If you have spent years leading teams, running departments, or managing complex operations, you already know what it means to lead at a senior level. What you may not have is the formal qualification that reflects that experience and positions you for the next step.
The BSB60420 Advanced Diploma of Leadership and Management is designed exactly for that situation. It is the highest vocational management qualification available in Australia’s VET system, sitting at AQF Level 6, and it is built for people who are ready to operate at a strategic and executive level rather than just manage the day-to-day.
This article explains what the BSB60420 covers, who it is designed for, what entry requirements apply, and what career doors it opens.
What is the BSB60420?
The BSB60420 is a nationally recognised qualification within the Business Services Training Package, regulated by ASQA and sitting at AQF Level 6. It is one step above the BSB50420 Diploma of Leadership and Management (AQF Level 5) and at the same AQF level as an associate degree.
Where the Diploma focuses on operational leadership, the Advanced Diploma shifts the focus to strategic leadership: how organisations plan at an enterprise level, how senior leaders manage change, how innovation is driven from the top, and how leadership is communicated and modelled across an entire organisation rather than just within a team or department.
At AIMT, the BSB60420 is delivered face-to-face over 60 weeks, comprising 40 weeks of scheduled classroom instruction and up to 20 weeks of public holidays and term breaks. It is structured around 10 units of competency: 5 core units and 5 elective units.
The 5 core units
Every student who completes the BSB60420, anywhere in Australia, must complete the same five core units. These are mandated by the national training package and reflect the competencies required at a genuine strategic leadership level.
1. Lead and manage organisational change (BSBLDR601)
Change is constant in modern organisations, and the ability to lead it effectively is one of the most valued skills in senior management. This unit covers how to identify the need for change, develop and communicate a change management strategy, engage stakeholders, and manage resistance. It is the difference between organisations that adapt and those that don’t.
2. Provide leadership across the organisation (BSBLDR602)
At the Advanced Diploma level, leadership is not just about managing your direct reports. It is about modelling the values, behaviours, and standards that define how the entire organisation operates. This unit develops the skills to communicate organisational mission and goals, influence groups and individuals at all levels, and build the kind of credibility that makes people want to follow.
3. Develop and implement business plans (BSBOPS601)
This unit moves beyond operational plans and into enterprise-level business planning: conducting market analysis, developing strategic objectives, setting KPIs, allocating resources, and monitoring performance against the plan. It is the core business planning competency for anyone responsible for an organisation’s direction and results.
4. Manage innovation and continuous improvement (BSBSTR601)
Organisations that do not innovate fall behind. This unit covers how to create a culture that actively encourages and rewards new ideas, how to evaluate and implement innovations, and how to embed continuous improvement as an ongoing organisational practice rather than a one-off project. It moves from the operational improvement focus of the Diploma to enterprise-wide innovation leadership.
5. Apply critical thinking for complex problem solving (BSBCRT611)
Complex, interconnected problems at the executive level require a different level of analytical capability than day-to-day operational issues. This unit develops structured approaches to solving problems that have no obvious single answer: synthesising information from multiple sources, evaluating competing options, managing risk and uncertainty, and reaching decisions that are both sound and actionable.
The 5 elective units
The five elective units in the BSB60420 are chosen by each RTO in line with the national packaging rules. At least three electives must be drawn from the qualification’s approved elective list, with up to two drawn from any other Certificate IV or above in an endorsed Training Package.
AIMT selects electives to complement the core units and reflect the industries and career goals of its students. Speak with the AIMT admissions team to confirm the current elective package and how it applies to your situation.
Elective units available within the BSB60420 framework include topics such as:
- Develop organisational strategies (BSBSTR602)
- Manage organisational finances (BSBFIN601)
- Contribute to strategic workforce planning (BSBHRM614)
- Provide leadership for the program (BSBPMG633)
- Lead corporate social responsibility (BSBSUS601)
- Contribute to the development of learning and development strategies (BSBHRM613)
Who is the BSB60420 designed for?
