Diploma of Agribusiness
UndergraduateTAS-AGB-DIP2025
Course information for 2025 intake View information for 2024 course intake
Boost your career options in contemporary agriculture
Developed with experts, this gateway into the industry covers agribusiness essentials. You’ll get to know current commercial aspects of agriculture. Broaden your options beyond farm management. Explore the value chain, financial concepts, and more.
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Applications close
- 16 Feb 2025,
- 13 July 2025
- Credit available
- Yes
- Duration
- 1 year full time or part time equivalent
- Total subjects
- 8
- Available loans
- Australian Higher Education Loan Program (HELP)
- CSP available
- Yes
Diploma of Agribusiness
About this degree
On successful completion of this program, the student will be able to:
- Analyse knowledge, skills, behaviours and attributes required to develop and enhance career opportunities in agribusiness
- Describe the application of business concepts for contemporary agriculture
- Reflect and communicate practical management approaches for changing agribusiness environments
- Use cognitive, creative and technical skills to enable agribusiness to be agile and adaptable in digital and innovative landscapes
The Diploma of Agribusiness is an industry-focused program designed for people wanting to develop their agricultural knowledge and business acumen that meets the demand for professionals in this industry. It is ideal for those currently working in agriculture and looking to move into leadership and management roles and equally can provide a foundation for those looking to enter the industry.
The Diploma in Agribusiness aims to prepare you to become dynamic, creative and adaptable practitioners with the skills and knowledge of high-level planning, resource allocation, distribution strategies and technological innovation within the industry. Sustainability is a key thread throughout the program, where you will consider challenges through a sustainable solutions lens.
Our program combines business studies in management, finance, marketing and planning with technical studies in agriculture.
The content has been developed in consultation with industry experts and they are actively involved in its delivery. Conducted online, study can fit around work and family commitments, while you become part of a community who bring your life and work experience together to build networks for the future.
Recommended study pattern
For students studying full-time, the following study pattern is recommended.
8 subjects including:
4 Core Subjects
- TAS-ZAA132 Managing People
- TAS-ZAB111 Agribusiness Fundamentals
- TAS-ZAB116 Value Chain Management in Agribusiness
- TAS-ZAB119 Principles of Weed, Pest and Disease Management
4 UTAS Electives
Award requirements
Satisfactory completion of 8 subjects, as required in the schedule, within 1-3 years from commencement.
Degrees are usually made up of core subjects and electives. Some degrees include a choice of majors, so you can focus your studies on a specialisation.
This list is a general overview. Download the full Degree Guide for more information.
Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation. You will not pay any fees for using our services.
Indicative total fee $11,600
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.
Wherever you are, the University of Tasmania brings its island campus to you through a growing range of online programs across art and design, business, education, health, science, sustainability, technology, and more. It’s never too late to switch things up. Kickstart that career you’ve been dreaming about, or upskill for the one you’re in. You’ll also become a part of the world's leading university on climate action.
Learn more about UTAS.
Explore UTAS courses.
- QS Ranking 2024:
- 20
- Times Higher Education Ranking 2024:
- 19
Entry requirements
- Partially completed an undergraduate course at Diploma level or higher (or equivalent). You must have completed at least one subject of study (equivalent to 12.5 UTAS credit points), at 100 level or higher and which may include 100 level subjects completed in the UTAS Diploma of University Studies. If you have failed any subjects, your application may be subject to further review before an offer is made; OR
- Completed the UTAS University Preparation Program (or an equivalent qualification offered by an Australian University).
Successful completion of one OUA open access subject of study (equivalent to 12.5 UTAS credit points) at the equivalent AQF level, unless otherwise specified.
Completed the Tasmanian Certificate of Education (TCE) or an equivalent qualification.
Completion of a Certificate III or higher (or equivalent) in any discipline
Applicants without senior secondary, tertiary or VET / TAFE study can complete a personal competency statement.
Applicants may be eligible for an offer if they have relevant work and / or life experiences which demonstrate a capacity to succeed in this program.
You may be eligible for advanced standing (ie. credit) of up to 50 credit points if you have completed a cognate Undergraduate Certificate or similar program at this university or other approved tertiary institution. Cognate Undergraduate Certificate programs for Z1A Diploma of Agribusiness are:
- Z0D Undergraduate Certificate in Agriculture
- Z0L Undergraduate Certificate in Agribusiness
- Z0M Undergraduate Certificate in Small Business, and
- Z0P Undergraduate Certificate in Fermentation.
The following non-cognate Undergraduate Certificate may also be considered for articulation into the Diploma of Agribusiness with up to 50 credit points of advanced standing:
- 30C Undergraduate Certificate in Climate Accounting.
Students who complete Z1A Diploma of Agribusiness may articulate into one of the Bachelor of Business or other Bachelor degrees with up to 100 credit points of advanced standing.
Career opportunities
The Food and Agribusiness sequence will provide you versatile skills and knowledge, hence employment opportunities beyond the farm management in roles such as agribusiness accountant, agribusiness banking officer, agricultural policy officer, agribusiness consultant, livestock officer, agribusiness analyst, international development officer, agripreneur and many more.
As the agricultural industry undergoes rapid transformation, agribusiness companies, including the major banks, are seeking employees skilled in business, management and finance, and who have technical agricultural training. There is also increasing demand for better-trained managers of large agricultural enterprises.
The structure of the Agribusiness course was designed in response to formal consultation with an array of industry stakeholders, including employers and prospective students. In parallel, the course was designed in consideration of societal conditions in Tasmania that necessitate the provision of alternative educational pathways for non-traditional post-secondary students.
