• Home
  • Courses by Subject
      • Accounting
      • Bookkeeping
      • Compliance and Risk
      • Finance
      • MYOB
      • Payroll
      • Xero
      • Animal Care
      • Animal Science
      • Pet Grooming
      • Veterinary Nursing
      • Arts
      • Dance
      • Graphic Design
      • Interior Design
      • Photography
      • User Experience Design
      • Web Design
      • Building and Construction
      • Plumbing
      • Business
      • Business Administration
      • Business Development
      • Business Operations
      • Change Management
      • Entrepreneurship
      • Human Resources
      • Leadership and Management
      • Logistics
      • Management
      • MBA
      • PRINCE2
      • Product Management
      • Professional Development
      • Project Management
      • Quality Management
      • Supply Chain Operations
      • Aged Care
      • Alcohol and Other Drugs
      • Community Services
      • Disability
      • Individual Support
      • Youth Work
      • Child Care
      • Education
      • Education Support
      • Training and Assessment
      • Manufacturing
      • Conservation and Land Management
      • Health Science
      • Horticulture
      • Sustainability
      • Beauty
      • Hairdressing
      • Lash
      • Makeup
      • Nail Technology
      • Allied Health
      • Counselling
      • Dental Assisting
      • Fitness
      • Health
      • Health Administration
      • Health Services Assistance
      • Life Coaching
      • Massage
      • Mental Health
      • Naturopathy
      • Nursing
      • Nutrition
      • Personal Training
      • Pharmacy
      • Practice Management
      • Psychology
      • Sports Management
      • Celebrancy
      • Event Management
      • Hospitality
      • Retail
      • Travel and Tourism
      • Agile
      • Artificial Intelligence
      • AWS
      • Cloud Computing
      • Coding
      • CompTIA
      • Cyber Security
      • Data Analytics
      • Data Science
      • IT
      • ITIL
      • Microsoft
      • Networking
      • Programming
      • Software
      • Systems Administration
      • Web Development
      • Government
      • Legal
      • Work Health and Safety
      • Digital Marketing
      • Marketing
      • Sales
      • Social Media Marketing
    • Blended
    • In-class
    • Online
    • Virtual
    • ACT
    • New South Wales
    • Northern Territory
    • South Australia
    • Tasmania
    • Victoria
    • Western Australia
    • Queensland
    • Certificate II
    • Certificate III
    • Certificate IV
    • Short
    • Diploma
    • Advanced Diploma
    • Associate Degree
    • Bachelor
    • Graduate Certificate
    • Graduate Diploma
    • Masters
  • Resources
  • Workforce Training
  • Contact us
  • Advertise With Us
  • Affiliates
  • About us
Homepage 
ResourcesCareers in AustraliaEducation in AustraliaHow to StudyStudy in AustraliaTAFE in Australia
  1. Home
  2. Resources
  3. Education and Training
  4. Best Small Business Courses: Which One’s Right For You?

Published 2 Feb 2021

Best Small Business Courses: Which One’s Right For You?

Avatar photo Candlefox

Making the decision to branch out and start your own small business is an exciting career choice. While having a great idea is a good starting point, launching a start-up requires business acumen skills including administration, marketing and management. Undertaking a course is an excellent way to ensure you have the necessary skills to set up your business.

With various study options on offer, it can be challenging to find the course that is best suited for you. That’s why we’ve broken down the main types of small business courses — so you can pick the right one to get your business off the ground.

Certificate courses

Certificate courses are a great study option if you are looking to fill in your business knowledge gaps. The smaller time commitment is also an overall benefit of completing this type of course, as it also allows you the time to simultaneously work on starting your new business.


Certificate IV
in New Small Business

Monarch Institute
Monarch Institute Logo

Benefits

  • Focuses on operational elements of starting and managing a business
  • Online workshops facilitated by expert industry qualified trainers
  • No prerequisites

Study mode

  • Online

self-paced study duration up to
0 months

Best for

Learning the fundamentals in starting a small business at your own pace.


