RPL for Advanced Diploma of Marketing and Communication

Already providing strategic direction in marketing and communications at an executive or senior leadership level? Turn your experience into the nationally recognised BSB60520 Advanced Diploma of Marketing and Communication — the highest VET-level marketing qualification in Australia.

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What Is RPL for the Advanced Diploma of Marketing and Communication?

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is an Australian Government-endorsed assessment pathway that allows experienced professionals to have their existing skills, knowledge and workplace experience formally assessed against the units of a nationally recognised qualification without completing full classroom-based study.

If you have been providing leadership and supporting strategic direction in the marketing and communications activities of an organisation — accountable for group outcomes and the overall performance of marketing, communications, advertising or public relations functions — you may already meet the competency requirements for the BSB60520 Advanced Diploma of Marketing and Communication.

The BSB60520 is an AQF Level 6 qualification under the BSB Business Services Training Package. It is the highest VET-level marketing qualification available in Australia, reflecting the role of individuals whose knowledge base may be highly specialised or broad within the marketing and communications field. First released 19 October 2020. Supersedes but is not equivalent to BSB61315 Advanced Diploma of Marketing and Communication.

Entry Requirements Apply: BSB60520 has formal entry requirements. You must have completed the 5 core units of BSB50620 Diploma of Marketing and Communication (or equivalent) and have 4 years equivalent full-time relevant work experience. Right Pathway will assess whether your background meets these requirements during your free eligibility check.

About the BSB60520 Advanced Diploma of Marketing and Communication

Qualification Level

AQF Level 6 - Advanced Diploma. The highest VET-level marketing qualification in Australia. For marketing directors, CMOs and heads of marketing. Release 1, first released 19 October 2020. Supersedes BSB61315.

Units of Competency

12 units total - 4 core units and 8 elective units. Electives drawn from Group A Marketing and Group B Transferable Skills. At least 2 units from Group A and 3 units from Group B must be selected.

Industry Settings

Executive marketing functions across corporate, government, agency and not-for-profit sectors. Applicable to any organisation where strategic marketing direction, advertising, public relations and communications performance is led at a senior executive level.

Career Pathway

The pinnacle VET marketing qualification. Supports progression to CMO, marketing director and VP of marketing roles. Also provides a strong foundation for graduate certificate and master degree programs in marketing, business and strategic communications.

Core Units Assessed in RPL

All 4 core units are assessed for every BSB60520 RPL candidate:

  • ✔ BSBMKG621 - Develop organisational marketing strategy
  • ✔ BSBMKG622 - Manage organisational marketing processes
  • ✔ BSBMKG623 - Develop marketing plans
  • ✔ BSBTWK601 - Develop and maintain strategic business networks

Elective Units

Group A - Marketing:

  • ✔ BSBMKG624 - Manage market research
  • ✔ BSBMKG625 - Implement and manage international marketing programs
  • ✔ BSBMKG626 - Develop advertising campaigns
  • ✔ BSBMKG627 - Execute advertising campaigns
  • ✔ BSBMKG628 - Lead organisational public relations

Group B - Transferable Skills:

  • ✔ BSBCRT611 - Apply critical thinking for complex problem solving
  • ✔ BSBLDR601 - Lead and manage organisational change
  • ✔ BSBOPS601 - Develop and implement business plans
  • ✔ BSBSTR601 - Manage innovation and continuous improvement
  • ✔ BSBTEC601 - Review organisational digital strategy
  • ✔ BSBFIN501 - Manage budgets and financial plans

Official Qualification Reference

BSB60520 is published on the National Training Register as the current Advanced Diploma of Marketing and Communication. Release 1, first released 19 October 2020. Supersedes but is not equivalent to BSB61315.

View BSB60520 on training.gov.au

Entry Requirements — Important

BSB60520 has two mandatory entry requirements:

1. Prerequisite units: You must have completed the 5 core units of BSB50620 Diploma of Marketing and Communication or equivalent competencies — BSBMKG541, BSBMKG542, BSBMKG552, BSBMKG555 and BSBPMG430.

2. Work experience: You must have 4 years equivalent full-time relevant work experience in marketing or communications. Right Pathway will assess whether your background meets both requirements during your free eligibility check.

