Diploma of Business (Public Relations)

Diploma of Business (Public Relations) - 22524VIC

VOCATIONAL

As a public relations specialist you will learn how to build brand reputation and maintain positive relationships.

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Learning mode:
On campus
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Duration:
Full-time 1 year
Part-time 2 years
Fees:

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Location:
Melbourne City
Learning mode:
On campus
Entry score:

Not applicable

Duration:
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Fees:

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Next intake:
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Overview

The RMIT Diploma of Business (Public Relations), based in Melbourne, is ideal for confident people with strong problem-solving skills, leadership potential, analytical instincts and a keen curiosity about the world.

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What you will learn

In addition to building knowledge of industry strategies and the importance of interface design and digital media, you will learn to interpret market trends, apply project management skills, develop persuasive copy and presentation techniques, and analyse consumer behaviour.

Why study public relations at RMIT?

Industry input

Members of the Public Relations Institute of Australia actively review this course's design, assessment and content.

Hands-on opportunities

On completion, undertake a two-week work placement within the Advanced Diploma of Business (Public Relations).

Work relevant

Hear from guest speakers, and work on real projects and campaigns within simulated industry-style workshops.

Public Relations student Luke sitting in front of microphone

What's next for Luke Mitchell

Gaining real-world experience gave me a really good understanding of what I could expect. It’s been great to see the stuff I learned at RMIT translate into the real world. - Luke Mitchell, Diploma of Business (Public Relations) and Advanced Diploma of Business (Public Relations)

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Guaranteed Pathway options available

Know where you're headed? Guaranteed Pathways lets you preference pathway packages so you can secure your place in your goal degree and graduate with two internationally-recognised RMIT qualifications.

This training is delivered with Victorian and Commonwealth Government funding.

Please note: this diploma is not available for international students intending to study on a student visa. If you are holding a temporary visa (other than a student visa) and your visa has a full study entitlement, you may be eligible to apply. For more information, see the international students with other temporary (non-student) visas.

Details

Public relations (PR) specialists are trained to build an organisation's reputation and maintain positive relationships with their external clients, customers and stakeholders.

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Learning and teaching

In this diploma you’ll learn how to:

  • create communication strategies
  • be part of a campaign team
  • build relationships with colleagues and clients
  • develop specialised public relations skills.

We have a reputation for PR education that enhances career opportunities because of our:

  • strong relationship with the Public Relations Institute of Australia
  • prominent industry connections
  • unique work-based learning approach.

Pick up valuable skills and connections through work-integrated learning projects placements in the private, public and not-for-profit sectors, and get a chance to work on global client projects with global business partners and agencies. 

RMIT offers a variety of learning and teaching approaches including lectures, seminars, studios, workshops, presentations, group discussions and group project work.

This diploma is designed for school-leavers as well as current workers, people looking to change careers or upskill and those with family or other commitments. 

Assessment methods

Ongoing assessment throughout the semester includes portfolio work, knowledge tests, essays, reports, oral presentations, group projects, research projects and practical assignments.

Learning at RMIT

The types of classes you have will depend on the course you’re studying. Classes are offered in various formats designed to provide meaningful engagement with staff, industry and peers and provide for access and use of spaces where learning can be applied and active, including an array of specialised equipment.

Most RMIT courses do not include passive large-scale classes such as lectures, instead the content traditionally provided in lectures is made available online. This may be in the form of readings, videos or other on-demand learning materials. This content will also support the basis of interactive learning that takes place in on-campus classes.

RMIT has a leading reputation for public relations qualifications that enhance career opportunities.

This is due to our strong relationship with the Public Relations Institute of Australia, our prominent industry connections and our unique work-based learning approach.

You will benefit from guest speakers, and will have the opportunity to work on real projects and campaigns within simulated industry-style workshops.

Upon completion of this diploma, you have the opportunity to undertake a two-week work placement within the Advanced Diploma of Business (Public Relations).

You'll have the chance to work on project briefs and with members of the Industry Advisory Committee and PRIA. Graduates of this diploma have worked with not-for-profits, government (politicians) and/or on real projects from companies such as Siemens, Nescafe, Australia Post, Guide Dogs Australia, the AFL, Country Road, Climate Change and Vic Roads.

