• Business analytics
• Marketing
• Healthcare management
• Tourism and hospitality management
• Organisational change.

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

The latest KBS subject-offering document was updated in June 2026 and confirms that subject availability can change and that students should check KBS for updates.

Current important points include:

• The programme is AQF Level 8 and carries CRICOS code 078566F.
• The standard programme is 8 subjects over 4 trimesters.
• Students complete 6 core subjects and 2 electives.
• Some electives have prerequisites; for example, MBA508 requires MBA507.
• Not every subject is offered at every campus or in every trimester.
• Internship subjects are subject to availability and applicable requirements.
• RPL may be available for eligible previous academic study.

International Student Visa Requirements

International students studying this CRICOS-registered course in Australia generally apply for an Australian Student visa (subclass 500).

KBS's application process requires applicants to submit the required documents, receive an Offer of Admission, satisfy any conditions, accept the offer and make the required payment. KBS then issues an electronic Confirmation of Enrolment (eCoE), after which the student can proceed with the Australian Student visa application.

For the Student visa, Australian Department of Home Affairs requirements generally include:

• Enrolment in an eligible Australian course.
• A valid Confirmation of Enrolment when the visa is decided.
• Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), unless an exemption applies.
• Meeting the Genuine Student requirement.
• Meeting health requirements.
• Meeting character requirements.
• Signing the Australian Values Statement where required.
• Meeting applicable English-language requirements or an exemption.
• Demonstrating sufficient financial capacity when evidence is required.