Graduate Diploma of Professional Accounting
Blended learning – on-campus and digital learning
The Graduate Diploma of Professional Accounting provides a sound introduction to procedures in accounting and finance. It can also provide a pathway towards a Master of Professional Accounting.
Designed to develop the technical, analytical and creative skills you’ll need to support a successful career in accounting and finance. It also builds on the Graduate Certificate with a deeper dive into company reporting, managerial and financial accounting, and financial management.
Our strong industry links mean your experiential learning is relevant and practised with real-world cases and robust discussions with practising professionals.
Graduates may choose to continue into a Swinburne Master of Professional Accounting with full credit for completed units.
Graduates who hold an accounting qualification from a recognised overseas university or equivalent, upon successful completion of the Graduate Diploma of Professional Accounting, may be eligible to apply for Associate membership of CPA Australia and Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CAANZ).
Duration
1 year full-time or equivalent part-time
Intakes
Hawthorn (Semester 1, Semester 2) - View application and start dates
Study modes
- Full-time,
- Part-time (day)
2023 Start Dates
2024 Start Dates
Course information in detail
- Course detail, course structure and units of study.
Course description
Course structure
- Graduate Certificate of Professional Accounting and forms the second stage of the
- Master of Professional Accounting
- Eight core units of study (100 credit points)
Maximum Academic Credit
The maximum level of credit that can be granted for the Graduate Diploma of Professional Accounting is 50 credit points (normally four units)
Units of study
Students complete the following four units (12.5 credit points each):
ECO80001 Economics *
FIN60003 Business Modelling and Analysis
Student complete the following four units (12.5 credit points each):
ACC80003 Company Auditing
Careers and graduate outcomes
- Career opportunities, course aims and objectives and professional recognition.
Career opportunities
Aims and objectives
- 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, 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 contex
- 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.

Professional recognition
Pathways and scholarships
- Scholarships.
Course fees and requirements
- Entry requirements and non-year 12 entry.
Course fees
How do I pay my fees?
FEE-HELP is a loan given to eligible full-fee paying higher education students to help pay part or all of their tuition fees. The Commonwealth Government pays the amount of the loan directly to Swinburne.
Entry requirements
A recognised bachelor degree in any discipline PLUS a minimum of two years equivalent full-time relevant professional experience* or
A Graduate Certificate of Professional Accounting** or
**Students entering under this admission requirement will be given full credit for the units completed.