The Complete Marketing Pathway

BSB60520 is the final step in the BSB marketing qualification pathway: BSB40820 Certificate IV → BSB50620 Diploma → BSB60520 Advanced Diploma. Right Pathway can support you through any or all three qualifications via RPL, structured to your experience level and career goals.

Career Outcomes and Salary with BSB60520

The Advanced Diploma of Marketing and Communication is the highest VET-level marketing qualification in Australia and supports executive-level marketing and communications leadership roles.

Marketing Director

$130,000 - $200,000

Per year. Providing strategic direction and leading the marketing function of an organisation across all channels and markets. BSB60520 is the recognised Advanced Diploma-level qualification for marketing directors and heads of marketing seeking formal recognition of their executive-level strategic marketing skills.

Chief Marketing Officer

$160,000 - $280,000

Per year. Leading the entire marketing and communications function of an organisation at C-suite level. BSB60520 is the highest VET-level marketing qualification in Australia and is the recognised formal qualification for CMO and VP of Marketing roles across corporate and government sectors.

Head of Communications or PR

$120,000 - $180,000

Per year. Leading organisational public relations, strategic communications and brand reputation management at an executive level. BSB60520 with public relations electives is the recognised qualification for heads of communications and PR directors across corporate, government and agency environments in Australia.

Salary ranges are indicative for Australia 2026. Actual remuneration varies by industry, employer, sector and level of experience.

Who Can Apply for RPL - BSB60520?

RPL for the Advanced Diploma of Marketing and Communication is suitable for senior marketing and communications executives who provide strategic direction and are accountable for the overall performance of marketing, communications, advertising or public relations functions.

  • ✅ Marketing directors with 4 or more years of experience leading organisational marketing strategy and marketing functions
  • ✅ Chief Marketing Officers with experience leading the entire marketing and communications function at C-suite level
  • ✅ Heads of marketing with experience developing organisational marketing strategy and managing marketing processes
  • ✅ Heads of communications or PR directors with experience leading organisational public relations and strategic communications
  • ✅ Senior agency leaders with experience managing client marketing strategy and leading advertising or PR campaigns at a strategic level
  • ✅ International marketing executives with experience managing international marketing programs and global brand strategy
  • ✅ Overseas marketing executives with international senior marketing leadership experience seeking Australian Advanced Diploma recognition

Entry Requirements for BSB60520

BSB60520 has two mandatory entry requirements:

1. Prerequisite units: You must have completed the 5 core units of BSB50620 Diploma of Marketing and Communication or equivalent competencies — BSBMKG541, BSBMKG542, BSBMKG552, BSBMKG555 and BSBPMG430.

2. Work experience: You must have 4 years equivalent full-time relevant work experience in marketing or communications. Right Pathway will assess whether your background meets both requirements. Check your eligibility here.

Don't yet hold BSB50620?

If you do not yet hold the BSB50620 Diploma of Marketing and Communication or equivalent, Right Pathway can support you through the full qualification pathway via RPL — BSB40820 Certificate IV, BSB50620 Diploma and BSB60520 Advanced Diploma — structured to your experience level and progressed as efficiently as possible. Learn about BSB50620 RPL here.

What Evidence Do You Need?

RPL is evidence-based. You need to demonstrate you already have the skills. Here is what typically counts as valid evidence for BSB60520:

  • ✔ Employment records - position descriptions, contracts or letters confirming your executive marketing or communications role and duration
  • ✔ Organisational marketing strategy - marketing strategies, strategic plans or brand frameworks you have developed for your organisation
  • ✔ Marketing plans - annual or multi-year marketing plans you have developed and implemented at an organisational level
  • ✔ Advertising campaign documentation - campaign briefs, creative strategies or post-campaign reports for major advertising campaigns you have led
  • ✔ PR and communications strategy - public relations strategies, crisis communications plans or media relations frameworks you have developed
  • ✔ Business network evidence - board memberships, industry association roles, strategic partnership agreements or stakeholder engagement records
  • ✔ Budget and financial records - marketing budget plans, financial performance reports or ROI analyses at an organisational level
  • ✔ Referee letters - from CEOs, boards, managing directors or major clients confirming your executive marketing leadership and strategic outcomes
  • ✔ Prior qualifications - BSB50620 or equivalent, any completed executive education, marketing certifications or prior qualifications

What evidence do most marketing executives already have?