Members of the Public Relations Institute of Australia (PRIA) actively review this diploma's design, assessment and content. 

RMIT University is committed to providing you with an education that strongly links formal learning with professional or vocational practice.

A specialised work integrated learning project with one of our global partners is available to public relations students.

This provides a unique opportunity to work in interdisciplinary teams with students abroad.

The knowledge and skills you will acquire throughout this diploma and how they can be applied in your career are described in the learning outcomes.

You will study eight core and four elective subjects that will provide you with a thorough understanding and practical working knowledge of all aspects of public relations including:

  • creating public relations campaigns, strategies and communications
  • copywriting, creating websites and using digital media
  • conducting market research and analysing  consumer behaviour
  • creating compelling presentations
  • managing projects and group work collaboration
  • interpret market trends and developments
  • creating and designing user interfaces.

Course structure

Choose a plan below to find out more about the subjects you will study and the course structure.

Diploma of Business (Public Relations)
Program code: C5400
National curriculum code: 22524VIC
Title
Location
Duration
Plan code
CRICOS
Diploma of Business (Public Relations)
City Campus
one year full time study
C5400
Location
City Campus
Duration
one year full time study
Plan code
C5400
CRICOS
View plan

Career

Public relations student using laptop outdoors on campus

Your career in public relations

Develop the skills to enter the workforce in a range of public relations and service industry sectors such as tourism and hospitality, fashion, local government, events, media and communications.

Typical roles for a graduate of the Diploma of Public Relations include:

  • public relations account executive
  • communications officer
  • promotional event coordinator
  • social media assistant
  • PR officer
  • community development officer.

You can seek roles in areas such as fashion, tourism and hospitality, public policy, media, journalism, communication agencies, publishing (particularly for multimedia), not-for-profit and social enterprises.

Entry requirements and admissions

You need to satisfy all of the following academic (entry) requirements to be considered for entry into this course.

Option 1:

Diploma of Business (Public Relations) (plan code C5400):

Applicants must meet one of the following minimum academic requirements:

  • Successful completion of the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) (or equivalent)

OR

  • At least 6 months’ work experience in the communications, business or public relations industry sector.

Option 2:

Guaranteed Pathway - Diploma of Business (Public Relations)/Bachelor of Business (plan code C5400PATH1):

Applicants must meet one of the following minimum academic requirements:

  • Successful completion of the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) (or equivalent)

OR

  • At least 6 months’ work experience in the communications, business or public relations industry sector.

There are no prerequisite subjects required for entry into this qualification.

A selection task is not required for entry into this qualification.

Pathways

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Understanding pathways

Undertaking a certificate, diploma, advanced diploma or associate degree can help you meet the entry requirements for your preferred degree. These qualifications often provide credit, reducing the duration of your bachelor degree.

Explore the pathway finder
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Successful completion of one of the following RMIT Pathway Options guarantees entry into this qualification.

Guaranteed Pathways gives you the option to preference pathway packages in VTAC.

If you apply and are successful in gaining a place in a Guaranteed Pathway package, you will progress straight into the Bachelor Degree upon successful completion of the relevant vocational degree (otherwise known as TAFE) first.

With a Guaranteed Pathway package, you can graduate with two internationally-recognised RMIT qualifications.

Credit, recognition of prior learning, professional experience and accreditation from a professional body can reduce the duration of your study by acknowledging your earlier, relevant experience.

Credit and exemptions will be assessed consistent with the principles of the RMIT Credit Policy.

Graduates of this course will be guaranteed entry into the courses below.

For more information, explore our Pathway finder, or contact Study@RMIT.

Fees

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Tuition fees

The tuition fees you will pay for this program will depend on whether you are offered a Victorian Government subsidised place or a full-fee place. To find out if you are eligible for a government subsidised place, follow the steps at How to check if you are eligible.

  • 2025 government subsidised place: AU$10,000* per annum
  • 2025 full-fee place: AU$12,500* per annum

*Fees shown are indicative only and subject to change given individual circumstances at the time of enrolment.

