Are you a working Australian thinking about upskilling but not sure how long a double diploma will actually take? You are not alone. This is one of the most commonly searched questions from professionals across Australia who want to advance their careers, earn more, and gain nationally recognised qualifications without stepping away from their current job or family commitments.

The good news is that at Right Choice Training (RTO #45790), a double diploma is delivered 100% online and completely self-paced. The maximum enrolment period is 24 months, but many motivated students finish well within 12 to 18 months. Some students with relevant work experience even complete eligible units in a matter of weeks through Recognition of Prior Learning.

This guide will walk you through everything you need to know, including what a double diploma is, how long it takes, all available double diploma courses with their course codes, the full list of benefits, how RPL works, and how to enrol today.

What Is a Double Diploma in Australia?

A double diploma, also called a dual diploma or double qualification, is a packaged training programme that allows you to earn two separate nationally recognised diploma qualifications at the same time through a single enrolment. Rather than studying each diploma independently, the double diploma structure identifies units that are shared across both qualifications and counts them only once. This means you complete significantly fewer units overall compared to doing both diplomas separately, saving you time, money, and effort while still graduating with two fully accredited credentials.

All double diploma courses at Right Choice Training are nationally recgonised under the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) and delivered entirely online through our easy to use learning management system. Whether you are based in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Darwin, Hobart, or a regional area of Australia, you can study from wherever you are without ever needing to attend a campus.

A double diploma is recognised by employers across all industries and all Australian states and territories. It appears on your transcript as two separate qualifications, which means your resume shows two individual credentials rather than just a combined one.

How Long Does a Double Diploma Take to Complete Online?

The total maximum enrolment period for all double diploma courses at Right Choice Training is 24 months. This is the outer boundary of your study window, and you can take as little or as much of that time as you need.

Your actual completion time will depend on a few key factors.

How many hours per week you commit to study. Students who set aside 8 to 12 hours per week while working full time typically finish their double diploma in 12 to 18 months. Students who can dedicate more time, such as 15 to 20 hours per week, often finish in 6 to 9 months. Even casual learners studying just 8-10 hours per week can comfortably complete their online diploma within the 24-month window.

Your existing industry experience and background knowledge. If you already work in the field related to your chosen double diploma, for example you are a manager studying the Diploma of Leadership and Management or a safety officer studying the Diploma of Work Health and Safety, you will find the material far more familiar and quicker to move through.

Whether you are eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning. If you have substantial work experience in a relevant field, you may be able to have some or all units formally recognised without completing standard study for those units. RPL and Credit Transfer can dramatically reduce your completion time and is one of the most underutilised pathways available to working Australian professionals.

The specific double diploma combination you choose. Some combinations share more units than others, which affects the total number of assessments you need to complete.

Here is a general guide to expected completion times at Right Choice Training.

Students who qualify for RPL across multiple units can often complete those eligible units within 4 to 12 weeks. Students studying full time with 20 or more hours per week available typically finish in 6 to 9 months. Students working full time and studying part time with around 8 to 12 hours per week generally complete their double diploma in 12 to 18 months. Students with very limited study time of around 8-10 hours per week can still comfortably finish within the 24-month enrolment period.

Because there are no fixed class schedules, no mandatory live sessions, and no campus attendance requirements, you are entirely in control of your study pace. You can study early mornings, during your lunch break, on weekends, or late at night. The flexibility is genuine and unrestricted.

All Double Diploma Courses at Right Choice Training

Right Choice Training offers a carefully designed range of double diploma combinations across business, leadership, safety, HR, project management, marketing, and auditing. Every combination has been built to maximise unit sharing so you earn both qualifications as efficiently as possible.

1. Double Diploma: BSB50420 Diploma of Leadership and Management and BSB50120 Diploma of Business

Course Codes: BSB50420 and BSB50120

This is one of the most popular double diploma combinations in Australia and is ideal for managers, team leaders, supervisors, business owners, and professionals moving into senior roles. The BSB50420 Diploma of Leadership and Management develops your skills in leading and managing people, building high-performing teams, communicating with influence, developing critical and creative thinking, and applying emotional intelligence in the workplace. The BSB50120 Diploma of Business builds your expertise in business strategy, operational planning, organisational compliance, business development, and stakeholder management.