Learn More
 

Certificate III
in Business Administration

Foundation Education

Foundation Education

Benefits

  • Master the basics of office admin support
  • Learn service monitoring, payroll, and document design
  • Nationally approved and recognised vocational training course
  • No prerequisites

Study mode

  • Online

typical study duration
0 months

Best for

Brushing up on industry-standard skills in basic business administration.


Learn More

Diploma courses

Completing a Diploma in a business-related field will give you specialist knowledge to help give your business a competitive edge. A Diploma is a great option if you are looking to get creative with your business sooner, rather than focusing heavily on the theoretical side of study.


Diploma
of Social Media Marketing

Monarch Institute
Monarch Institute Logo

Benefits

  • Useful for learning to develop and implement a social media marketing strategy
  • Nationally approved and recognised vocational training course
  • For students without an equal or higher level qualification, there is a short language, literacy and numeracy quiz

Study mode

  • Online

self-paced study duration up to
0 months

Best for

Business owners looking to use social media in their marketing strategy.


Learn More
 

Diploma
of Leadership and Management

Foundation Education

Foundation Education

Benefits

  • Develop skills to successfully manage a team and ensure peak performance
  • Learn to design solutions to unpredictable problems
  • Developed with industry expertise
  • Flexible, self-paced study

Study mode

  • Online


typical study duration up to
0 months

Best for

People looking to eventually manage a small team within their business.


Learn More

Bachelor’s courses

Completing a Bachelor’s Degree will give you a deeper understanding of all areas of starting a business. While a bigger time commitment, a Bachelor’s course will provide valuable insights from mentors to help get your business off the ground.


Bachelor
of Applied Entrepreneurship

Ducere Business School
Monarch Institute Logo

Benefits

  • Start building out your business ideas while studying
  • Access to the local start-up landscape through incubators, accelerators and investors
  • Various entry options available

Study mode

  • Online
  • Virtual

2yrs/0yrs
full-time/part-time

Best for

People looking to develop their business idea as part of their degree.


Learn More
 

Bachelor
of Applied Business (Marketing)

Ducere Business School
Monarch Institute Logo

Benefits

  • Teaches the fundamentals of marketing, design and campaign strategy
  • Make connections with Ducere’s partners through industry events
  • Various entry options available

Study mode

  • Online
  • Virtual


2yrs/0yrs
full-time/part-time

Best for

If you want to learn how to market your business in a competitive industry.


Learn More

What qualification is right for me?

Choosing the course and level of qualification needed for your business idea will vary based on a number of factors. Picking the right qualification will depend on your circumstances, including your previous work, your business idea and the time you wish to invest into completing a course.

Study options for business owners will generally centre around three pathways, which include:


  • Certificate

    Focuses on developing practical and technical skills, covering a broad range of topics. While placing less emphasis on theoretical knowledge, Certificate qualifications are generally less of a time commitment in comparison with Higher Education options. There are four levels (I, II, III & IV) with some prerequisites for some of the higher level certificates.

  • Diploma

    Combines a mix of both technical and theoretical knowledge to gain a greater understanding of a subject. Completing a Diploma course will ensure you have the required skills and knowledge to succeed within your industry. While more time consuming than a Certificate course, completing a Diploma is generally still shorter than a Bachelor’s qualification.

  • Bachelor

    Focuses in great detail on one discipline. Completing a Bachelor’s Degree means that you have an extensive understanding in both technical skills and theoretical knowledge. The time commitment involved in completing a Bachelor’s Degree is considerably longer than Certificate or Diploma courses, but is also the highest level of qualification out of the three pathways.


Have you been thinking about starting up your own small business?

Starting your own business offers a fantastic opportunity to be creative and independent with your work. To set your business up for success, consider enrolling in a course today.

Discover Courses Now
Avatar photo
Candlefox
Candlefox

Navigator Illustration
Not sure which course to choose? Let us recommend the best courses to suit you!
gator tooltip icon
Our course navigator helps refine thousands of courses into a personalised list that suits you. Click to answer each question, so we can provide you with the best possible courses, tailored to your preferences.
Not sure which course to choose? Let us recommend the best courses to suit you!

