Graduate Certificate in Business Administration

On completion of the course you will be able to:

1. Formulate solutions to complex business problems
2. Apply technical and discipline specific knowledge and skills with creativity and initiative to new situations in professional practice.

The course is designed to provide business knowledge and skills in a selection of areas and to foster attitudes in students commensurate with successful careers as managers of organisations including private sector business organisations, not-for-profit organisations and public organisations. The course aims to provide students with a sound understanding and appreciation of the context in which organisations operate and factors that impact on the operations and viability of organisations.

Recommended study pattern

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.

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.

Award requirements

To qualify for the Graduate Certificate in Business Administration, a student must complete 18 units with a grade of Pass (P) or Non-Graded Pass (NGP) or better in each topic, following the program of study detailed in the course handbook.

Exit points

The course is also available as an exit award from the following courses, subject to meeting the requirements in the Program of Study below:

• Graduate Diploma in Business Administration
• Master of Business Administration Future Business
• Master of Business Administration Industry Focused
• Master of Business Administration (Business Analytics)
• Master of Business Administration (Finance)
• Master of Business Administration (Healthcare Management)
• Master of Business Administration (Human Resource Management)
• Master of Business Administration (International Business)
• Master of Business Administration (Marketing)
• Master of Business Administration (Social Impact).

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

Indicative total fee $17,820

The amounts shown here are 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.

Flinders University is a globally-focused, locally-engaged institution with a reputation for excellence in teaching, learning and research. They offer world‐class education that develops the critical and creative thinking skills to support a student’s success. Their courses offered through Open Universities Australia span business, education and law. They are designed with flexibility in mind, while delivering the advanced qualifications to take careers to the next step.

Learn more about Flinders University.

Explore Flinders courses.

QS World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:

21

Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:

20

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent: Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree from an Australian university or an equivalent overseas qualification.

Your experience counts. You only need one year of relevant work experience to qualify for this Graduate Certificate.

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.

Flinders University conducts an English Language proficiency check on applications submitted for consideration to its courses. 

This will be met in a number of ways, including if the applicants: 

• First language is English (i.e. citizenship is held for a country where English is the official language).
• Completed secondary schooling in Australia.
• Completed prior study in English (e.g. a Certificate IV or higher from a recognised Australian training institution).
• Completed one semester of full-time equivalent tertiary study at a higher education institution. 
• Completed a recognised Foundation Studies or bridging program. 
• Performance in the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) meets the University's admissions requirements. 
• Registered with an Australian professional registration body relevant to the applicant's proposed course (e.g. applicant holds current registration as a Registered Nurse, General Practitioner, Teacher, Physiotherapist, Occupational Therapist, Social Worker and such in Australia).
• Achieved a score within an international English language proficiency test such as IELTS, PTE, TOEFL or Cambridge CAE that meets the minimum proficiency for the university.
• Completed an approved English language course from a registered English Language Intensive Course for Overseas Students (ELICOS) Provider.

In some instances, applicants may be asked to provide evidence they meet the requirements if the information required is not available in their application. 

Credit transfer may be granted, on application, for prior study completed in a relevant honours, graduate certificate, graduate diploma or master degree; accredited professional development; or relevant work experience.

Applications for credit transfer are assessed on a case by case basis according to Flinders University policies. Students must be made an offer for entry into a degree before lodging their completed credit transfer application, along with all necessary documentation for formal assessment.