
Australian College of Physical Education
Diploma of Football (Development, Management and Performance)
Nationally Recognised Higher EducationThe Diploma of Football (Development, Management and Performance) will prepare you with the skills, knowledge and understanding for a range of future career paths in the football industry.
In this unique specialised diploma, you will explore a range of football codes (eg, soccer, rugby league, rugby union, AFL, rugby 7s, wheelchair rugby, futsal, touch football) and will learn how these global sports deliver exemplary practice in contexts such as coaching, officiating, community and participation, inclusion, management skills, and player development and wellbeing.
Designed in collaboration with the football industry, classes are taught by industry experts and revolve around real-life case studies of football professionals, clubs, and organisations. Work-integrated learning placements are a key aspect of this course where you will experience a minimum of 45 hours of placements in football environments.
Course Duration
- 1 year full-time or part-time equivalent
Intake dates
- 4 August 2025 (Semester 2 2025)
- 2 March 2026 (Semester 1 2026)
Delivery mode
Australian College of Physical Education offers this course through the following delivery modes:
On campus
Work with instructors and classmates in a supportive and collaborative environment.
Online
Set your own study schedule and balance study with your other commitments.
Blended
Combine the flexibility of online learning with the support of on campus learning.
Work Placement
Minimum of 45 hours of placements in football environments.This course is designed to be flexible and can be studied through a combination of on-campus, online, and blended delivery.
Locations- 10 Parkview Drive, Sydney Olympic Park, NSW 2127, NSW
Entry requirements
Domestic Students
- There are no mandated entry requirements.
The good news is our courses are not ATAR-dependent. Instead, you can be considered for admission via one of the following criteria:
- A minimum NSW HSC (Higher School Certificate) or equivalent meeting required standards in relevant subjects.
- Performance in relevant year 11 results for early entry pending release of HSC results.
- An Associate Diploma, Diploma, Advanced Diploma, or Tertiary Preparation Certificate from a TAFE or other recognised VET provider qualification.
- A completed Certificate IV from a TAFE or other recognised VET provider qualification plus completed year 11 or an equivalent.
- One year of full-time or an equivalent study in a degree course at a recognised higher education institute in Australia or an equivalent.
- Satisfaction of entry requirements specified under formal articulation arrangements as determined by the ACPE Academic Board.
- Completion of a Big Picture Education Portfolio at a Big Picture School, supported by a recommendation from the school principal.
- A recognised overseas qualification with demonstrated proficiency in English.
- Demonstration to the CEO or the Dean’s satisfaction of good selection prospects as a student (for example, relevant work experience and motivation to study), and ineligibility to compete for admission based on the above academic achievement criteria.
While a qualification can accepted for admission into a diploma, associate degree or bachelor’s degree study, a higher performance standard is required for bachelor’s degree entry. Applicants who don’t meet the required standard can pursue associate degree or diploma study. Upon successful completing the diploma or associate degree study, you can articulate into the bachelor’s degree and apply for Recognition of Prior Learning.
Alternate entry
ACPE offers a range of alternative entry pathways to help you enter a degree. If you are looking to turn your passion for sport into a career, an industry-recognised qualification from ACPE will give you the foundation you need.
Compulsory requirements
- All applicants must meet minimum computer literacy standards as determined by ACPE and have unrestricted access to the internet and a personal email account.
- Mac or Windows laptop with the following minimum requirements: 16GB of memory, 256 GB SSD, Intel Core i5 or i7 processor and a front facing webcam/camera.
- Domestic applicants must be 18 years of age or turn 18 within their first semester of study. International applicants must be 18 years of age or older.
- All applicants must meet the minimum English language requirements for their chosen course of study.
- For courses that involve work-integrated learning where you may deal with children (i.e. under 18 years of age), applicants require a valid “Working with Children Check” which needs to be supplied to ACPE before you commence your course.
Course fees
FEE-HELP Available
Eligible students can access FEE-HELP, a government loan program that lets you pay back your tuition fee.
Flexible Payment Plans
Spread the cost of your course with manageable instalments throughout the semester.
Upfront Payment
Prefer to pay your fees in full at the start? That option is available too.
Career opportunities
The Diploma of Football (Development, Management and Performance) will prepare you for the following roles.
Football Coach
A Football Coach trains and supports players to develop their skills, fitness and understanding of the game. You might work with community clubs, s...
Sports Coach
A Sports Coach provides training to athletes or teams of all abilities. You might be working with professional athletes or children who are learnin...
Sports Coordinator
A Sports Coordinator organises and manages sports activities and programmes for schools, clubs, or community organisations. You might work in educa...
Assistant Coach
Their responsibilities typically include developing skill-based drills, providing feedback to players, assisting with tactical strategies, and prom...
Sports Administrator
Sports Administrators focus on the business-side of sport, ensuring that sports clubs, venues, teams and athletes have appropriate documentation, f...
Performance Analyst
A Performance Analyst examines business processes and develops strategies to improve performance. You might look at ways to improve efficiency or i...