Together, these two diplomas create a powerful foundation for anyone who wants to lead people and manage business operations effectively. Shared units mean you complete fewer total assessments, and you graduate with two credentials that are extremely well regarded by employers across all sectors including government, corporate, not for profit, and small business. This double diploma is particularly valuable for professionals in NSW, VIC, QLD, and WA where corporate leadership and management roles are consistently among the highest demand positions in the job market.

2. Double Diploma: BSB50420 Diploma of Leadership and Management and BSB50820 Diploma of Project Management

Course Codes: BSB50420 and BSB50820

This double diploma is ideal for professionals who manage both people and projects, a combination that describes the majority of mid to senior level roles across almost every industry in Australia. The BSB50420 Diploma of Leadership and Management equips you with the interpersonal, strategic, and operational skills needed to lead teams effectively. The BSB50820 Diploma of Project Management provides a formal, structured framework for managing projects across their full lifecycle from initiation and planning through to execution, monitoring, and closeout.

This combination is especially sought after in construction, engineering, IT, healthcare, resources, government infrastructure, and professional services, which are industries where project delivery and team leadership are inseparable functions. Completing this double diploma signals to employers that you can deliver results on time and within scope while managing the human dynamics of a team simultaneously.

3. Double Diploma: BSB51319 Diploma of Work Health and Safety and BSB50920 Diploma of Quality Auditing

Course Codes: BSB51319 and BSB50920

This is the premier double diploma combination for compliance, safety, and quality professionals in Australia. The BSB51319 Diploma of Work Health and Safety is designed for those who want advanced expertise in WHS management, including hazard identification, risk management, WHS management systems, incident investigation, and regulatory compliance under Australian WHS legislation. The BSB50920 Diploma of Quality Auditing develops your skills in designing, conducting, and reporting on quality audits across internal and external contexts.

Together, these two qualifications position you as a specialist in both the management of workplace safety and the systematic assurance of quality standards. This is a combination that is extraordinarily valuable in industries such as mining, construction, manufacturing, logistics, healthcare, and government contracting, where both safety and quality certifications are often mandatory at the management level. This double diploma frequently leads directly to higher paying senior roles in compliance and safety management.

4. Double Diploma: BSB51319 Diploma of Work Health and Safety and BSB50820 Diploma of Project Management

Course Codes: BSB51319 and BSB50820

This double diploma is specifically designed for safety professionals working in project-heavy industries such as construction, mining, engineering, oil and gas, infrastructure, and resources. Managing WHS on a live project environment requires both deep safety knowledge and strong project management capability, and this combination delivers exactly that. The BSB51319 Diploma of Work Health and Safety provides advanced WHS management skills including risk frameworks, legislative compliance, contractor management, incident investigation, and WHS systems. The BSB50820 Diploma of Project Management provides the formal project methodology and planning frameworks used across major Australian project environments.

Professionals holding both qualifications are capable of managing the safety dimension of a project as a core integrated function rather than as a separate add-on. This makes them significantly more employable and promotable in industries where safety is non-negotiable and project delivery is the primary business model.

5. Double Diploma: BSB50320 Diploma of Human Resource Management and BSB50420 Diploma of Leadership and Management

Course Codes: BSB50320 and BSB50420

This double diploma is purpose-built for HR professionals, people and culture managers, and anyone who leads teams and manages the human dimension of an organisation. The BSB50320 Diploma of Human Resource Management covers talent acquisition and onboarding, performance management, workforce planning, employee and industrial relations, learning and development, and HR compliance. The BSB50420 Diploma of Leadership and Management develops broader leadership, communication, and strategic people management skills.

The overlap between these two qualifications is substantial, which means you benefit from significant unit sharing and a more efficient pathway to both credentials. HR professionals completing this double diploma frequently transition into more senior HR business partner, organisational development, or people and culture leadership roles, all of which consistently command higher salaries than standard HR officer positions. This combination is widely recognised by employers across Australia’s corporate, government, and not for profit sectors.