Most senior marketing executives and marketing directors already have substantial evidence from their strategic leadership activities. You do not need to create anything new - just gather and organise what you already have.

  • Your executive position description confirming your strategic marketing role
  • An organisational marketing strategy or annual marketing plan you have developed
  • A major advertising or PR campaign you have led with outcomes
  • A marketing budget or financial performance report you have managed
  • Evidence of strategic business networks — board, industry body or partnership roles
  • A reference letter from your CEO, board chair or major client

Right Pathway helps you identify, organise and present your evidence in the format RTO assessors require for BSB60520.

Overseas Executive Marketing Experience

If you have held executive marketing or communications leadership roles overseas, your international experience can contribute to your RPL evidence portfolio for BSB60520. Right Pathway has supported marketing directors and CMOs from the UK, Ireland, USA, India, Singapore, South Africa and across Asia in achieving Australian Advanced Diploma-level marketing qualifications through RPL. Check your eligibility here.

How the RPL Process Works

Three clear steps - from enquiry to qualification.

Free Eligibility Check

Complete our free online eligibility assessment. We review your executive marketing and communications history, confirm you meet the entry requirements for BSB60520 and tell you honestly if RPL is the right pathway for you — including whether you need to first achieve BSB50620 or BSB40820.

Build Your Evidence Portfolio

Right Pathway guides you through gathering and organising your strategic evidence. We provide templates, checklists and one-on-one support to ensure your portfolio meets the RTO assessor requirements for all 12 units of BSB60520 including organisational marketing strategy, marketing processes, marketing plans and strategic business networks.

Assessment and Certification

Your evidence is assessed by a qualified assessor from our partnered RTO. Once competency is confirmed across all 12 units, you receive your official BSB60520 Advanced Diploma of Marketing and Communication — the highest VET-level marketing qualification in Australia, accepted by employers across all industries and providing a strong foundation for graduate-level study.

Start Step 1 - Free Eligibility Check

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about RPL for BSB60520.

BSB60520 has two mandatory entry requirements. First, you must have completed the 5 core units of BSB50620 Diploma of Marketing and Communication or equivalent competencies — BSBMKG541, BSBMKG542, BSBMKG552, BSBMKG555 and BSBPMG430. Second, you must have 4 years equivalent full-time relevant work experience in marketing or communications. Right Pathway will assess whether your background meets both requirements during your free eligibility check.

The RPL process for BSB60520 typically takes between 6 to 12 weeks, depending on how quickly you can gather your strategic evidence. Most senior marketing executives find they already have substantial evidence from their leadership activities. Right Pathway supports you through every step of the process.

Yes - Right Pathway can support you through the complete BSB marketing qualification pathway via RPL. If you have 4 or more years of senior marketing experience, you may be eligible to progress through all three qualifications — BSB40820 Certificate IV, BSB50620 Diploma and BSB60520 Advanced Diploma — in sequence. Each qualification must be formally achieved before progressing to the next. Right Pathway will map the most efficient pathway for your specific background during your free eligibility check.

BSB60520 is an AQF Level 6 qualification, which sits at the same AQF level as an Associate Degree. Many Australian universities offer credit recognition for BSB60520 toward bachelor degree programs in marketing, business and communications. Some universities also offer credit toward graduate certificate and master degree programs for applicants who hold BSB60520 combined with substantial industry experience. Right Pathway can advise on university credit pathways available to BSB60520 graduates.

BSB60520 is the current Advanced Diploma of Marketing and Communication, superseding but not equivalent to BSB61315. First released 19 October 2020 with significantly updated units reflecting modern executive marketing practice including organisational digital strategy review, innovation and continuous improvement, and leading organisational change. If you hold BSB61315, Right Pathway can advise on whether your existing qualification meets current employer requirements.

Ready to Get Australia's Highest VET Marketing Qualification?

Your executive marketing and communications leadership experience is valuable. Let Right Pathway help you turn it into the nationally recognised BSB60520 Advanced Diploma of Marketing and Communication — the highest VET-level marketing qualification in Australia.

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