CQUniversity

Graduate Diploma of Professional Accounting

  • Delivery: Face to Face
  • Study Level: Postgraduate
  • Duration: 12 months
  • Course Type: Graduate Diploma

Build foundational accounting knowledge through on-campus study, preparing for a career in accounting and financial management while creating a pathway to further postgraduate study.

Course overview

The Graduate Diploma of Professional Accounting from CQUniversity is a postgraduate qualification designed for individuals seeking to build foundational knowledge and skills for a career in accounting. Delivered on campus over one year full-time or two years part-time, the course provides the opportunity to develop expertise across core accounting and business disciplines.

You will study key areas including Australian accounting, management accounting, accounting systems, managerial finance, commercial law, economics and applied statistics. Together, these units provide a broad understanding of accounting principles, financial management and the business knowledge that supports professional accounting practice.

On successful completion, you will graduate with the Graduate Diploma of Professional Accounting. The qualification supports career development in accounting and financial management and provides a pathway to the Master of Professional Accounting.

Key facts

Delivery
Face to Face
Course Type
Graduate Diploma
Duration
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Can be studied part time
12 months (Full time)
Price Per Unit
From $4,087.5
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The estimated per-unit fee is calculated using the annual average first-year fee. It is based on a full-time study load of 24 credit points (four units) per semester or 48 credit points (eight units) per year.
Campus
Melbourne
Sydney
Intake
9th November, 2026
8th March, 2027
12th July, 2027
8th November, 2027
Units
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You may be required to complete 0 credit point units throughout your course. The university will confirm this as part of your enrolment.
8
Fees
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FEE-HELP loans are available to assist eligible full-fee paying domestic students with the cost of a university course.
FEE-HELP

What you will study

To earn the Graduate Diploma of Professional Accounting, you must successfully complete units totalling 48 credit points as detailed below. Unless otherwise noted, each course is worth 6 credit points.

Core units

  • Accounting in Australia
  • Economics for Managers
  • Australian Commercial Law
  • Applied Statistics for Artificial Intelligence
  • Foundations in Accounting
  • Accounting Systems and Information Assurance
  • Foundations of Management Accounting
  • Managerial Finance

Entry requirements

Academic requirements

To gain entry to this course, students must have one of the following criteria:

  • The CQUniversity Graduate Certificate in Professional Accounting.
  • A non-accounting undergraduate degree in any discipline from an Australian university or equivalent from an overseas institution.
  • An Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) equivalent accounting bachelor's degree from an overseas institution or organisation that does not meet accreditation with an Australian accounting registration body for associate membership purposes.

Students who have completed the CQUniversity Graduate Certificate in Professional Accounting will be eligible to apply for credit for completed units.

Recognition of Prior Learning

You may be eligible for recognition of prior learning if you have previously studied or have relevant work experience. This will help reduce the number of units you need to study to finish your course. Contact the university for more information.

Outcomes

Career outcomes

This course suits you if you want employment in accounting and financial management-oriented careers. Potential fields of employment include:

  • Financial accounting
  • Management accounting
  • Taxation auditing
  • Teaching finance
  • Banking management
  • Administration
  • Consulting
  • Business advisory services

Learning outcomes

  • Integrate theoretical and technical accounting knowledge, including finance, economics, quantitative methods, information systems and commercial law.
  • Use analytical skills to investigate, analyse and synthesise routine accounting problems.
  • Communicate effectively in a range of contexts with professionals and non-professionals.
  • Exercise a professional level of judgement to identify and respond to ethical issues in various contexts.

Fees and FEE-HELP

Estimated first-year tuition fee in 2026: $32,700 (domestic full-fee paying place)

All costs are calculated using current rates and are based on a study load of 48 credit points (normally eight units) per year.

A student’s annual fee may vary in accordance with:

  • The number of units studied per term.
  • The choice of major or specialisation.
  • Choice of units.
  • Credit from previous study or work experience.
  • Eligibility for government-funded loans.

Student fees shown are subject to change. Contact the university directly to confirm.

FEE-HELP loans are available to assist eligible full-fee paying domestic students with the cost of a university course.