6. Double Diploma: BSB50620 Diploma of Marketing and Communication and BSB50120 Diploma of Business

Course Codes: BSB50620 and BSB50120

This double diploma is ideal for marketing professionals, communications specialists, brand managers, and entrepreneurs who want to pair their creative and strategic marketing expertise with a solid business operations foundation. The BSB50620 Diploma of Marketing and Communication covers marketing planning, digital strategy, social media management, brand communication, stakeholder engagement, and marketing research. The BSB50120 Diploma of Business develops business strategy, operational management, financial understanding, and organisational planning skills.

Marketing professionals who hold both qualifications are not limited to pure marketing roles. They are equally competitive for business development, client services, operations management, and general management positions. In the current Australian job market, the combination of marketing intelligence and business acumen is highly sought after across SMEs, agencies, corporations, and startups. This double diploma is an excellent choice for anyone building toward a marketing director, head of growth, or general management position.

9 Key Benefits of Completing a Double Diploma Online in Australia

Choosing a double diploma over a single diploma is one of the most strategically sound career decisions a working Australian professional can make. Here is a detailed breakdown of why.

Benefit 1: You Graduate With Two Nationally Recognised Qualifications

When you complete a double diploma at Right Choice Training, you are issued two separate AQF-certified qualification certificates. Your transcript shows both qualifications individually, which means your resume carries two recognised credentials rather than one. For employers reviewing applications, this signals a broader skill set, greater professional investment, and stronger industry knowledge. In competitive job markets, this distinction can be the deciding factor in securing an interview or a promotion.

Benefit 2: Significant Cost Savings Compared to Two Separate Enrolments

Because a double diploma shares units across both qualifications, you are effectively getting two credentials for considerably less than the cost of completing them separately. Right Choice Training’s double diploma pricing is structured to reflect this. You pay for one combined programme, not two full enrolments. This makes the double diploma one of the highest value investments in professional development available in Australia’s vocational education and training sector. Flexible weekly and fortnightly payment plans are also available to make the cost manageable.

Benefit 3: Faster Completion Than Doing Both Diplomas Separately

Shared units mean shared effort. By studying a double diploma, you are not repeating learning content that appears in both qualifications. You go through it once and receive credit for both. The result is that you can complete two full diploma qualifications in roughly the same time it would take to complete one and a half diplomas separately. This efficiency is a genuine competitive advantage for career-focused professionals who value their time as much as their credentials.

Benefit 4: Stronger Position in the Australian Job Market

Dual qualifications significantly broaden the range of roles you are eligible and competitive for. A professional holding both the Diploma of Leadership and Management and the Diploma of Project Management can apply for team leadership roles, project coordinator positions, project manager roles, operations management positions, and general management opportunities, all from a single study investment. The wider your qualification base, the wider your career options, and the less vulnerable you are to industry specific downturns.

Benefit 5: 100% Online and Fully Self-Paced

There is no campus attendance, no scheduled live classes, and no fixed assessment deadlines at Right Choice Training. Every aspect of your double diploma is managed through the online learning platform, accessible on any device from any location in Australia. This means you can study from your home in regional Queensland, your apartment in inner Melbourne, a site office in Western Australia, or anywhere else, at the time of day that suits your schedule. True flexibility is not a marketing phrase at Right Choice Training. It is the fundamental design of the course delivery.

Benefit 6: Unlimited Specialist Trainer Support at No Extra Cost

Every double diploma enrolment at Right Choice Training includes access to dedicated specialist trainers and assessors who are available Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm AEST. You can reach the learning support team via email or through the online platform whenever you need clarification, guidance on an assessment, or support with course content. This support is included in your enrolment fee. There is no additional charge for trainer access at any point during your study.

