Certificate III in Business (Administration)

Course Overview

Administration is the work that keeps an office running. Someone books the meetings, chases the unpaid invoice, fixes the broken spreadsheet, reorders the things that ran out, and looks after whoever has just walked in the door. The BSB30120 Certificate III in Business (Administration) trains you to be that person, and gives you a nationally recognised qualification to prove it.

The course is built around seven elective units chosen for administration work: business documents, spreadsheets, financial transactions, purchasing, schedules, resources and business risk. Six core units cover what every workplace expects on top of that, including workplace communication, teamwork, safety and wellbeing. 

You study online at your own pace, and there are no exams. Most students finish in 12 to 18 months.

Who this course is for

This is an entry-level qualification. You do not need office experience, and you do not need to have finished school.

It tends to suit people who are:

• Starting a first job and want something on the resume that employers recognise
• Coming back to work after time away and want an office role rather than shift work
• Already doing admin tasks at work without the qualification to back it up
• Moving out of retail, hospitality or a trade and into an office
• Running a small business and tired of guessing at the paperwork

If you already work in administration and aim to coordinate or supervise a team, the BSB40120 Certificate IV in Business (Administration) is a better starting point. If you want a broader business qualification rather than an office-specific one, look at the BSB30120 Certificate III in Business.

This course is ideal for those interested in business administration with limited experience, such as Year 10 graduates. Potential job roles include:

• Administrative Assistant
• Administration Officer
• Office Administrator
• Administrative Coordinator
• Junior Administrative Assistant
• Receptionist
• Customer Service Representative
• Records Clerk

You'll also explore digital technologies, apply critical thinking skills, and undertake project work relevant to business administration.

Course Units Overview

The BSB30120 Certificate III in Business (Administration) is made up of 13 units of competency: 6 core units set by the national training package, plus 7 elective units. The elective set Upskilled delivers is what focuses this qualification on office and administration work, so the units below are grouped by the job task they map to rather than listed in code order.

Business Documents and Spreadsheets

These units build the software skills that appear first in almost every administration job ad: producing professional business documents and building spreadsheets that other people can actually use.

• BSBTEC301 Design and produce business documents
• BSBTEC302 Design and produce spreadsheets

Accounts and Purchasing Support

Administration roles almost always touch money. These units cover processing transactions and reconciling accounts, and buying goods and services on behalf of the business.

• BSBFIN301 Process financial transactions
• BSBPUR301 Purchase goods and services

Office Coordination and Business Operations

This group covers the coordination work that keeps an office running day to day: managing diaries and appointments, keeping equipment and resources available, and identifying risks before they turn into problems.

• BSBOPS303 Organise schedules
• BSBOPS301 Maintain business resources
• BSBOPS302 Identify business risk

Workplace Communication and Teamwork

Every workplace expects this, whatever your job title. You build the written, verbal and non-verbal communication skills you use with colleagues, managers and visitors, along with the problem-solving approach expected of you in a team. 

• BSBXCM301 Engage in workplace communication
• BSBTWK301 Use inclusive work practices
• BSBCRT311 Apply critical thinking skills in a team environment

Safety, Wellbeing and Sustainable Practice

Your obligations at work, and the habits that go with them: workplace health and safety, looking after your own wellbeing, and working in an environmentally sustainable way.

• BSBWHS311 Assist with maintaining workplace safety
• BSBPEF201 Support personal wellbeing in the workplace
• BSBSUS211 Participate in sustainable work practices

Full unit descriptors are published on the national register at training.gov.au.

Key Skill Areas

By the end of the qualification, you will have a working set of office skills, grouped here by the kind of job they belong to:

Business Software and Documents

• Word processing: Produce letters, reports, templates and forms that follow a business style guide.
• Spreadsheets: Build, format and check spreadsheets using formulas, sorting, filtering and charts.
• Document standards: Apply naming, version control and filing conventions so records can be found again.
• Digital tools: Work confidently across the office software your employer uses for documents, email and calendars.

Accounts and Procurement Support

• Transaction processing: Prepare, process and check invoices, receipts and petty cash.
• Reconciliation: Match records, follow up outstanding accounts and keep an accurate audit trail.
• Purchasing: Raise purchase orders, compare supplier quotes and receipt goods against the order.

Office Coordination

• Diary and meeting management: Coordinate appointments, meetings and shared calendars for a team.
• Resource management: Track equipment, stock and supplies so the office is never caught short.
• Risk awareness: Identify business risks in your own work area and escalate them properly.

Professional and Workplace Skills

• Workplace communication: Communicate clearly in writing, in person and on the phone with staff, suppliers and visitors.
• Critical thinking: Work through everyday workplace problems methodically as part of a team.
• Inclusive practice: Work respectfully with people from a wide range of backgrounds.
• Work health and safety: Understand and act on your WHS duties in an office environment.
• Sustainability: Find and support more sustainable ways of working.

What you need to know

Entry Requirements

There are no formal entry requirements for the BSB30120 - Certificate III in Business course. To ensure you get the most out of your training, the following process applies:

Recommended Skills and Resources:

• Have the ability to read and write in English and display numeracy skills up to a minimum level of Year 10.
• Have access to a modern computer with high-speed internet.
• Have access to a device with audio/video recording and playback capabilities.
• Have basic computing skills, including the ability to make and upload short videos.

Self-Paced Learning and Course Duration

Upskilled's flexible, self-paced courses let you balance personal and work schedules. With a training plan to keep you on track, most students complete the course in 12-18 months, but motivated learners can finish faster. Speak with an Education Consultant to discuss your study and completion goals.

Assessment

This course will have you undertake summative and formative assessments, write reports and/or create a portfolio, and participate in role-playing scenarios. You'll also be working on a variety of projects that require your own research as well as answering various written/oral questions that apply the theory you learn into practice.

Work in a Simulated Workplace

By studying business with Upskilled, you'll engage in tasks and assessments that simulate a workplace environment. Our online learning platform, MyUpskilled, offers practical experiences to help you develop job-ready skills, complementing the theoretical components of your course.

Recognition of Prior Learning / Credit Transfer

You may be eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) or Credit Transfer (CT) with supporting evidence of prior education or work experience. This can reduce your study load or course duration. Speak with your Education Consultant before enrolment for details, or download the application from MyUpskilled after enrolment. A trainer will assess your eligibility.

Dedicated Business Trainers

Our business trainers are dedicated professionals with extensive knowledge and expertise in the field, keeping you updated on the latest industry trends. They offer qualifications in areas such as business administration, management, and finance, providing the guidance you need to excel in the business industry. The Business Faculty fosters a supportive learning environment by offering One-on-one ‘Ask Me Anything’ sessions on Zoom with your Program Coordinator, where you can receive personalised guidance and build confidence in your studies.