The Advanced Diploma is not the right qualification for everyone, and it is worth being honest about that. It is specifically designed for people who are already operating at, or clearly moving toward, a senior or executive management level.
It is a strong fit if you are:
- A senior manager or department head who wants formal recognition of your strategic capabilities
- A BSB50420 Diploma graduate who is ready for the next step in your management career
- A business owner or director who wants to formalise the skills you have developed running your own organisation
- A mid-level manager with two or more years of full-time management experience who is targeting general manager or executive director roles
- A professional seeking a pathway into a Bachelor of Business or Management degree at an Australian university
- An international professional with a management background who wants an Australian-recognised qualification at the highest vocational level
If you are earlier in your management career and have not yet completed a BSB Diploma, the BSB50420 Diploma of Leadership and Management is the more appropriate starting point. AIMT offers both, and many students complete the Diploma before progressing to the Advanced Diploma.
How does assessment work?
Like all VET qualifications, the BSB60420 uses competency-based assessment in which you demonstrate competency across each unit through a range of assessment methods suited to the strategic level of the course:
- Research projects and written reports
- Business plans and strategic analysis tasks
- Case studies involving complex organisational scenarios
- Presentations to simulated senior leadership groups
- Role plays and interactive activities in simulated work environments
At this level, the expectation is that you draw on real workplace experience and apply it to the assessment tasks. The more management experience you bring into the classroom, the more meaningful the learning and the stronger your assessments.
What jobs does the BSB60420 open up?
The Advanced Diploma prepares graduates for senior management, executive, and strategic leadership roles across all industries. Common job titles and salary ranges for BSB60420-relevant positions in Australia include:
| Role | Typical salary range (AUD) |
| General manager | $120,000 – $180,000 |
| Operations director | $140,000 – $200,000 |
| Executive director | $150,000 – $220,000 |
| Chief executive officer | $150,000 – $300,000+ |
| Senior operations manager | $120,000 – $160,000 |
| Regional manager | $110,000 – $160,000 |
| Business development director | $130,000 – $180,000 |
Salary ranges are indicative and vary by industry, employer size, location, and individual experience. Source: SEEK and Glassdoor Australia, 2026.
Where does the BSB60420 lead next?
Completing the Advanced Diploma opens two significant further pathways.
The first is into senior and executive employment. The BSB60420 is the highest-level vocational management qualification in Australia, and graduates are qualified for general manager, executive director, and CEO-level roles across any industry.
The second is into higher education. At AQF Level 6, the Advanced Diploma is a recognised pathway into Bachelor of Business and Bachelor of Management programs at Australian universities. Many universities offer credit transfer arrangements that allow Advanced Diploma graduates to enter directly into the second year of an undergraduate degree, significantly reducing the time and cost of completing a bachelor qualification.
If you are considering further study after completing the BSB60420, speak with the AIMT admissions team about pathway options and which Australian universities have formal credit arrangements for this qualification.
How does the BSB60420 compare to the BSB50420 Diploma?
If you are deciding between the two qualifications, our detailed comparison article covers everything you need to know: Diploma vs Advanced Diploma of Leadership and Management: which level is right for you?
The short version: choose the Diploma if you are in or moving into mid-level management. Choose the Advanced Diploma if you are already operating at a senior level or have completed the Diploma and are ready for the next step.
Why study the BSB60420 at AIMT?
AIMT is a private Registered Training Organisation (RTO), accredited by ASQA, with National Provider Code 22316. The BSB60420 carries CRICOS Course Code 105983E, meaning it is fully available to international students on a student visa.
You learn alongside other management professionals, engage directly with experienced trainers, and develop your capabilities through discussion, case study work, and collaborative assessment activities that reflect the reality of senior leadership.
Ready to take the next step?
If you are ready to formalise your strategic leadership capabilities with Australia’s highest vocational management qualification, the AIMT admissions team can help you work out whether you meet the entry requirements, discuss upcoming intake dates, and explore whether Recognition of Prior Learning applies to your situation.
