Graduate Certificate in
Business Administration

Gain business skills in 3 months. Upskill fast in business and leadership.

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Entry requirements

Key information

VIEWING DOMESTICINTERNATIONAL

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent, 1+ year relevant professional experience, or 2+ years experience in any field

See entry requirements Download brochure

Direct Entry

Yes

Duration

0.25 years full-time

Start Dates

February

July

October

Annual Fees

2026 : $18,700 (FFP)

2026 : (FFP)

Delivery mode

Online

Practical experience

Not available

Study abroad

Not available

English language requirements

English language requirements by country

Why study the Graduate Certificate in Business Administration at Flinders?

This fast-track online program equips professionals with essential leadership and business skills in just three months, serving as a powerful stepping stone into an MBA while offering optional industry placement to enhance real-world experience.

Gain business skills in just 3 months

Quickly build practical, in-demand capabilities in leadership and strategy to accelerate your career progression.

Study at a globally recognised university

Graduate from a university ranked in the world’s top 2% for quality and impact, and number one in Australia for postgraduate employment outcomes.

Your pathway to an MBA

Seamlessly progress from the Graduate Certificate into the Graduate Diploma in Business and our accelerated 12-month MBA.

No bachelor’s degree required

Flinders welcomes students from diverse backgrounds, offering an accessible entry point for those without a traditional study pathway.

Scholarships are a great way to ease the financial challenges of university study

Flinders has scholarships for high achievers, those in need of financial aid, indigenous, rural, and STEM students.

Find out if you're eligible.

What you will study

You will complete 4 topics built in partnership with industry and learn in-demand skills in business, leadership and strategy. Complete the course in 3 months by selecting all 4 topics in one study period, or study part-time by selecting topics across multiple study periods.

Course handbook

Study Period 1

February to May

Economic Environments: Assessing Current and Future Markets
Driving Financial Performance
Marketing in a Digital Age
Building Teams and Networks

Study Period 2

July to September

Researching Markets
Ethics, Sustainability and Governance
Business Analytics
Trends in Business Finance

Study Period 3

October to December 

Artificial Intelligence in Business Practice
Creating Resilient Supply Chains and Procurement
Emerging Business Models: Disruptions, Collaboration & Competition
Leading a Future Workforce

Your career

Learn skills and build confidence to take on leadership roles in private and government sectors, including management, operations, and strategic initiatives. It’s an ideal program for those looking to strengthen their qualifications for future career growth.

Potential occupations

You could be a

Expected salary
$115,000^*

Expected salary
$100,000^*

Expected salary
$90,000^*

Expected salary
$75,000^*

Expected salary
$65,000^*

Potential occupations

You could be a

Expected salary
$115,000^*

Expected salary
$100,000^*

Expected salary
$90,000^*

Expected salary
$75,000^*

Expected salary
$65,000^*

Potential employers

Financial Institutions
Small and Medium Enterprises
Corporations and Consulting Firms
Government Agencies
Non-profit Organisations

Industry-relevant experience

Practical experience
Industry placements

You'll gain practical experience sought by employers through a curriculum that emphasises:

Real-world business concepts

Industry insights and case studies

Hands-on assessments and problem-solving

Swap any topic for an optional 12-week industry placement to gain exposure to new industries or re-enter the workforce.

Connect with industry

In this course, you’ll gain insights grounded in real-world practice through Flinders’ strong partnerships with law firms, government agencies, and not-for-profit organisations. Your studies will emphasise the practical application of legal principles, giving you the skills and confidence to apply legal knowledge directly in your workplace or future career.

Flinders University is a future you can count on

Flinders University is ranked top 2% globally*.

No. 1 in Australia for postgraduate employment**.

Flexible online study - study anywhere, anytime and start, stop and restart your studies when life allows.

Gain business skills and a valuable qualification in 3 months.

Career growth - Build confidence with practical, in-demand skills.

No bachelor's degree required - we know not everyone takes the traditional path to university.

*THE World University Rankings 2023

**QILT 2021 Graduate Outcomes Survey-longitudinal

Meet your academics

Our incredible teaching and professional staff are experts in their fields and well-connected to industry.

Dr Afshin Tanouri

MBA Director

See full profile

Afshin Tanouri specialises in using digital technologies and gamification and his work spans mental health, wellbeing and alcohol reduction, and is published in top journals. Passionate about industry engagement and research-driven teaching, he integrates real-world experiences into his courses, covering digital marketing, sustainability, and business ethics.

