Graduate Diploma of Strategic Leadership
COURSE CODE
BSB80320
Be equipped to elevate your management career. Build your skills in managing a range of complex business operations and driving strategic transformations. And open the door to career opportunities such being a General Manager, Chief Operating Officer or Strategic Analyse.
If you’re a graduate of the Advanced Diploma of Leadership and Management, or looking for an MBA alternative, this could be a good course for you.
Key learning outcomes
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Key benefits of studying this course
- Open the door to new leadership opportunities – Gain the skills you need to be able to lead complex business operations and drive strategic transformations. Be equipped to work as a General Manager, COO, Director of Operations, Strategic Analyst and more.
- Be in-demand – Strategic leaders are in-demand. Strategic Partnerships Manager is the 15th fastest growing job in Australia (LinkedIn 2026) and demand for Chief Operating Officers in Australia is predicted to grow by 7.9% over the next 5 years (Seek 2026).
- Gain a nationally recognised qualification – Gain a qualification that’s recognised by employers across Australia
- Learn from experienced leaders – When you study with ACBI, you’ll learn from dedicated trainers who hold a wealth of academic and industry experience
- Be supported to succeed – Enjoy access to high-quality student and academic support. From guiding you through assessment questions to helping you understand key sustainability concepts, ACBI is here to support your learning journey
Domestic students
- 6 April 2026
- 4 May 2026
- 6 July 2026
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Course content
Hear from our students
Potential Salaries
Strategic Analyst
$130K
Strategic Analysts research external market trends, evaluate internal operations, make forecasts, assess risks and analyse competitors. This research and analysis then informs the creation of actionable plans that seek to improve decision-making and business performance.
General Manager
$160K
General Managers are responsible for overseeing an entire organisation or a business unit. They manage financial performance, staff and strategic goals to ensure business success.
Chief Operating Officer
$200K
Chief Operating Officers are responsible for managing an organisation’s daily operations. They improve processes, manage budgets, implement strategies and empower internal teams to achiever their performance targets.
Source: Seek 2026
Entry requirements
FAQs
Who is this course for?
This course can be a great choice for:
- People seeking to gain leadership roles that require an understanding of digital and AI transformation
- Mid- to senior- level managers seeking to upskill in strategic leadership
- People seeking a more affordable and practically-focused alternative to completing an MBA
- Graduates of the Advanced Diploma of Leadership and Management who wish to build more advanced leadership skills and increase their career options
Are there exams?
Good news - there’s no exams. Rather, you’ll complete assessments where you can demonstrate your practical understanding of strategic leadership. This includes assessments where you’ll have the option of using a provided simulated business or applying the assessment to your current workplace. These assessments will develop your ability to apply leadership techniques in real-world situations.
I haven’t done any academic study in a while. Will this course be OK for me?
Many of our students find that they can adjust to studying after taking an extended break. When you study with ACBI, you’ll have a range of support on hand to help you succeed, such as study plans, academic guides and helpful trainers.
If you’d like a more gradual way to ease back into study, there’s also the option of first studying a Diploma or Advanced Diploma of Leadership and Management. Then continuing on to study a Graduate Diploma of Strategic Leadership.
Why should I study this course at ACBI?
When you choose to study a Graduate Diploma of Strategic Leadership at ACBI you’ll enjoy:
- Excellent student support – Be supported throughout your student journey. From study plans to interactive online sessions, you’ll be supported to succeed at your studies.
- Being taught by seasoned business professionals – Our trainers have a wealth of teaching, academic and leadership experience.
- Convenient learning options – Whether you’re a working professional seeking to study flexibly online or an international student planning to move Sydney, you can enjoy convenient study options. ACBI’s Sydney CBD campus is a short walk from Central Station and is close to a range of public transport options.
Should I study this course, or the Advanced Diploma of Leadership and Management?
Good question. A number of our students choose to study the Advanced Diploma of Leadership and Management followed by the Graduate Diploma of Strategic Leadership.
The Advanced Diploma of Leadership and Management will empower you to refine your management skills. For example, it builds skills in managing organisational change, implementing business plans and leading corporate social responsibility. This course takes 1 year to complete. Studying an Advanced Diploma of Leadership and Management can be a good choice if you’re looking to advance your management career or further your studies.
On the other hand, the Graduate Diploma of Strategic Leadership can be a good choice if you’re looking to advance your leadership knowledge and career. It’s designed for people who have at least 2 years’ experience in jobs that require a significant level of management responsibility and/or complexity. This course takes 2 years to complete and opens the door to job opportunities such as being a Managing Director, Chief Operating Officer, Strategic Analyst or Director of Operations.
For advice on which course(s) might best suit your individual needs, connect with a Course Advisor.
Should I study the Graduate Diploma of Strategic Management or an MBA?
Good question. Both a Graduate Diploma of Strategic Management and an MBA can help you develop valuable leadership skills. However, there are some differences between them.
The Graduate Diploma of Strategic Leadership can be a good choice if you’re looking to kickstart or advance your leadership career, and you’re looking for a more affordable alternative to an MBA. This Graduate Diploma is designed for people who have at least 2 years’ experience in jobs that require a significant level of management responsibility and/or complexity. This course takes 2 years to complete and opens the door to job opportunities such as being a Managing Director, Chief Operating Officer, Strategic Analyst or Director of Operations.
On the other hand, completing a Master of Business Administration may be a good fit if you’re looking to pursue jobs that require an MBA qualification. If you’re interested in pursuing an MBA that will equip you for navigating AI transformation, considering studying an MBA specialised in Digital Transformation from our sister college, AIBI Higher Education. This MBA can be studied on-campus in Sydney, Perth, Brisbane or Melbourne, or 100% online.
For advice on which course(s) might best suit your individual needs, connect with a Course Advisor.
Do you have flexible payment plans?
We do. When you study at ACBI, you can choose to pay upfront or with a flexible payment plan. For advice on what options might best suit your individual situation, connect with a Course Advisor.
Can I enrol in a ‘double diploma’ or ‘packaged courses’?
Yes, combining the Graduate Diploma of Strategic Leadership with another qualification is an excellent way to boost your skills and make yourself more attractive to employers. You can apply to enrol in two or more qualifications at ACBI, studying one after the other. Simply select your desired courses when completing your online application form.
We recommend packaging the Graduate Diploma of Strategic Leadership with one or more of the following courses:
- Advanced Diploma of Leadership and Management
- Diploma of Leadership and Management
- Diploma of Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Do you provide management and leadership training for businesses?
Yes! Whether you’re looking to develop your employees’ frontline management skills or strategic leadership skills, ACBI can help. We can customised learning and assessment materials to match your workforce’s needs. We can also offer a range of partner pricing and tailored delivery options.
For advice on leadership and management training that might best suit your organisation’s needs, connect with a Course Advisor.
I want to know something about this course but can’t find an answer. Who can I ask?
Our friendly Course Advisors are here to help. Simply fill out this form and an advisor will get in touch with you.
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