Graduate Diploma of Professional Accounting

What you will study

To qualify for the award of Graduate Diploma of Professional Accounting, students must complete 100 credit points comprising of eight core units of study or 100 credit points.

Core units

• Accounting Systems and Reporting
• Economics
• Business Modelling and Analysis
• Corporations and Contract Law
• Company Auditing
• Managerial Accounting
• Financial Accounting and Theory
• Corporate Financial Management

Entry requirements

Applicants are required to have one of the following:

• A bachelor's degree (or higher award) in a related discipline from a recognised higher education institution or equivalent.
• A recognised bachelor's degree (or higher award) in any discipline, plus a minimum of two years of equivalent full time relevant professional experience.

Applicants who have completed a graduate certificate in a related discipline can enter the program with Advanced Standing and may be able complete the program in six months of full-time study or equivalent part-time study.

Relevant professional/managerial experience and evidence of academic capability will be determined by the Head of Academic Unit with reference to determined guiding principles. Applicants will be required to submit a curriculum vitae (CV) with their application.

Documents substantiating relevant experience are required, clearly detailing roles and duration, as well as evidence of formal and non-formal learning. Where relevant experience is used for the basis of admission, no further recognition for prior learning/credit can be granted on that basis.

English language requirements

All Swinburne students must be able to meet the English language requirements. You’ll be able to provide evidence of your English language skills if you have one of the following:

• Completed the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) or another type of secondary qualification taught in English.
• Completed some types of university or vocational education studies (tertiary studies).
• Completed English language tests, such as TOEFL, IELTS, Pearson or C1.
• Completed an English language (ELICOS) course.
• Lived and worked in an English-speaking country for at least four years (domestic applicants only).

These requirements vary for prospective undergraduate and postgraduate students, depending on your chosen course.

Recognition of Prior Learning

If you have gained extensive and relevant knowledge through formal training or acquired relevant skills through work or through life experience, you may be eligible for recognition of prior learning (RPL).

Contact the university or visit their website for more information.

Outcomes

Learning outcomes

At completion of the Graduate Diploma of Professional Accounting, graduates should be able to:

• Apply coherent and advanced knowledge of accounting and business concepts in diverse contexts and applications using critical thinking.
• Apply problem solving, design and decision making methodologies to identify and provide innovative solutions to complex problems with intellectual independence.
• Communicate proficiently in professional practice to a variety of audiences and function as an effective member or leader of a team.
• Demonstrate integrity, ethical conduct, accountability, respect and a broad awareness of professional practices and cultural norms in a global and sustainable context.
• Apply accounting and business fundamentals to the analysis, design and operation of a business model using appropriate accounting and business methods and tools.
• Reflect on and take responsibility for their own learning and self-management processes and develop skills to review, reflect on and plan to improve their professional performance.

Career outcomes

Students can enhance their career opportunities by gaining additional leadership and management skills – an important asset in today’s complex and changing business environment. The examples below demonstrate the types of roles graduates can attain.

• Accounting
• Auditing
• Banking
• Finance

Fees and FEE-HELP

Estimated yearly and total fee in 2025: $35,120 (domestic full-fee paying place)

The student tuition fees as published are subject to change given individual circumstances at enrolment. These fees apply for units studied in 2025 only and may change for units studied in future years. If part-time study is permitted, annual fees will be proportionally lower based on the number of units taken per semester.

A student’s fee may vary depending on:

• 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.

You may also need to pay the student services and amenities fee.

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.