Associate Professor Angie Shafei

Dean of Business MD DBA

See full profile

Angie Shafei is a business health management consultant, an interdisciplinary clinical pathologist and researcher. With 20+ years of experience, she focuses on innovation, health transformation, and digital health. Co-founder of Innovate Inn, she excels in research commercialisation and has published extensively on digital health, new technologies and patient-centred healthcare.

Dr Ashleigh Powell

Lecturer in Marketing

See full profile

Ashleigh Powell combines her expertise in psychology and marketing to explore consumer behaviour. A lecturer at Flinders University and member of the Centre for Social Impact, she focuses on health and wellbeing, having worked with the Foundation for Alcohol Education and Research, and VicHealth.

Entry requirements

To be accepted into this course, applicants must meet at least one of the following entry requirements:

have a minimum of one year's full-time equivalent professional work experience in areas such as marketing, accounting, economics, finance, human resource management or management; or
have minimum of two years' full-time equivalent professional experience in any area; or
hold a bachelor's degree or equivalent qualification.

Three qualifications in one

Flinders University offers staggered qualifications as you complete certain MBA milestones. Finish four topics and you’ll receive a Graduate Certificate. Finish another four topics, and you’ll receive a Graduate Diploma. Complete a further four topics in addition to those, and you will be awarded an MBA.

3-month

Complete 4 topics to earn
Graduate Certificate in Business Administration

6-month

Complete 8 topics to earn
Graduate Diploma Business Administration

12-month

Complete 12 topics to earn
Master of Business Administration

Have a question?

Find the answers to some of our most frequently asked questions.

Why study the Graduate Certificate in Business Administration?

It’s a course designed for professionals wanting to upskill fast in business and leadership to achieve their career goals quicker in 3 months. Graduates can go on to pursue an MBA. Our optional 12-week industry placement makes this MBA perfect to gain exposure to new industries or to gain skills to re-enter the workforce.

Am I eligible to study a Flinders University Graduate Certificate in Business Administration?

To view the admission requirements for the Graduate Certificate in Business Administration, refer to the Handbook. You’ll either need to have a minimum of one year's equivalent full-time relevant professional experience or a minimum of two year’s equivalent full-time professional experience in a non-related field.

Do you need a degree to study a Graduate Certificate in Business Administration?

Not necessarily. See the answer above for more information on eligibility. To view the admission requirements, refer to the Handbook.

Is a Graduate Certificate in Business Administration worth it?

Yes, in many ways. Not only will it help you to upskill fast, in as little time as 3 months, you’ll also build your networks, improve your confidence and knowledge, and gain sought-after industry experience. It’s also a great way to get entry into an MBA, with only 1-year relevant work experience required.

How to apply in 4 easy steps

Step 1

Choose your course

Select your preferred course.

Step 2

Requirements

Check the entry requirements and your eligibility.

Step 3

Key dates

Confirm the key application and enrolment dates.

Step 4

Submit application

Apply and submit your application via Direct Entry.

Apply now via Direct Entry

Who is eligible to apply?

Flinders Online courses are available for Australian or New Zealand citizens, Australian permanent residents, holders of Australian permanent humanitarian visas and Pacific Engagement visa holders.

International students in Australia who hold a student visa are not eligible to apply.

For further information regarding course eligibility, refer to the individual entry requirements for each course.

When do I apply?

You are encouraged to apply as soon as possible and by no later than teaching commencement dates. If places fill, applications for your preferred start date may close without notice and you will be considered for the next available intake.

Semester 1: teaching commences 3 March 2025 – Applications close 28 February 2025
Semester 2: teaching commences 28 July 2025 – Applications close 25 July 2025

Some courses have non-standard semester commencement dates as follows:

February Study Period: teaching commences 24 February 2025 – Applications close 21 February 2025
June Study Period: teaching commences 30 June 2025 – Applications close 27 June 2025
September Study Period: teaching commences 29 September 2025 – Applications close 26 September 2025

Please refer to the individual Flinders Online course for more information.

Other critical and key dates

How do I apply?

Applications are submitted directly with Flinders.

You can apply for up to three courses in order of preference in your application. More information is available in the Application Guide.

Flinders Online Application guide

I've applied - what happens next?

Normally, we will inform you of the outcome of your application within 3-5 working days after submission.

If further information is required, we will contact you via email with details on what is needed and how to provide it.

Are HELP Loans available?

Yes, government-supported HECS-HELP and FEE-HELP loan area available to help eligible students pay for their higher education tuition fees.

HECS-HELP is for students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) to cover their student contribution amount.
FEE-HELP is for eligible domestic fee-paying students to cover their full tuition fees.

Both loans are indexed to reflect changes in the cost of living but are otherwise interest free. HELP Loans must be repaid through the tax system once your income reaches a certain threshold, with payments increasing as your earnings rise.