Benefit 7: Free and Unlimited Assessment Resubmissions

If your trainer provides feedback requesting additional detail on an assessment, you can revise and resubmit as many times as needed. Right Choice Training does not charge for resubmissions. There are no penalties, no extra fees, and no limit on the number of times you can resubmit a piece of work. This removes a significant financial pressure that exists at many other Australian RTOs, where resubmission fees can add unexpectedly to the overall cost of a course.

Benefit 8: Eligibility for RPL Can Dramatically Reduce Your Study Time

If you have existing relevant work experience, you may be eligible to have some or all units formally recognised through Recognition of Prior Learning. This means that instead of studying from scratch, you document your existing competency and your trainer formally assesses and recognises it. RPL and Credit Transfer is one of the most underutilised options in the Australian VET sector, and Right Choice Training actively supports students through the RPL process from start to finish. For experienced professionals, RPL can turn a 12-month study commitment into a process of weeks for the eligible units.

Benefit 9: 7-Day Cooling-Off Period and Money-Back Guarantee

Right Choice Training offers a 7-day cooling-off period from the date of payment. If you enrol and change your mind within the first 7 days, you are entitled to a full refund. This gives you the confidence to enrol without risk. Very few RTOs in Australia offer this level of enrolment confidence. To learn more about what sets us apart, visit our Why Study With RCT page.

How Does the Online Study Process Work?

Studying a double diploma online at Right Choice Training is designed to be straightforward, intuitive, and entirely flexible. Here is exactly how the process works from the moment you enrol to the day you receive your qualifications.

When you enrol, you can start immediately. There are no intake dates and no waiting periods. You choose your double diploma combination, complete your enrolment form through the How to Enrol page, and select your preferred payment option. From the day you enrol, you have instant access to all learning materials and all assessment tasks through the online learning platform. You do not need to wait for materials to be sent to you or for a course to formally begin.

You then work through the units at your own pace, in the order that makes sense for your situation. There are no mandatory submission deadlines and no required live attendance. The learning materials are designed to be practical, industry-relevant, and directly applicable to real Australian workplaces. You are encouraged to draw on your own work experience throughout your assessments, which makes the process both more meaningful and more efficient.

When you complete each assessment, you submit it through the platform. Your trainer will review your submission and provide detailed, constructive written feedback typically within a few business days. If the assessment is satisfactory, it is marked as competent and you move to the next unit. If the trainer requests additional information or clarification, you revise your submission and resubmit at no extra cost, as many times as needed.

Once all units are completed and all competencies are signed off, Right Choice Training issues your two certificates. These are issued as separate qualification documents and are verifiable online through the Certificate Verification page at any time.

Can Recognition of Prior Learning Speed Up Your Double Diploma?

Recognition of Prior Learning, commonly known as RPL, is a formal process under the Australian Qualifications Framework that allows existing competency gained through work experience, previous training, or life experience to be assessed and recognised without requiring the student to complete standard study for those units.

RPL is available for most units across all double diploma courses at Right Choice Training. If you can demonstrate through documented evidence that you already have the skills and knowledge required by a particular unit, your trainer can formally assess that evidence and mark the unit as competent. The types of evidence typically accepted include workplace documents you have created or worked with, position descriptions and employment records, performance reviews, letters from supervisors or employers, and photos or records of work completed.

The practical impact of RPL on a double diploma completion timeline can be very significant. A WHS manager with five or more years of documented WHS management experience, for example, may qualify for RPL across multiple units of the BSB51319 Diploma of Work Health and Safety, reducing their actual study requirements to a fraction of the full programme. A project manager with extensive project delivery experience may similarly qualify for RPL across key units of the BSB50820 Diploma of Project Management.

Right Choice Training’s team will discuss your RPL eligibility with you at the time of enrolment and guide you through the documentation process from start to finish. If you are considering enrolment and have substantial relevant work experience, it is strongly recommended that you contact the team before enrolling to understand your RPL eligibility and how it might reduce your completion time and cost.

Who Is a Double Diploma Designed For?

A double diploma online in Australia is suitable for a wide range of professionals and learners. There are no mandatory entry requirements for most of Right Choice Training’s double diploma combinations, which means the courses are accessible regardless of your prior formal education level.