Try our navigator tool and find the right course.

Start Here
Navigator Illustration

Latest Articles


Top 10 High Income Skills of 2025 (Based on Real Data)

High-income skills allow you to future-proof your career, making you valuable to any employer. Our d...

Avatar photo
Michael Yi
Nov 29, 2024
Read More

21 Legit Ways to Make Money Online Fast (& Slow) in 2025

Need to boost your income? We compare the best ways to make money online, short- and long-term, that...

Avatar photo
Kristen Michaelides
Nov 26, 2024
Read More

Online Teaching Jobs You Can do From Home — No Degree Needed

Teaching is a rewarding job where you get to use your accrued wisdom and experience to help others o...

Avatar photo
Michael Yi
Oct 13, 2024
Read More

Want to Read More?


Study at TAFE | Guide to TAFE Courses in Australia

One of the great things about Australia’s education system is the way in which it makes higher educa...

Avatar photo
Kristen Michaelides
Feb 7, 2023
Read More

Should You Invest in Your Skills Before Going Back to Work

To achieve success in your career, it’s essential to identify the right skills to invest in ba...

Avatar photo
Kristen Michaelides
Jan 29, 2024
Read More

The Best Internships for Millennials

Pedestrian Jobs conducted a study which showed that that the majority (75%) of graduates who underto...

Avatar photo
Candlefox
Aug 24, 2020
Read More

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get expert advice, insights, and explainers on tricky topics — designed to help you navigate your learning journey with confidence.

By submitting this enquiry I accept the "Privacy Policy" and "Terms of Use"
  • chevron-left
  • Popular Subjects
  • Study Locations
  • Qualification Type
  • Popular Blogs
  • chevron-right
  • Community Services
  • Accounting
  • Animal Care
  • Aged Care
  • Child Care
  • Counselling
  • IT
  • Business Admin
  • Business
  • Disability
  • Education
  • Project Management
  • Marketing
  • Allied Health
  • Building and Construction
  • Fitness
  • View More
  • New South Wales
  • Northern Territory
  • Queensland
  • South Australia
  • Tasmania
  • Victoria
  • Western Australia
  • View More
  • Advanced Diploma
  • Bachelor
  • Certificate III
  • Certificate IV
  • Diploma
  • Short
  • Graduate Certificate
  • View More
  • 5 Low-Stress Jobs to a Create Perfect Work-Life Balance
  • 10 Highest Paying Jobs in Australia Without a Degree
  • 12+ Best Side Hustles in Australia: Money Makers
  • What Are The Most Enjoyable Careers? Top 12 Fun Jobs
  • 22 Jobs You Don't Need Experience For: Learn While You Earn
  • TAFE, VET and AQF – Acronyms in Australian Learning
  • Changing Careers Over 50: The Best Decision You’ll Ever Make
  • Government Funded Courses and Subsidised Training
  • Never Too Late: Studying at TAFE as a Mature Age Student
  • Study at TAFE | Guide to TAFE Courses in Australia
  • 35 Profitable (and Fun) Home Business Ideas You Can Start Today
  • The Top Careers That Earn Over $100K Without a Degree
  • Top 10 High Income Skills of 2025 (Based on Real Data)
  • What is TAFE (Technical and Further Education)
  • View More

Newsletter sign up

We'll email you updates on job trends, career advice, study tips, news and more.
Courses
  • All subjects
  • Online courses
About Us
  • About tafecourses.com.au
Contact us
  • Contact
  • Advertise your course
  • Become an affiliate
Resources
  • Our blog
  • Workforce training
Privacy Policy Terms of Use
Certified B Corporation
Tafecourses Facebook Tafecourses Instagram
Certified B Corporation
Australian Aboriginal flag Torres Strait Islander flag
In the spirit of reconciliation, tafecourses.com.au acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.
Copyright © 2025 Tafecourses.com.au
All Rights Reserved.

Newsletter Sign Up

We’ll email you updates on job trends, career advice, study tips, news and more.

By downloading this template I accept the "Privacy Policy" and "Terms of Use"
Back to Top