New to agribusiness and never worked in the industry before?
For those graduates new to agribusiness, roles including trainee positions, team leaders, field officers and researchers are likely.
Already working and want to fast track or leverage off past experience?
For those graduates already working in agriculture, the Diploma of Agribusiness should enable graduates to progress from assistant positions to managerial roles, lead a small team, become a field officer, research team member or salesperson and liaise better with suppliers and/ or customers.
Potential types of employers:
- Upstream of the farm: suppliers of seed, fertiliser, chemicals, machinery, stockfeed, labour, finance, business advisory, transport, consultancy, and specialist services such as harvesting contractors.
- Primary production: cropping, horticulture, animal based enterprises, aquaculture, pharmaceuticals, wineries, farm-based tourism.
- Downstream of the farm: processors and value-adders, distributors, wholesalers, retailers, transport and storage operations, logistics, consultants.
Australian job snapshots
Data sourced from Australian Jobs 2023.
Role | Earnings | Employment change |
|---|---|---|
Agricultural Consultants | N/A^ | N/A^ |
Crop Farmers | N/A^ | Down 15.5% |
Livestock Farmers | N/A^ | Up 3.1% |
Mixed Crop and Livestock Farmers | N/A^ | Down 5.2% |
Supply, Distribution and Procurement Managers | Over $120K | Up 12.6% |
^ There is no data available
Degree FAQs
How long does it take to finish an online degree?
That's up to you! Because we let you choose when to study online, you can actually pick up and pause study when it suits you. Many universities have a set time you need to complete your degree within. For some this is up to 10 years, and for others there is no limit.
There are some degrees that are stricter about when you can take breaks, and about how many years you can take to complete your degree. Please always check with your uni what the limits are.
As a general guide, Commonwealth supported place students have 10 years to finish their undergraduate degree through OUA, However, if you're studying with Griffith University, there's a limit of 8 years to complete your studies. If you want to take a break that lasts more than two study terms, you'll need to apply for a leave of absence. You can apply for a leave of absence for up to 12 months, as long as you complete your studies within the maximum time allowed for your degree.
If you're studying with Macquarie University, with the exception of certain degrees, there's no limit to how long you can take. But, please check with Macquarie Student Administration to be sure.
If you're studying with the University of Adelaide, you have up to 9 years to complete your undergraduate degree and graduate.
If you're studying with La Trobe University and want to take a break of minimum 1 study term, you must apply for leave of absence to avoid being inadvertently withdrawn from your degree.
Through OUA, you can study all year round, so it's possible to fast-track and finish up sooner than studying at a traditional uni would allow. That said, you need to spend around 12 hours a week on each undergraduate subject you do, so taking on extra work to finish ahead of time can be challenging.
How can I pay for my studies?
You may be eligible for a HELP loan from the Australian government, depending on your citizenship status and where you'll be living during your studies. You can also pay upfront with your credit card.
Payment options are explained in Fees, and you can contact a student advisor for more information.
How does studying through Open Universities Australia work?
You might find learning through OUA a little different to how you've studied in the past. It can take time to develop the skills you need for independent online study.
We connect you with subjects and degrees that are taught by leading Australian universities. You can complete single subjects, or follow a degree structure to work towards a specific qualification. Subjects are offered in several study terms throughout the year, so you can choose to study part-time or full-time, continuously or with breaks.
We help you find the subjects or degree that's right for you, and we handle your enrolment in uni and some administration. Your uni sends you your study materials and deals with all academic matters. They're also in charge of your assessment and graduation. If you go on to complete a degree, you'll graduate from the uni offering your degree, for example, RMIT University or Griffith University.
How do I know if I‘m eligible to apply for a course?
Before starting an enrolment, it's important to read the entry requirements for your chosen course to ensure that you're eligible to apply. If you don't quite meet the requirements, we can help you find a pathway into your course through open-entry subjects, which anyone can study. Contact us to find out more.
When is my cut-off date for enrolment?
Our close of enrolment times vary. You can check the cut-off dates for upcoming study terms by visiting Key dates.
Why should I study online through Open Universities Australia?
There are a lot of reasons to study your course online through us.
You can enrol without entry requirements
We have a unique open-door policy that makes it possible for everyone to enrol in university study, no matter their academic history. If you don't meet the entry requirements for a degree, we'll help you get in through single undergraduate subjects and transition into a qualification from there.
You have total control over how you study
Upskill without committing to a whole degree upfront. Or enrol in a full degree, but take it a subject at a time. We'll introduce you to flexible study options you didn't even know about, so you can fit uni around what matters to you.You'll graduate with the same qualification as an on-campus student
Once you enrol through us, you'll study online with the university that provides your degree. This means that when you complete your qualification, you'll graduate with the same degree as on-campus students.We'll help you navigate the university world
Our friendly student advisors will be your guide every step of the enrolment journey. They'll help you compare universities, choose a course, provide documentation and understand your finance options.
How do I enrol?
Here at Open Universities Australia, we make enrolling online as straightforward as possible. To get started, find the course for you by browsing the options on this page. You can also compare different qualifications using our handy comparison tool, or request help from one of our student advisors.
When you've made your choice, click 'Apply now' on the relevant course page and follow the prompts to begin your enrolment. We'll ask you to supply some supporting documentation, including proof of your identity, your tax file number, and a unique student identifier (USI) during this process.
Your university will get in touch with you via email to confirm whether or not your application has been successful.
If you get stuck at any time, reach out to a student advisor and we'll talk you through it.
You can also take a look at our online self-service enrolling instructions.