The double diploma is particularly well suited to working professionals who are already employed in fields related to their chosen qualifications and want to formalise their skills and gain national recognition. It is also an excellent option for professionals who are targeting a promotion or senior role that requires a recognised qualification. People who are changing careers and want to build credibility quickly in a new field will also benefit significantly, as will new Australians who hold overseas qualifications that are not directly recognised here and need a nationally recognised credential to demonstrate their competency to Australian employers.

The online, self-paced model makes the double diploma accessible to people who work full time, shift workers, parents with young children, people living in remote or regional areas far from any major training campus, and anyone whose lifestyle makes fixed-schedule study impractical.

Why Choose Right Choice Training for Your Double Diploma?

Right Choice Training is one of Australia’s leading online vocational education providers. As a registered training organisation under RTO #45790, Right Choice Training is regulated by the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) and is authorised to issue nationally recognised qualifications under the AQF.

The provider holds a 4.8-star Google rating based on more than 134 individual student reviews from across Australia. Students consistently praise the quality of the learning materials, the responsiveness of the trainer and admin team, the flexibility of the self-paced online model, and the speed of assessment feedback and certificate issuing.

Right Choice Training offers some of the most competitive pricing for nationally recognised double diploma courses in Australia, with flexible payment plans that make the investment manageable regardless of your current financial situation. The 7-day cooling-off period means you can enrol with full confidence, and the no-fee resubmission policy means you never face unexpected costs during your study.

The learning support team is available Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm AEST through both email and the online platform, and the team is committed to helping every student complete their course and achieve their career goals. You can find answers to common questions on the FAQs page or reach out directly through the Contact page.

Frequently Asked Questions:

FAQ 1: How long does a double diploma take to complete online in Australia?

At Right Choice Training, the total enrolment period for a double diploma is up to 24 months. Most students studying part time alongside full time work complete their double diploma in 12 to 18 months. Students who commit to full time study can often finish in 6 to 9 months. Students who are eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning across multiple units may complete the eligible portions of their course in a significantly shorter timeframe, sometimes weeks rather than months for those units. Because the course is 100% online and self-paced, your actual completion time is entirely determined by the hours per week you dedicate to study.

FAQ 2: What is the difference between a double diploma and two separate diplomas?

A double diploma combines two diploma qualifications into a single, streamlined programme that identifies and counts shared units only once. This means you complete fewer total units compared to enrolling in each diploma separately, saving you time and money while earning both credentials. For example, studying the BSB50420 Diploma of Leadership and Management and the BSB50820 Diploma of Project Management separately might require completing up to 24 units in total. As a double diploma, the shared units are combined, reducing the total while still resulting in two separate, fully recognised qualifications on your transcript.

FAQ 3: Are online double diploma courses nationally recognised in Australia?

Yes. Right Choice Training is a registered training organisation (RTO #45790) regulated by the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA). All qualifications issued are nationally recognised under the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) and are fully accepted by employers across all Australian states and territories. You can verify any certificate issued by Right Choice Training at any time through the Certificate Verification page on the website.

FAQ 4: Can I use my work experience to reduce my study time through RPL?

Yes. Recognition of Prior Learning is available for most units across all double diploma courses at Right Choice Training. If you have relevant work experience that demonstrates the skills and knowledge required by a unit, your trainer can formally assess that evidence and mark the unit as competent without requiring you to complete the standard study materials for that unit. This can significantly reduce both your study time and cost. It is highly recommended that you contact the team before enrolling if you have substantial relevant industry experience.

FAQ 5: How much does a double diploma cost online in Australia?

Right Choice Training offers highly competitive and transparent pricing for all double diploma qualifications. The exact cost depends on the specific combination you choose. Flexible payment options are available including fortnightly and weekly payment plans. A 7-day cooling-off period from the date of payment applies, giving you a full refund if you change your mind within the first 7 days of enrolment. Visit the Double Diploma Courses page for current pricing, or call 1300 800 682 for a personalised quote and to discuss your specific situation.