Fee finder

Use our fee finder to get an estimate of your fees for this program.

Additional expenses

  • Student services and amenities fee (SSAF): AU$365 maximum fee for 2025.
  • Other items related to your program, including field trips, textbooks and equipment.

Annual fee adjustment

The student tuition fees as displayed by the fee finder are indicative only and subject to change given individual circumstances at enrolment. Fees are adjusted on an annual basis and these fees should only be used as a guide.

Eligibility Exemption criteria

**The Victorian Government is currently waiving three (3) eligibility criteria around prior qualifications. This means that more people who want to study a vocational education program at RMIT, and who have studied previously, will be able to access a government subsidised place in a program. Find out how to check your eligibility

Defer your payment

The Australian Government provides financial assistance via the VET Student Loans scheme, which allows eligible students in eligible programs to defer payment of their tuition fees, up to the maximum loan amount for their program.

Payments and refunds

For information on how to pay your fees or how to apply for a refund, please see Paying your fees and applying for refunds.

In addition to tuition fees, you will be charged an annual student services and amenities fee (SSAF), which is used to maintain and enhance services and amenities that improve your experience as an RMIT student.

The SSAF is calculated based on your enrolment load and the maximum fee for 2025 is $365.

You may also be required to purchase other items related to your course, including field trips, textbooks and equipment. These additional fees and expenses vary from course to course.

VET Student Loans

The Australian Government provides financial assistance via the VET Student Loans scheme, which allows eligible students in eligible programs to defer payment of their tuition fees, up to the maximum loan amount for their program.

How does a VET Student Loan work?

If your VET Student Loan application is successful, the Australian Government will pay RMIT your tuition fees on your behalf, up to the maximum loan amount for your program.

Your VET Student Loan becomes part of your VETSL debt. You will start repaying your accumulated VETSL debt to the Australian Government once you earn above the minimum income threshold for repayment, which is adjusted each year (this also applies if you are still studying).

The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) will calculate your compulsory repayment for the year and include this on your income tax notice.

The Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology advises that:

  • VET student loans will not be approved for students who do not meet eligibility requirements; and
  • a VET student loan gives rise to a HELP debt that continues to be a debt due to the Commonwealth until it is repaid.

For more information see VET Student Loans or Study Assist.

VET Student Loan cap

If your program is eligible for the VET Student Loan scheme and has a loan cap that doesn’t cover the total amount of the tuition fees for your program, then you’ll need to pay RMIT the difference by the due date once you exceed the cap.

It’s easy for you to keep track of your VET Student Loan debt, and you can choose to make upfront payments at any time before the census date. 

RMIT awards more than 2000 scholarships every year to recognise academic achievement and assist students from a variety of backgrounds.

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In addition to tuition fees you also need to pay for:

You also need to account for your living expenses. Estimate the cost of living in Melbourne.

Student services and amenities fee (SSAF)

In addition to tuition fees, you will be charged an annual student services and amenities fee (SSAF), which is used to maintain and enhance services and amenities that improve your experience as an RMIT student.

The SSAF is calculated based on your enrolment load and the maximum fee for 2025 is $365. 

Find out more details about how fees are calculated and the expected annual increase.

Applying for refunds

Find information on how to apply for a refund as a continuing international student.

RMIT awards more than 2000 scholarships every year to recognise academic achievement and assist students from a variety of backgrounds.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Looking for answers or more general information?

Use our Frequently Asked Questions to learn about the application process and its equity access schemes, find out how to accept or defer your offer or request a leave of absence, discover information about your fees, refunds and scholarships, and explore the various student support and advocacy services, as well as how to find out more about your preferred program, and more.

This course is not available for international students intending to study on a student visa.

Information for international students

Sorry, this course is not available for international students intending to study on a student visa. If you hold a different visa type, you may be eligible. Please contact Study@RMIT for more information.

 

Information for local students

If you are a local student please select 'switch to local' below to view the full course information.

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Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Sentient' by Hollie Johnson, Gunaikurnai and Monero Ngarigo.

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aboriginal flag
torres strait flag

Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business.

More information